If you are building a fence, make sure it is tall enough. 4 feet is an excuse for deer gymnastics practice. I have seen a deer clear a 12 foot enclosure fence, granted on the downslope. The doe was literally munching grass taller in the enclosure. Eight feet is generally recommended.
I have tried electric fence, which was a failure. However, I am going to rewire the 30 feet, but this time put peanut butter on the wire, so the deer get a not so friendly zap, but necessary for the apple espalier and standard roses to survive.
Once deer discover your landscape you are marked territory. They keep coming back, with friends! I had running ducks and geese. Their feed attracted the deer. The running ducks and geese attracted the coyote and bobcat, but that is another story. Because, fencing can be costly and intrusive, I have experimented with other ideas.
Scent-based deer repellents get mixed results. Irish Spring soap works for awhile during the summer, but then deer become used to the scent and ignore the bars.
Deer repellent sprays work by using strong, unpleasant scents such as garlic, mint, cinnamon or bitter tastes to deter deer. There are commercial products available like Bobbex, Liquid Fence. and Deer Out. I have personally used Plantskydd which works. However, here is the yang. It is expensive and needs to be reapplied if rained on. This is not a problem during the summer, unless you have someone else water your roses and they put the sprinkler on instead of using the soaker hose. In winter, sprays are useless, because it constantly rains in Oregon. I have included several homemade spray recipes:
Ingredients:
1 raw egg
1/2 cup milk (or yogurt, sour cream, or expired cream)
1 tablespoon cooking oil (helps the mixture stick to plants)
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap (acts as an emulsifier and sticker)
1 gallon water
Instructions
1. Combine the egg, milk, cooking oil, and dish soap in a blender or a large jug.
2. Blend the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Pour the mixture into an empty one-gallon container and fill the rest with water.
4. Shake well to ensure everything is mixed.
5. Let it "ripen" for 24 hours at room temperature for a more potent (and stinky) solution,
though it can be used immediately.
6. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle or a garden sprayer and apply generously to the
leaves and stems of vulnerable plants, avoiding edible parts.
7. Reapply every two weeks, or immediately after a heavy rain.
Alternative spicy garlic recipe
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons hot sauce (e.g. Tabasco) or cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons minced garlic ( or 3 crushed cloves)
3 raw eggs
1 gallon of water
Instructions
1. Blend the hot sauce, garlic, and eggs with a small amount of water to create a
smooth mixture.
2. Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove large solids that could clog the sprayer.
3. Add the strained liquid to a gallon of water in a jug or sprayer.
4. Spray on your plants, making sure to cover the foliage.
Apply either spray on a dry day. For the repellent to stick and dry on the leaves, apply it when there is no immediate forecast of rain.
Rotate repellents. Deer can get used to a particular scent or taste over time, so rotating between homemade or commercial repellents can increase effectiveness.
Do not use on edibles. These repellents have strong odors and flavors which will have a negative impact on fruits and vegetables.
Combine sprays with other physical deterrents like strong smelling border plants (lavender, marigolds and onion).
Deer and Critter Control
There is one rule to live by if you grow roses and have deer present. FENCE!
Cute animals, yes. But roses equate with tiramisu on the deer menu. Roses offer proteins and essential nutrients for deer, which is why roses are a common food source. All of the rose plant, including leaves, soft shoots, buds, and thorns, are consumed by deer.
Deer are immune to hoses activated by sudden movement...they play with the spray, imbibe the water.
Lights activated by movement are supposed to act as deterrents when they flash on....deer use them as landing lights to the bushes.
Trust me, I have tried both.
Dogs are wonderful deer security. My 125 lb Newfie considers deer and raccoon patrols her life's work. She has rounds from noon to 1 or 2 in the morning. However, she sleeps. And is definitely not animated in the am. And the deer know her routine. So between 3 am and up to 7 am, when I am usually up, the buffet crowd arrives. And usually greet me right out the window. The neighborhood awakes to my screams at the deer. But not the dog, who feels she has done her duty up to early am and needs her beauty sleep.
If fencing becomes necessary, creating a physical barrier with small mesh (1-inch or less) and height (2-3 feet) requires the bottom be buried or flared out to stop digging. Use galvanized or PVC-coated wire to prevent chewing and supplement with electric fence for a stronger deterrent. Rabbits will chew through plastic netting.
Rabbits
We have the common brush rabbit, a small grayish-cottontail type. It is found in thick brush. Also, dumped domestic rabbits are common.
Rabbits love roses especially new growth.
As discussed with deer above, rabbit repellents use strong scents or tastes or a predator decoy such as an owl. The commercial sprays listed above will work and the homemade recipes as well. Physical barriers like fencing are effective, while plants like marigolds onions and catnip naturally repel them. Coffee grounds (used) are an excellent deterrent also offering nutrition. Ammonia, used cautiously, works well.