Extension

As the crisp fall air arrives, many Oklahomans enjoy spending more time outdoors. The cooler temperatures are a welcome respite from the triple-digit summer heat.

Whether it’s watching football, roasting hot dogs and making s’mores around the fire pit, or simply enjoying an evening walk, fall is a great time to appreciate the landscape. Colorful mums and other seasonal plants add to the appeal.

Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones who find these pops of color attractive. White-tailed deer also enjoy a well-landscaped yard, especially as cooler temperatures arrive and natural vegetation begins to die back. With fewer food sources available, deer may turn to landscape plants, leaving behind uprooted flowers, stripped branches and damaged tree bark.

While homeowners may enjoy seeing wildlife in their yards, that appreciation fades quickly when favorite plants become breakfast, lunch and dinner for the local deer population. Fortunately, a few thoughtful landscape choices and management strategies can help keep deer damage under control.

One of the easiest ways to discourage deer is to choose plants they generally find less appealing. Pansies and tulips are popular choices for fall planting and spring color, but both are favorites among deer. Mums and daffodils, on the other hand, are generally left alone.

For a pop of color, consider annual herbaceous plants such as amaranth, cosmos, French marigold, heliotrope, lantana, periwinkle, salvia, signet marigold, snapdragon and zinnia.

Homeowners looking for herbaceous perennial flowers have several options, including bee balm, flax, foxglove, lamb’s ears, lavender, Lenten rose, primrose, ragwort, rosemary, sage, thyme, toad lily, iris, goldenrod and Shasta daisy.

There are also several woody plants that are less attractive to deer. These include buckthorn, Chinese junipers, dogwoods, Chinese holly, honey locust, Japanese flowering cherry, various pines, American holly, ginkgo, sumac, yucca, loblolly pine, boxelder and common boxwood.

Physical barriers are another way to protect the landscape. Fences can be effective, but they need to be about 8 feet tall to keep deer from jumping over them. For properties bordering wooded areas, installing a fence along the tree line may help discourage deer from entering the landscape. Young trees also need protection from browsing and antler rubbing. Wire cages placed around tree trunks can help protect tender bark. Secure the cages with metal posts to keep them in place.

Scare tactics may offer additional protection. Dogs are effective at discouraging deer, and an invisible dog fence may allow pets to patrol the yard and discourage unwanted visitors. However, homeowners should consider whether frequent barking could become more of a nuisance than the deer.

Repellents are another option. Thiram-based contact repellents, including Chaperone and Spotrete-F, as well as products made with putrescent egg solids, have demonstrated good results. However, repellents are not a cure-all. They can reduce damage but will not eliminate it, particularly when other food sources are scarce.

Repellent effectiveness varies depending on deer populations, the availability of other food sources, plant preferences and the season. Many products also do not withstand weather well and may need to be reapplied after rainfall. Always follow label directions when applying any repellent.

Ultimately, the best approach is to combine careful plant selection with physical barriers and other control methods. Homeowners should begin taking preventive measures before significant damage occurs. Once deer discover an easy food source in the landscape, convincing them to move on can be a challenge.