Repellents

Perhaps the most common question we get from our customers who are thinking about buying a tree, a shrub, or outdoor flower is, “Will deer eat this?” Our answer is always, “Well, if deer are hungry enough, they will eat just about anything.” And that is true even for deer-resistant plants (there is no such thing as a deer-proof plant). Because deer are curious creatures, they will frequently nibble on anything new that is planted in their territory. That’s why we always recommend that our customers spray new plantings with a deer repellent. Deer repellents contain a non-toxic combination of ingredients that deer (as well as antelope and elk) find repulsive. We have also found that spraying trees with a deer repellent keeps bucks from “horning” trees—that is, rubbing their antlers against the trunk and branches, which damages and sometimes kills the tree. We also carry repellents that also discourage other animals, for example, rabbits, mice, and snakes, from visiting gardens and other areas you wish to keep pest free. A sample of our repellents is pictured below.