Do you prefer to make your own homemade deer repellent instead of buying costly concoctions? In that case, I am totally with you! As an organic gardener, I want to know what goes into my plants, and that includes pest repellents.
How To Make Natural Homemade Deer Repellent
While a lot of gardeners often ask how to keep deer away from their garden, it's interesting how many others like to invite them over. I must admit, I am one of those who grew up adoring Bambi and would love the sight of deer in the garden. But while seeing a few, especially in spring, is lovely, a full-scale invasion by Bambi and her entire family isn't exactly welcome. Of course, the best solution is to keep it natural and organic and these homemade deer repellent recipes could just be the solution you're looking for!
1. Egg And Milk Deer Guard
You Will Need:
- 1 piece egg
- a half cup of milk
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp liquid dish soap
- a gallon of water
How To:
Beat the eggs and milk, then add cooking oil, detergent, and water. Apply the mixture to plants using a sprayer. You can store the mixture in the refrigerator and reapply every two weeks and after heavy rain.
2. Animal Urine Deer Deterrent
You Will Need:
- Paper Cups
- Animal Urine (dog, coyote, or human urine)
- Black spray paint (optional)
- Florist foam
- Thin piece of tie wire
What To Do:
Set a cup upside down, then bore a small hole on top. Tie a piece of florist foam to one end of the wire then insert the other end to the tiny hole inside the cup. Soak the florist foam with urine until the foam has become saturated with the liquid. Tie the cups to the trees and bushes where you want deer repelled. This will be effective for a few weeks.
3. Homemade Deer And Rabbit Repellent
You Will Need:
- 2 cups of water
- 5 tbsps. cayenne pepper
- 5 cloves of garlic
- Sprayer
How To:
Mix all ingredients in a blender then pour into a covered container. Let it stand for 24 hours, strain, and mix with a gallon of water. Apply to plants using a sprayer. This can be effective as a rabbit repellent too.
4. Shredded Soap Homemade Deer Repellent
If you're not up to foul-smelling substances to keep deer from your plants, this one is good for you. Apparently, deer are averse to fragrant soaps like Irish Spring, Ivory, and Lifebuoy.
Materials and Ingredients:
- Soap bar of your choice
- Cheese grater or food processor
- Cheesecloth or fabric bags
What To Do:
Shred the soap into tiny pieces to make more soap bags. Scoop desired amount of the shredded soap into the bags and secure them with string. Tie the bags to the trees or plants you want to protect. You can leave the bags out rain or shine.
5. Liquid Soap Deer Repellent
You Will Need:
- Irish Spring or Ivory body wash
- Spray Bottle
- Water
How To:
Dilute 2 parts of body wash in 1 part of water. This will make the formula concentrated but easy to spray. Spray in areas where you want the deer to stay away. Apply frequently, especially after heavy rain.
6. Herbs Deer Deterrent Recipe
While plants such as azalea, apples, pear, cherries, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons are deer favorites, they are averse to herbs such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and chives. You can grow them around and near plants which they feed on, or you can also make a garden spray from these herbs.
Materials and Ingredients:
- Your choice of deer deterrent herbs or plants
- Water
- Blender
- Sprayer
What To Do:
Throw any or all of the herbs into a blender, then dilute with water. Pour the concoction into a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the deer's favorite plants for added protection. Herbs are also effective as a pest repellent.
7. Garlic And Pepper Pest Repellent Recipe
In times like this, it's really handy to be growing your own garlic and pepper plants and have lots of them on hand. This recipe, which can be effective as an all-around pest repellent is quite simple to follow:
You Will Need:
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Water
- Liquid dish soap
- Spray Bottle
How To:
Make a base for your recipe with garlic and red pepper flakes blended in a cup of water. Combine the base with another two cups of water and a teaspoon of liquid soap in a spray bottle. Spray on the plants you want to protect from deer. Again, this could be an effective pest repellent too.
8. Organic DIY Deer Juice Garden Spray Recipe
Materials and Ingredients:
- 2 bunches scallions
- 2 heads garlic
- 1 bar Fels Naptha soap
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup cayenne powder
- 1 cup chili powder
What To Do:
Blend or chop scallions and garlic thinly, then grate the soap bar. Place all the ingredients in a large piece of cheesecloth and tie it up securely. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with hot water then steep the bag in the water and cover it tightly. Let the tea sit for 1 week, and take the needed amount to fill a sprayer and spray away! You can also use this as a pest repellent for other common garden pests.
9. Natural Organic Deer Repellent
You Will Need:
- Cheesecloth or fabric bags
- Strings
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (don't worry, it isn't touching the plants)
- Bone Meal
- Blood Meal
- Essential Oils
How To:
Mix the ingredients then scoop a sufficient amount into the bags. Secure the bags with strings and hang them in trees and bushes 3 to 4 feet above the ground. Keep the bags dry to keep them smelling foul for the deer. Apparently, it won't smell bad enough to deter deer when wet.
Watch this video from Howcast on how to make a natural deer repellent:
This spring season, deer will be hungry from the long winter and eager to go on an eating spree. Avoid letting your garden become a target! Having a few deer nearby can be a cute and interesting attraction, but don't encourage their permanent stay, or you'll have more than you can handle!
Got ideas for keeping deer out of your garden? Please share in the comments below.
