I'm looking for some effective, non-toxic solutions to keep deer, rabbits, and squirrels away from my newly planted liriope. I want to avoid any chemical repellents and I'm not a fan of fencing since I find it unattractive. Anyone got suggestions?
4 Answers
I make an organic deer repellent myself by blending eggs with garlic powder, water, and cloves. I spray this on the plants that attract deer about once a week and after it rains. It works great, and you can keep any leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
You could try using predator urine as a deterrent. It's often suggested for keeping pests away, but I'm not sure how effective it is against rabbits since they don't have much of a survival instinct. It might work better on deer, though!
Haha, true about the rabbits! Thanks for the tip!
Honestly, most store-bought repellents are temporary solutions. If you want a distinct safeguard against deer and rabbits, a proper fence is the only thing that really works. But beware, deer can jump pretty high!
I've heard liriope can be deer resistant once established. Fingers crossed it gets better as they grow!
I recommend checking out Bobbex for a more commercial option. The smell can be really strong right after applying, but it dries down. I also prefer Scoot which, albeit containing some agricultural chemicals, lasts longer on plants. If you're open to it, consider planting alternatives that are less appealing to deer and rabbits, like 'black mondo grass' or 'hakone grass'. They seem to leave my plants alone!
Awesome! Do you use raw eggs for this, or do you boil them first?