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Love your garden and don’t want deer to come and ruin it? Well, this can be a problem for you no more, as there are many deer repellents on the market today.
People put so much effort into cultivating their garden and do not want anyone to ruin it. Since each plant takes so much time and care, nobody would want their plants to go in the stomachs of deer.
So, if you want to buy a deer repellent, here in this article is all the information you need to make the right decision.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Deer Repellents
- OUR TOP PICK: Enviro Pro 1025 Deer Scram Repellent
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent, 2-Pound
- BEST ELECTRONIC REPELLENT: Univerayo Deer Repellent Solar Predator Control Light
Comparison Chart of the Best Deer Repellent
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Types of Deer Repellents
The market is brimming with deer repellents of all kinds. From smelly chemical ones to the electric ones, there are repellents of all sorts. Here are some common types you can choose from.
Natural Deer Repellent Sprays
Since people are more conscious about the conservation of the environment, there are organic repellents. There are all-natural sprays with plant-friendly ingredients that help keep the deer away. You need to spray them directly on the plants without having to worry about any harmful effects.
Physical Deterrents
There are many deer repellents that physically prevent the deer from coming closer. Here are some of the most widely used physical deterrents:
Netting
You can put a net over individual plants or groups of plants. This can effectively keep the deer away. However, if you feel that it is a hassle putting nets over every plant, you can section your garden.
Water Jets
There are some water jets that have sensors. They sense motion and eject water when a deer comes near.
Electric Repellents
Electric repellents give mild shocks to deer when they come near. They sometimes even lure the deer in with chemicals and then give them shocks.
What Makes Great Deer Repellent
Deer repellents have many qualities that help them keep deer away effectively. What ideally makes one great are the following factors:
Lesser Price
Since there are a lot of deer repellents on the market, their pricing differs. The best product is the one that has the lowest price and has the most benefits. So, you have to buy one that offers the most effective way of keeping the deer away.
Organic Nature
Deer repellents should be made of organic ingredients that do not harm the environment. Since gardens are mostly around your house, they need to have ingredients that are safe. So, such kinds are the best ones as they do not put much pressure on the planet.
Mild Odor
Even if you need to protect the garden from deer, you do not want it to be smelly, right? Top deer repellents have a mild and bearable odor that does not irritate humans. The milder the odor is, the better the deer repellent will be as it helps you enjoy gardening more. Also, if the product you use has a strong smell, you cannot show your garden off to your guests, can you?
Review of the Best Deer Repellents
Since you now have some idea of what you want, it is time to examine some of the best options. Here are some of the best from different categories to shortlist the choices for you.
Best Overall:
Enviro Pro 1025 Deer Scram Repellent
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have reported great usability and prefer this over the competition because it has a very mild smell. The only noticeable smell is that of cloves, which is not bad at all. However, there have been reports of pets having digestion issues due to it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Enviro Pro deer repellent stands out to us because of its natural granular formula. The mix is healthy for plants too as it keeps away even pests. Moreover, the repellent works well with animals but does not displease humans. This makes it an even better repellent for gardens.
Who Will Use This Most
People who do not have a very neat garden will like this the most. It has granules, which get quite messy and make the garden look untidy. This is why it's better to use it in gardens that are not very prim and proper.
What Could Be Improved and Why
Overall, this is great and does not need much modification. But, it needs to have a formula that does not scare away insects that assist in pollination. The granules also lose effectiveness when they stay under sunlight. So, their life under sunlight needs improvement as well.
Bottom Line
To conclude, this Enviro Pro deer repellent is amazing in all aspects. It scares away deer quite well and has organic ingredients. The packaging and storage is impressive as well, making it so much better.
Best for the Money:
Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent, 2-Pound
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have mixed views regarding the use of Liquid Fence deer repellent. Some of them love it, as well as the way it works. However, some others complain about the strong smell and that animals sometimes get immune to it. Buyers have also reported that it keeps deer away, along with most other animals as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Liquid Fence deer repellent stands out to us because of its granular formula. Its application is easy and exceptionally expedient. The quantity of the product is worth the money that you spend on it too. We like it because it works for greater time periods, meaning that you do not have to use it frequently.
Who Will Use This Most
This deer repellent is great for all gardeners, but it works best for people who live in suburban areas. As there are so many deer in such areas, it is hard to take any risks. So, to avoid frequent application and maintain constant deer repulsion, it is fantastic.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This deer repellent has positive feedback from users, but some of them want some improvements too. The primary improvement that it needs is to make the smell more bearable. It is particularly unpleasant when used on plants near windows. The smell then wafts into the house, disturbing residents and guests.
