(NewsUSA) – Like many mammals, deer physically prepare for winter by better insulating their bodies. However, they are also on the move, causing vehicle crashes and seeking to eat evergreens and shrubs in your yard. Be ready with deer repellent.

What We Will Cover

Deer Are Perfect Winter Survivors

In the fall, deer gradually trade their summer coats for a warmer winter, which is more substantial, and has thicker, longer, darker hair called “guard hairs” to protect their fur and skin from rain and snow.

Their winter coat naturally absorbs more sunlight and traps more body heat than their warm-weather coat, providing exceptional protection from the cold. Deer also have oil-producing glands in their skin that help make their hair water-resistant, which is especially valuable in the snow. Their bodies naturally begin to retain more fat in winter for even further insulation and protection.

Deer alters their behavior to survive the harsh winter weather. They generally become less active, sometimes dropping their metabolism by half, which allows them to save energy. Deer can hunker down during particularly harsh winter weather and survive on their fat, but eventually, they have to eat something, although their preferred food sources are long gone.

Deer Love Your Shrubs

Although amazing, deer survive harsh winters when the vegetation they prefer is nearly impossible to find. Deer’s usual winter diet includes food that is not exceptionally nutritious. Still, it’s above the snow and available to feed on, like twigs, leaves, bark, and evergreen shrubs and trees like yews and arborvitae. Arborvitae is a famous tree and a shared backyard hedging solution. It grows moderately fast and looks pretty around any yard’s perimeter. During a harsh winter, deer can decimate arborvitae trees, turning them into trees that look like lollipops!

Because food is so scarce during winter and high deer populations mean more competition for food, deer are likely to be more resistant to efforts to repel them. They’ll return to areas like your yard, where they found plentiful pickings in warm weather, and be more inclined to stay put until your yard is stripped clean of all possible food sources.

A single adult deer eats about 7 pounds of food daily and usually occupies the same 3- to 4-square-mile area for their entire lives. That means if you’ve had deer in your yard before, it is likely your yard is already on their list to forage food this winter, so your shrubs and trees – your most expensive landscaping- are at risk this winter.

5 Effective Ways to Repel Deer from Your Yard or Farm

Deer may look picturesque when they’re grazing in a meadow, but they’re not so charming when they’re munching on your garden or farm crops. So, how can you keep these four-legged foragers at bay? Here are five proven methods to repel deer without causing them harm.

1. Install Deer Fencing

The most straightforward way to keep deer out is to put up a fence. Opt for a high one—about 8 feet—to ensure they can’t jump over it. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand any attempts to push through.

2. Use Deer-Resistant Plants

Some plants naturally repel deer. Lavender, sage, and rosemary are just a few examples. Incorporate these into your garden layout. Not only will your yard smell amazing, but it’ll also become a no-go zone for deer.

3. Apply Natural Deer Repellents

There are various sprays and granules on the market designed to keep deer away. Look for ones that use natural ingredients like garlic and peppermint. Apply these regularly, especially after rain, for best results.

4. Employ Scare Tactics

Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle deer and make them think twice about returning. You can also use noise deterrents like radios or motion-activated alarms. Just be sure not to disturb your neighbors in the process.

5. Use a Guard Animal

Believe it or not, certain animals can act as natural deer repellents. Dogs, for instance, can be quite effective. If you have a larger property or farm, consider getting a livestock guardian animal like a llama or a donkey.

Effective Deer Repellent

Deer in Winter Wood With Snow — Deer love your green Arborvitae.

To save your shrubs and trees from deer damage in winter and strike a blow against deer’s voracious appetites, you’ll need a reliable, proven, effective solution that’s easy to use in the cold months of winter. Your best defense against deer is the continual use of an effective repellent, like easy-to-use Bobbex Deer Repellent and foliar spray. The product is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and long-lasting deer deterrent safe for people, pets, wildlife, and aquatic life. Ingredients include putrescent eggs, fishmeal, fish oil, garlic, and other natural ingredients – all materials that offend a deer’s sensitive sense of smell and taste. Additional ingredients such as urea and Epsom contain natural fertilizer components that benefit all plantings.

Bobbex Deer mimics predator scents, which deer have an aversion to and are classified as a fear repellent; it also tastes terrible to deer, adding another layer of protection. The repellent won’t wash off because it contains effective sticking agents even in harsh winter weather. It’s been 3rd party tested against nine other like-repellents and is rated #1 for protection against deer browse.

Prepare for Winter Now With Deer Repellent

The experts at Bobbex recommend a steady course of repellent application every season as deer shift their feeding patterns. Since we know deer learn from experience, maintaining repellent applications throughout the year will “school” them. The repellent will cause deer to continually bypass your yard in favor of less objectionable fare elsewhere.

Left undeterred, deer can strip bare your landscape’s most expensive and susceptible plantings in winter. Thus leaving you with an unattractive yard and high replacement costs when warm weather arrives. Preparing now and taking preventive steps against the ravages of deer can help ensure they’ll learn to leave your yard alone throughout the winter. With continued use, you can keep them at bay all year long.