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Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Anyone have tips on stopping deer from eating my apple trees? They are approximately 4 feet tall.

Thanks....Ray

4/6/2008 11:20:49 AM

Bethlehem CT

Hi Ray
I use this stuff calld tree-guard, it lasts all winter. From a november spraying. It's active ingredient is bitrex. (I use it on yew and all the evergreens around here.) None of the deer control products are cheap. Another option might be to try hanging fragrant bar soaps (irish Spring etc.) from the branches. It might be worth a shot.

4/6/2008 12:05:26 PM

dog

4/6/2008 7:45:48 PM

Central Oklahoma ( water_proofer@yahoo.com)

Shoot them !!!!

4/6/2008 10:31:05 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Making a enclosure with 2x4 fencing is about the only option. Once the get big enough it will not be a issue as they will prune to the browse line. If they are dwarf,,,goodluck

4/7/2008 1:55:41 PM

Powhatan,virginia

hot pepper wax sold in most garden stores and also human hair around the base of the tree

4/7/2008 8:11:48 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

We are talking urban deer here...scents just tell them those are the plants you don't want them to eat. Those are the ones they go for 1st.

4/8/2008 2:07:53 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Use small bars of soap, like you get at a hotel. Leave the wrapper on, just stick a piece of wire through it and hang it on the tree. The scent repels the deer, and the wrapper keeps it from melting too fast in the rain. I have used it for years and it works great.

4/8/2008 3:54:15 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We seem to be the largest CT distributor of deer repellents.

Deer get used to almost everything eventually. Commercial applicators are under intense scrutiny & they have budgets so their options are not so limited especially if they expect to maintain a reputation of integrity.

In order of performance which is similar to the order of popularity:

#1 Thiram + Miller's Hot Sauce held on with Vapor-Gard.
#2 Thiram + Miller's Hot Sauce held on with Transfilm.
#3 Thiram with just a binder (VaporGard or Transfilm)
#4 Tree-Guard (have chocolate ready in case you get Bitrex in your mouth)
#5 Deer-Off - Egg based material
#6 Bobbex - Putrid eggs like above (Home owner stuff)
#7 Liquid Fence (mostly home owner) we're discontinuing.

Deer-Off was invented by a woman in Stamford. Woodstream bought it & decided to limit the sale of the (far superior) powdered concentrate to just one client. The reailly available liquid has a reputatuin for clogging sprayers & not working quite as well as the powder (which also clogs sprayers).

Some of the Bartlet applicators swear by Coyote, Fox & other predator unrines. These are tough to work with since they require a "unrine station" to be hung from the tree. Kinda gross if you or the kids bump into it I suppose.

Since the first 2 options require buying & mixing 3 different materials I would recommend Tree-Guard. Just MAKE SURE you have some Hershey Kisses around when you use it. LOL

4/8/2008 11:50:21 PM

Ohio

Ray, your neighbors might think your nutz, but I put a small battery radio(and electric fence) in my patch to keep the animals out, and turn it down low, you would be surprised how the sound carries at night,plus your batteries will last longer. I could usually get 2 weeks out of my radio before i had to change the batteries.

4/11/2008 6:08:37 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It would be fun to be Brooks' neighbor! LOL

4/11/2008 10:43:01 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

1 oz lead between eye and ear! salt to tast

5/9/2008 4:50:33 PM