For years I have had a huge problem with deer in my yard. As you are aware, they eat whatever they darn please. Two years ago at Wedel’s Spring Expo there was a booth with two guys from Messina Wildlife Management. I spent quite a bit of time talking with them before I bought their product.
I began to use it immediately and it was evident that it was working. No more eaten hostas, lilies, etc.. I could not believe how well it worked. In the winter months I have had problems with them eating my arborvitae’s and a few other bushes, so I made sure I sprayed in November, then I did it again in January and the end of February. No damage to my trees and bushes. When it came time to rake my lawn after the winter I noticed that there were only three areas that I saw deer droppings, when in the past there would be as many as 30 or 40.
I continued to use this product all last spring, summer and fall and only applied it in November and the end of January. I saw the same results as I did in the past year. What I think has happened is…I have changed the direction of their travels. They don’t like the smell and simply walk away.
The name of the product is Deer Stopper. It lasts 30 days and does not wash off in the rain. If you get it on your hands or clothes it washes off easily, leaving no after smell. The ingredients are essential oils and putrefied eggs. You can read about Deer Stopper and all the other products that Messina makes at www.MessinaWildLife.com
I purchased (from Wedel’s) the concentrate (it is much cheaper that way). $35. I bought the sprayer at Farm & Fleet (I got the ½ gal size because it is much easier to handle). $10. You may be interested in the ribbon (to string around the outer edges of your property or around a specific area) The products is called Plot Saver (a Messina product). I purchased the ribbon (it comes in a 840’ package) from Wedel’s. Can’t remember the price. I bought the stakes for the ribbon at Home Depot. $1 each
submitted by Joann Wespinter
Invasive Plants – Japanese Knotweed