Evaluation of Commercial Deer Repellents on Ornamentals in Nurseries

Abstract

The efficacy of several new commercial deer repellents in a nursery setting was evaluated from October through March. Repellents evaluated were Deer-Away™, Tree Guard™, Holly Ridge, Bobbex™, and Deer-Off™. Damage was evaluated on yew (Taxus x media L. ‘Densiformis’, Taxus x media Rehd. ‘Nigra’, Taxus baccata Rehd., and Taxus baccata L. ‘Repandens’), holly (Ilex x meserveae S.Y Hu ‘Blue Princess’ and Ilex x meserveae S.Y Hu ‘China Girl’) and Juniper (Juniperus chinensis L. ‘Keteleeri’). Plots received between 0% and 96% deer browse damage. Both Deer Away™ and Holly Ridge significantly reduced browsing. Tree Guard™ and Deer Off™ reduced browsing when feeding intensity was low.