DEER AND DAYLILIES
Deer are a major problem in many parts of the Connecticut--aa wel las other parts of
the country. It can be difficult to deter them once their feeding patterns are established.
There are many products available that seem to work with varying degrees of success.
Deer will eat anything if they are hungry. You can find many opinions about how to
deal with deer and will likely get a different response from any ten "experts".Here are
some thoughts:
We have deer in the wooded area in the rear of our property and never sustain damage
to our daylilies. Is there enough for them to eat in the woods? Do they smell our dogs
when they approach our property?
The only product I have used that is a "known" deer repellent is Milorganite. It is a
slow release fertilizer which daylilies like.I put it down in spring and fall. You can find it
at most garden centers. Some people do not like to use it because its origin is sewer
sludge in Milwaukee.
There are numerous commercial sprays on the market. Another product called "Deer
Scram" has had a high degree of success with some of my customers .It is made from
deer renderings and is supposed to elicit a fright response as opposed to other products
that taste foul. Some people use soap or human hair as a deterrent. My master gardener
instructor suggested that mixing things up by using different products may work best.
Fences need to be high enough --like 10 feet according to some. This can be expensive.
Noted hybridiizer Melanie mason of Buskirk NY uses her own method. She erects a
temporary electric fence in spring. This can be found at Agway or Tractor Supply. She
puts strips of aluminum foil laced with peanut butter on the fence. The deer will avoid
it after a few zaps and she actually can remove the fence after a month or two.
In the past we recommended a repellent to deter deer in an effort to help this
situation,based on a recipe a daylily enthusiast in the mid-west came up with. This
mixture is all natural, systemic,not harmful to the environment, and may need to be
applied only 2-3 times per year. Its primary ingredients are habanero peppers and rotten
eggs.We call it "Not Tonight Deer".Our initial reports on its use from a dozen or so
users have been favorable.
RECIPE FOR "NOT TONIGHT DEER"
1 bottle of habanero sauce, 6 eggs, crushed or fresh garlic,
1/4 c. olive oil as a surfactant.
Liquidefy in blender, food processor or Vitamix. Add enough water to equal one quart
and mix thoroughly. Strain several times. Let it steep for a couple of weeks so the eggs
can rot.
Strain again before using because the eggs seem to want to solidify. Use one cup of this
mixture to a gallon of water in your sprayer and saturate each leaf. I have been told
that it is a systemic so if the smell doesn't deter the deer after a few weeks, the taste
sure will. I recommend to use this in the spring and fall along with Milorganite.
Thanks to Roberta Bohach of Illinois for sharing this info.