Bottom Line
On the whole, this deer repellent is excellent and gets the job done. The quantity of the repellent is great too, and it works in all seasons. The smell is off-putting and needs improvement, but other than that this repellent is fine.
Best Electronic Repellent:
Univerayo Deer Repellent Solar Predator Control Light
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are very happy with this electric garden guard. They have reported better sleep at night as deer do not interrupt them anymore. They also like it because they do not have to worry about applying the repellent frequently. That said, other buyers have reported a slight problem when the system runs out of charge.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This stands out to us because of its easy installation and effective functionality. The best thing about it is that it is solar-powered. This means that it does not need any extra energy input and you do not have to worry about bills. The fact that it runs for 12 hours on a charge of 5 hours makes it a favorite as well.
Who Will Use This Most
This solar-powered product is great for all garden keepers as it suits everyone’s needs. However, people who have big gardens will find it most useful. If they do not want to keep tending every single plant with chemical repellents but have been plagued by deer, this product will be a life saver.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This does not need much improvement as it gets the work done excellently. Still, it would be a lot better if it could rotate so that the deer do not accommodate to its position. It will be better if the light is a little heated as well.
What Could Be Improved and Why
Considering all this, this product is wonderful because it needs no external energy input. This cuts down on the cost as well and has a great range. The red light flashes far in the distance, making it much better than other repellents.
Best for Gardens and Plants:
I Must Garden Deer Repellent
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are all very happy with this deer repellant by I Must Garden. There have been no complaints so far as it effectively keeps the deer away. That’s why they recommend it to everyone who has a garden and wants to protect it from harm caused by deer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Must Garden deer repellent stands out to us because of its natural and totally safe formula. The spray bottle is quite handy, and you can easily carry it around. It works on all kinds of plants and even helps them grow faster. This all-safe formula for pets, plants, and kids is our favorite.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have smaller gardens and grow edible plants will use this the most. The easy-to-use spray bottle helps in the easy application as well. Moreover, people who get more rain around the neighborhood will like its rain resistance.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This product by I Must Garden has a very impressive formula and safe chemicals. This is why it does not need much improvement. The only improvement needed is the size of the spray bottle. If the bottle were larger, it could save both time and money for gardeners.
Bottom Line
This deer repellent by I Must Garden is a winner as it is plant and environment-friendly. It keeps the deer away while making sure that there is no harm to the plants or the garden. The smell is also very nice, which makes it a better product than others on the market.
Best for Cars:
Save-A-Deer Whistle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are all very glad that they made their purchase. They love the fact that this humanely scares away deer, as well as other animals. This way, there is no risk of hitting any animals when you are driving off. And using this has been one of the greatest experiences for buyers as it makes no audible noise for humans.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because it is the smallest whistle for repelling deer in the market at present. The fact that it has both of the units in one frame is also impressive. In addition, the self-adhesive tape makes its application much easier.
Who Will Use This Most
People who live in areas populated by deer will use it the most. There is a high chance of a deer crashing into your car when you live in densely, deer-populated areas. Since it is better to have a guilt-free mind and a deer-free car grill, users love this whistle.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This is great and works well for deer, as well as other wild animals. To improve it, manufacturers can increase the range of the whistle frequency. This way, it can keep other animals like donkeys away as well. Other than this, the Save-A-Deer whistle needs no improvement.
Bottom Line
Keeping all this in mind, the Save-A-Deer whistle is an amazing product for cars. It scares away the deer without disturbing you or others. Humans cannot detect its sound, which makes it ideal for both long and short drives. So, this whistle is really the best deer repellent for cars.
Best for Trees:
Deer Out 32oz Concentrate Deer Repellent
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers have had very positive things to say about the Deer Out spray. They love that it does not stink like other deer repellents. The minty smell keeps a refreshing feel around the garden. They also love that it has an all-natural formula with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Deer Out stands out to us because of its 100% natural ingredients formula. It is totally safe for trees, as well as for you. The chemicals in the spray do not alter the growth of trees or affect edible plants. Furthermore, it works equally well for small plants and trees, making it even better.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have large gardens or backyards will use it the most. The spray needs very frequent application. So, if you spray it on the trees towards the outer side, it will protect the trees on the inside too. You just have to be very consistent in its use to enjoy its benefits.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This product surely has an amazing formula and useful ingredients. However, it still needs slight improvements. It needs more frequent application than the manufacturers recommend. So, it needs to have a formula that stays around for a longer period to save both time and money.
