Deer and mole repeller

[kwolfe]

Now that the ground has thawed and the flowers are just starting to bloom, I have noticed two things. First, the deer are eating the new flower growth right down to the bulb. Second, I see little tunnel like depressions in one part of my yard. I like having the deer around, I just don't want them eating my plants. The little moles I could take or leave. How do I go about keeping the deer from eating my plants, trees, etc. How do I get rid of moles?

 

[PBinWA]

Shoot the deer and trap the moles. Those are the only things that are guaranteed to work.

Otherwise, you can spend every other week spraying deer repellant's on your garden and castor oil on your lawn. These work too but are a PIA.

 

[Killowatt]

Here in Western NY, I've had success with mothballs in the mole holes, and human hair (barbershop sweepings) for the deer. Cut an old nylon stocking in pieces and make a ball of hair about the size of your fist. Tie it to a stake or a branch and it'll repel deer for a month or longer. Deer smell the human scent and won't come near the area.

Sounds goofy but it's worked here! It's effective and cheap! My kinda fix!

Good Luck,
Killowatt

 

[DieselPower]

Don't have mole problems here but I do have deer problems with my young tree's I have planted being eaten and horned. I use little bags of hair on the trees and on other plants I spray egg yokes on every two weeks or so. The egg yokes seems to work prety good. In my garden I installed a 120 VAC outlet and have a small radio that stay's on 24/7 to scare them away. Haven't had a deer problem in the vegtable garden since I started playing rock music for them.

 

[archerynut]

Had a mole problem at the old house. Mothballs did the trick in no time flat. The only downside was the couple dead moles that I had to pick up in the yard. The deer haven't attacked the shrubs at the new house yet and I do like having them around. I think the human hair balls would work, cheap and I would try it. Don't know how long the hair balls would work before the deer become used to that scent.

 

[Thomas]

Moles...wood ashes spread heavy the first time,than couple more times lightly seems to work.

Deer...something like plastic qt soda bottle 1/2 full of bleach mix w/Comet or Ajax powder cleaner...leave the cap off...3 or maybe bottles place around.

 

[kwolfe]

OK, so far we have this:

Deer
- store bought repellent
- hair balls in stockings (that is wierd)
- cleaner in a bottle

Moles
- moth balls (dropped into the hole)
- caster oil (poured right on the ground where their tunnels are I am assuming)
- wood ashes (assuming also spread on the ground above their tunnels)

Looking forward to trying some of these out. PBinWA, I would like to shoot a couple of them. I love deer chili., however I live to close to the neighbors. Keep the suggestions coming if their are more (or more bizarre).

 

[Podunkadunk]

We recently planted blueberries, figs, pear, persimmon trees. Each time they start to bloom, deer were eating off the sprouts.

I figured I'd try the old "give them something else to eat trick". I poured out 50lbs of whole kernel corn for them away from the fruit trees.

It DIDN'T work! One morning I watched as a couple deer came in to eat rye grass and corn. Then one got "bored" with it and decided to head on down the smorgasboard to the young trees for a quick bite.

I finally took some regular fence wire, made circles and put around the saplings. I think it's deterred them somewhat. I have blooms now that actually make it.

This is primarily springtime activity. It'll subside somewhat when food sources are more abundant in their habitat.

Moles...I don't know. They don't kill the grass, so I don't bother with them. They do seem to run parallel to sidewalks and driveways though with their little mounds kicking up dirt onto such structures.

 

[jk96]

I had problems with bucks rubbing my 1-2" trees in the yard. My neibor swore by cutting up panty hose and hanging irish spring bar soap in them. I cut the soap into 4 even squares and replace it each spring. Haven't had any problems for 3 years now.

 

[kwolfe]

My moles don't leave the little mounds. It started when I saw a few holes next to the pad my AC sits on. It is actually a 6' pillar underground with a pad poured on top. They started their condo under and around that. Now, I see little depressions spreading off from that where they have made their tunnels. My worry is that they will kill the grass roots. I will try shoving some moth balls down the holes.

I like the soap idea. I'am thinking about shaving off some slivers here and their. Doesn't seem like the soap should hurt the plants.