Dear Deer: Please Go Away. Eat Somewhere Else Another Day.
If you’re having problems with deer eating your plants, here are some ideas that might help.

Deer Repellent Idea #1
From Rochelle Whiteman of the Milwaukee North (WI) Chapter.
I have found this method to deal with deer in my garden: Wearing rubber gloves, try mixing a little bit of Tangle Foot (very sticky – available at lawn and garden stores) with a little dried blood (purchased in a bag), with a bit of hair (from the barber’s floor). I spread a tiny bit of it on my giant Solomon seal leaves, at the tip of the top of the tallest ones – and they are protected. This year I didn’t do it, and the deer found them. I realize that in some instances a spray would work better for some plants, but the Tangle Foot does not wash off, and it lasts.

Deer Repellent Idea #2
From one of our advertisers, Monches Farm, a Wisconsin-based native-plant nursery, here’s a non-commercial deer repellent made with ingredients most of us have in our own kitchens. Shared by one of their customers, they’ve tried it there on the Farm, and their experience so far has been very positive:
1 Egg
1/2 cup Milk
1 Tbsp. Oil (we use Hot Chili Oil, but regular vegetable oil can also be used)
1 Tbsp. Dish Soap

Mix ingredients in gallon of jug of water (we use our empty milk gallons). Allow to “ferment” for several days or weeks. Filter out large sediment, and apply with sprayer.

Maryann is Editor of the Wild Ones Journal, and comes to the position with an extensive background in environmental matters of all kinds.

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