Bottom Line
So, considering everything, Deer Out is a superb deer repellent for trees. Since it has a nice minty smell, users find it to be a very adequate product. Additionally, the repellent is rain-resistant, so you do not have to run to spray it after every rainfall.
Best Organic Repellent:
Bobbex Deer Repellent 32 oz.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are both happy with the usefulness of this product and disturbed by its odor. They love that it keeps the deer away. However, its smell disturbs them a lot. A buyer even reported that even when the bottle is capped for storage, it stinks. So, users like its functioning while they dislike its smell.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its compact spray bottle and easy application. We also like it because it works well both on trees and small plants and foliage. So, the way it covers a range of different sizes of plants is great. Also, it is completely organic and does not harm the plants in any way.
Who Will Use This Most
Folks who live in deer-populated areas will use this the most. The spray does not repel the deer away; rather, it stops them from eating the plants. This is great as you cannot keep the deer away all the time. Some of the daring ones will enter the garden, no matter what. But, surely, no deer will like munching on plants with this deer repellent on.
What Could Be Improved and Why
There are two improvements that this organic deer repellent needs urgently. The smell is unbearable and disturbs the users even when they are spraying it. So, a milder smell will help the gardeners spray it properly. The other improvement can be dealing with the sulfurous smell that comes from tomatoes when you spray it on them.
Bottom Line
After seeing all the details, we have no doubt about this being a great deer repellent. The two problems are not something unsolvable. So, if you want your garden to be safe from all the attacking deer, just spray it frequently.
Best Deer Repellent Soap:
WHIFF Deer Repellent Orchard Soap Bar
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are happy with its use. They say that they were apprehensive of its price. But the results were worth the price. They also love that they have to do all the hard work only once a season. Buyers like its natural and mild smell as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This stands out to us because it lasts for quite a commendable time. The soap bars are easy to hang, and they work well. In addition, they are very environment-friendly as they have natural ingredients. Moreover, the fact that rain does no harm to them is impressive too.
Who Will Use This Most
The people who have large gardens and cannot spray deer repellents every week will love it. The soaps do not make any mess, so even if you have nice and tidy gardens, they will be ideal for your use. People who live in areas with more rainfall will like it as well.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The only little improvement needed is the addition of some stands or easy-to-hang threads in the wrapping. The wrapper comes off in strong winds, so it should be improved too.
Bottom Line
All in all, the WHIFF soap bars are ideal for people who want dry deer repellents. They cover a wider area, so they are great for larger gardens too. Their easy application, ease of use, and the time for which they last are all impressive.
9. EPIC Deer Scram Professional Grade 25lbs
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers are very happy with this product. They particularly love the fact that it has all-natural and organic ingredients. Most of the ingredients support the growth of plants as natural fertilizers. Buyers have also reported that it does not harm their pets, even if they go near the plants.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because it has a strong deer repelling formula with purely organic ingredients. The garlic is popular for scaring deer away, and its smell is not too displeasing as well. This is why we love this, as it has a safe chemical composition.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have large gardens where they cannot keep spraying repellents all the time love it. Also, people who have their house’s main entrance opening in the garden will find it very palatable. The granules are not too smelly and do not give off an unpleasant vibe, so it is great.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The one thing that needs slight improvement is the mild smell of blood, which can be off-putting. Although the smell is not too strong, it is still disturbing when you get close to the plants. The other improvement can be to make it less thick so that there is no wastage.
Bottom Line
This deer repellent has all the features of a quality product, making it the best overall repellent. This is one of the safest repellents on the market as it has great, organic ingredients. Moreover, the area coverage is quite impressive, making it an incredible option.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Now that you know of the different products available, you need to know how to choose one for you. Here are some points that you need to consider:
Range
Not all products have the same range of area coverage. Some deer repellents work on individual plants while some work on groups of plants. Spraying on individual plants or working on small areas takes much time and effort that it tires you. So, you need to get deer repellents which have a broader range.
Timing
The time frame for which the deer repellents last matters as well. Some products work for days on end while some of them last for merely a few minutes or hours. So, you have to keep using the repellent more frequently, and that is an added hassle. To make the most out of a product, you have to consider the time for which it lasts.
Safety
The safety of your house and children is more important than the safety of your garden, right? This is why you need a deer repellent that causes no harm to the health of your family members. This applies to both the health and injury risks as some repellents physically deter the deer.
Conclusion
Summing it all up, your garden needs utmost care and effort from you. This is why you cannot risk any deer to come and harm your plants. So, you need the best deer repellents to protect your garden from the unwanted guests. Consider the range, timing, organic nature, and the health effects of a deer repellent before you buy one. Only then can you buy one that will effectively keep your garden beautiful and safe.