KEEPING DEER AWAY FROM GARDENS with Chimes???

I did find that the BEST thing that works for me, to help keep them away is to run a speaker to the garden and I put it on an AM talk radio show. In Ohio and I think in the Midwest there is a talk show called "Trucker ??Bob??" (I forget the name, but I think the deer dont care for him much!!!.)

If you want to put a line up, (I dont use this method) use fishing line, the deer kinda flips out when they come in contact with it because they can't see it. But that just might cause more damage than them just eating the plants!!

That's funny - about the deer not liking that radio show host. lol.

I have heard (but not tried it) that 2 strands of fishing line will work. I think both the fishing line and the deer netting work primarily because, as a prey animal whose life depends on the ability to run away, deer are particularly leary of anything that might ensnare and entangle them.

I've not tried to protect such a large section of property, but I do have experience with being unable to errect much of a fence. One year after a car crash, I had SEVERE and crippling back pain (even with pain meds). I could barely stand for a minute or two without crying. I found that I could string deer netting across fairly large expanses (in which it sagged horribly in the middle). I held one end of a 50ft run up by stapling it loosely to my fence and the other end by snagging the top corner on a low tree branch. The deer could easily have pushed it down and walked right over it. Worse, I had roses hanging over the top in places so they could have just eaten over the top - in which case it would likely have fallen down by itself. But they never touched the netting or the roses - no doubt because they fear entanglement.

Lastly, is it possible that you could protect a relatively large area by addressing only a small section in the area where they typically enter? This has worked well for me. They seem to follow the same path every day. I don't have to secure the entire perimeter of my yard. I aim a "scarecrow" device at the area where they enter my property on one side. This sends them running for cover as soon as they try to enter; consequently, I don't have to secure the front of the property or the other side because they never get there. Their normal pattern is to enter on one back side, "graze" down the side of the property, then around to the front, then the other side. By stopping them - and sending them running in terror - at the point of entry, I have managed to keep them off the entire property. Something to consider.

I did try the fish line around a limited area ----- and my deer were not bothered by it (they ducked under), but I was when I tried to use the riding mower ...........the deer/bird fencing was fine, BUT it was such a royal pain having to disassemble so that I could get to pull the weeds. During the fishline epic, the fawns would get under and the moms would get freaked .....ran two lines and then I really could not mow. All of these are the reasons that I have simply decided to stop fighting the fight. Ornamental grasses- rhodies - bamboo - tall trees protected by hog wire until tall enough - and that is about it - iris and peonies behind hog wire - oh yeah - daffs are OK, even though one year the deer even ate those - and that is just unheard of - except in MY yard.

Have you tried the scarecrow device, or is that not feasible due to such issues at proximity to water supply, etc? That thing has worked great for me and for everyone I've talked to. I'm on my 3rd year with it. You can use more than one; they are designed to allow you to "chain" them together from a single supply line. I only use one. You adjust it to cover the desired area up to an arc of 180 degrees, which is to say that if you oriented it due East it could spray an arc from due South to due North or any portion thereof. It detects motion in the designated area, springs to "life" suddenly, and blasts the area with a forceful stream of water. The combination of sudden movement, sound (sort of a "ch..ch..ch..ch" like an automatic weapon only much softer), and impact (water) is terrifying. (I know this because one day I walked into the zone by mistake, and even though I knew what it was, the sound, movement, and sudden blast of water hitting the back of my neck evoked an instant of sheer terror before I realized what it was. My herd of deer has shown no signs of getting used to it. Actually, over time they seem to learn to avoid the area. It is as though they truly believe that some predator is lying in wait for them it that area.

Again, if the scarecrow is an option, one well placed "crow" might do the trick. At the very least, you could group the sensitive plants in one area and use the scarecrow to protect that area. I have a row of English roses along the foundation of my house on the side where the deer normally walk every night on their way to the pond across the street. Without the scarecrow, I have a row of barren sticks by mid summer. With the scarecrow I have hundreds of roses billowing out across the landscape untouched. And, like I said, I also have roses all around the front door and the other side of the house. Without the scarecrow the deer make the rounds and eat everything right up to the potted hibiscus on the porch. With the scarecrow, they don't even touch anything in the front or other side even though those areas are not actually protected by the device.

Obviously, I thought these might be a great idea and bought several for my son and DIL when THEY became 5 acre property owners. They haven't used them yet! Maybe I should get them back? I remember they were pricey!!!! They only had a raspberry patch that needed protection - the acres are pretty open w/o any decorative plantings.

I have so many places - all over the "place" - all browsed by the deer - so, again, it is easiest for me to live and let live - but it is fun to see all the different methods out there...AND if I decide to gear up once again,you have given me GREAT ideas!

THANK YOU all, so very much!

Mine was around $70. As mentioned, I am now on my 3rd year of use. As it works so well, over the years I have found a number of other creative uses for it. (I find that I can now move it for short periods of time without having deer problems.)

I came home from work early one day to find my neighbor walking her dog over to the side of my house to relieve himself! Now I could have engaged her verbally ... but I got a better kick out of imagining her surprise the next day when she and fido got smacked with the hose!

Then someone started helping themselves to the irises on the side of my house. Scarecrow to the rescue!

Then I used it for a while to deter the titmouse who was determined to take my screens apart.

Lots of uses!

Sculter - you DO make a good case for this ........... I just might have to go shopping again!!!!!

Vicki