Pest Strategies

If you live out in the country, curious deer may be a common nuisance. To protect your property, Pest Strategies researched the best deer repellent on Amazon. Check out our top recommendations below.

 

Buying Guide

Deer repellent comes in many forms, including sprays, pellets, ultrasonic devices, and nets. Consider type as well as the following factors when deciding which deer repellent is best for your needs.

 

• Location: Where you live will affect how frequently deer visit your yard as well as what species they are. These two factors are important in determining what repellent will be the most effective for your yard. The national or local Forest Service can provide you with information about deer in your area. 

• Property size: The more area you need to cover, the more money you will have to spend on deer repellent. For large properties, consider mixing multiple deer repellent products or concentrating these products near areas where protection is the most valuable, such as around flower beds. 
• Types of animals: Are raccoons, rodents, or other troublesome animals also making their way onto your property? If so, an ultrasonic device or a light stake will help thwart all of these animals, not just deer. 

 

 

FAQs

• Is a fence considered deer repellent? 

Tall fences that are six to eight feet high are considered to be an effective deer repellent. Installing a fence costs more than using other deer repellents, though a fence may be worth it if you also want to keep your pets in your yard or have privacy from your neighbors.

• How do deer repellents work? 

Most deer repellents on the market work in one of four ways: 

• • Physical barriers: Barriers, such as fences and nets, physically prevent deer from tampering with plants, grass, and other items in your yard. 
  • Ultrasonic devices/flashing lights: These devices emit a harsh sound using a high frequency that’s undetectable to human ears. Some devices also include bright, flashing lights, which ward off skittish deer. 
  • Taste-based repellents: Also known as contact repellents, these repellents are applied to your plants. Deer only know to stay away from your plants once they have taken a bite out of them and tasted the repellent, so some damage will be done to your plants initially. 
  • Odor-based repellents: These repellents deter deer using smell. They can be sprayed directly on your plants or in the area around them. These repellents typically have smells associated with human hair, deer predators, or dead deer. 

• Will rain or snow reduce the effectiveness of my deer repellent? 

For odor- and taste-based repellents, yes. Extended periods of cold weather as well as rain, snow, sleet, or any other form of precipitation will likely weaken the strength of your repellent. If you have a large deer problem, expect to use multiple types of repellents in your yard or to reapply odor- or taste-based repellents once every two to four weeks.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.