How Deer Browse Deterrents Work

Deer browse deterrents are a great way to keep deer from eating plants and shrubs. They use a mixture of natural scents and spices that make the plants smell or taste unpleasant to deer, making them less likely to eat. These deer browse deterrent products come in various forms, including liquid spray, granular pellets, and wire mesh. They all work by making the plants or shrubs taste bad or smell harmful to the deer.

Common Types of Deer Deterrents

• Scare devices: These keep deer away from an area with loud noises and flashing lights. They may also be motion activated.
• Chemical repellents come in spray bottles and can be applied directly onto plants and soil or spread throughout an area to deter deer.
• Natural repellents: These include garlic, peppermint oil, and rotten eggs! These are often combined with other deterrents because they don't last as long as chemical repellents.

Deers have a keen sense of smell and can detect the presence of these products at deficient levels. The chemicals used in these products are generally synthetic analogs of natural plant oils found in nature. These oils can be extracted from plants such as garlic and peppermint. 

Unfortunately, they also contain other ingredients that give them a strong odor. For example, some products contain capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers like jalapeno peppers. Others include thiram, which has an unpleasant smell but does not taste harmful to humans (it's even used as an additive in processed foods!).

When using these deer browse deterrents products in your garden, it is essential to follow the directions carefully so that you do not harm any beneficial insects or animals such as birds, that might visit your yard. In contrast, the product is active (it usually lasts about two weeks). You also want to consult with plant healthcare specialists with experience in deterring deer from preserving the beauty of your landscape from deer.