Deer Control For Your Lawn
Deer are beautiful creatures. However, most homeowners can agree that they have no business being in yards. A few deer can wreak havoc on any lawn, leaving the property owner to wonder how they can control a species that seems to have an ingenious knack for getting into places where they aren't wanted.
Deer usually venture into a yard looking for food. Although the homeowner may not spot them, the deer leave signs. One of the most obvious is their droppings. Deer scat looks like small, round marbles. It may be left in a pile, but sometimes the deer doesn't pause so there is a trail instead. Deer are large animals, which means they can leave a sizable amount of droppings, and this can be bad news for any lawn.
Deer urine also may be detrimental to the lawn. Once again, because deer are large, they are capable of expelling massive amounts of urine. This can easily leave an unattractive burn circle that is difficult to treat.
Of course, deer enter yards to find food. Grass is among their favorites. Deer aren't considerate enough to graze evenly. Instead, they'll browse in one spot and then another, leaving an uneven surface. They don't stop at just eating grass. Deer love all sorts of plants, trees and shrubs. Some of these plant species can actually attract deer to your yard.
The good news for homeowners is that deer are not always a year-round problem. They migrate according to where food is available, which means that they may leave your yard alone in the winter or at other times. Unfortunately, some deer seem to believe that homeowners offer a smorgasbord all year long. This makes it imperative to find ways to control deer.
Controlling Deer Attacking Your Lawn
There are many tried-and-true methods for controlling deer in a yard. These methods are perfectly humane and do not hurt the deer. They simply encourage the animals to look elsewhere for a free meal.
One of the best ways you can discourage deer from grazing on your property is by not planting the trees, shrubs and plants that they love to eat. Species like sagebrush, hawthorne, vine maple, salmonberry and elderberry are recognized favorites. Choose deer-resistant varieties instead. Currants, spruce, boxwood, bayberry and ginko all are avoided by deer. To find more deer-resistant plants, visit the local nursery and ask them to help you identify plants that won't attract deer.
Motion-activated sprinklers are perennially popular for deterring deer. An infrared sensor detects movement, which then activates the sprinkler. Some models also emit a startling sound. The sprinkler scares away the deer, leaving your lawn safe.
According to Frank Khoshgam at Green Top Lawn Care:
An application of organic Milorganite fertilizer also is recommended. It can be spread across the entire lawn, depositing helpful nutrients while keeping deer away. While some people may have heard of liquid deterrents, these tend to be expensive. Moreover, mowing the lawn will quickly remove the deterrent, rendering it ineffective. For even more deer-control techniques, it makes sense to contact a local lawn care professional.
Green Top Lawn Care is a Euless Texas Lawn Care Company specializing in Fertilization and Weed Control as well as Lawn Surface Insect Control.
