Hi! I am Michael
Hello, I am Michael… another boring intro. Let’s not do that again. Let me share my vision. Back in 2020, I developed a strong passion for the outdoors, mainly traveling to soak in natural beauty. Hiking is one of my favorite activities as it gives me a sense of union with nature while I’m on the trail. Trust me; I am neither a professional hiker with heavy equipment nor a luxury traveler.
Currently learning more about traveling, natural places, camping, hiking, plants, and wildlife to become a better outdoor man (just 21 years old, though :)). Another interest developing within me is sustainable fashion – I don’t know why, but I naturally lean toward it. So join the community of those who love nature and prefer sustainability and receive exclusive news, expert articles, resources, and much more exclusive to the outdoors and sustainable fashion.
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Deer vs. Yarrow: Who Will Win in Your Garden?
Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium or Milfoil, is a traditional herb native to Asia, Europe, and North America, though now it could grow wildly. You may already know that Yarrow is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to achilleine and alkaloid toxins. Does this also mean that it is harmful to deer, and they won’t destroy your beautiful Yarrow plants? Let’s take a look.
Do Deer Eat or Ignore Yarrow Plants & Flowers?
Deer don’t eat Yarrow because of the aromatic scent, bitter taste, and ferny leaves is what makes this plant unattractive to deer, and that is the main reason why Yarrow falls under the category of deer-resistant plant that you could plant around your garden or farm and make use it as a resisting deer fence that would keep the deer away.
Now one thing you should beware of is that Yarrow is a perennial plant that lives year after year, but it takes time for them to mature; you should expect flowers in the second year of planting, and during this time, you must take care of them because in deer may not eat them. Still, they will walk over them to eat out your farm.
If you already have a full-blown department of yarrow plants, then chill, as deer won’t eat them unless the place you live in is scarce of forages, as in such cases, they have to cross the likes and dislikes of their tongue.
Still, they will think a lot before eating it because Yarrow is a herb, not a meal that could be just eaten without any effect, so in utmost rare cases, they will only munch a few leaves and go away searching for better-tasting plants.
Related: Do Deer Eat Carrots?
Are All Types Of Yarrow Deer Resistant?
There are many species of yarrow plants; It is estimated that between 85 and 100 species of Yarrow belong to the genus Achillea. The 13 are best and can be grown even in barren land as they fall under the hardy perennials. Honestly, it is impossible to give you a brief about all 100 species of Yarrow and whether they are deer resistant or not, as it would require extensive research – planting all species in the deer zone and noticing activity is hard work. Such research is still yet to be done by scientists/researchers.
However, the widespread yarrow plant that is widely grown is Achillea millefolium, and you can trust me on this. That is deer resistant, along with 13 other types I am now sharing with you. Some are not as intense as Achillea millefolium but are less popular among deer and can be grown in various soil, including poor and dry.
- Apple Blossom
- Cerise Queen
- Common
- Gold
- Gold Plate
- King Edward
- Moonshine
- New Vintage
- Rose Paprika
- Red Strawberry
- Seduction
- Summer
- Pastels
- Sunny Seduction
Can You Use Yarrow As a Fencing For Deer?
Interesting question, my boy/girl! See, the chances of success using Yarrow as fencing is 50-50 because even though it has that pungent smell and taste that deer do not like, as experimented by thousands of people, this plant is not thorny or vital like a fence; the plant is known to be soft and safe to touch so in my opinion to increase your chances of deer not bypassing the yarrow fencing is to increase their density surrounding your garden, make it more like a yarrow mesh that a fence. Dense to the point that deer won’t be able to see what’s planted behind these deer-hated plants.
And you can do the same on your farm. However, if you have planted some crops or plants whose scent can reach deer and deer is struggling to find other forages to churn, then there’s a remote chance that a group of deer would penetrate Yarrow and attract that which you’re trying to protect.
How To Protect Yarrow Plants?
There’s no need to protect yarrow plants if you already live in suitable natural habitat, as there would be more than enough forage, like grass, beans, apples, bananas, etc., for deer to satisfy their nutritional needs. You can only consider protecting your Yarrow plants when food is scarce or not readily available (like in winter). In such a case, here are some tips on how to protect your yarrow plants.
- Put up a Barrier: A fence or mesh netting can keep curious deer away from your yarrow plants. Ensure the barrier is tall enough and secure so that deer can’t jump over it.
- Plant in Clusters: Planting yarrow in groups rather than single plants can be less appealing to deer. Plus, this creates a visual barrier, making it harder for deer to get close to your plants.
- Spray it Up: If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, try using a deer-repellent spray. There are many natural and synthetic options available. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and spray the yarrow plants.
- Choose the Right Plant: Some yarrow species are less likely to be nibbled by deer. Consider planting cultivars like ‘Moonshine’ or ‘Strawberry Seduction’ that have a reputation for being deer-resistant.
- Pick a Safe Spot: Plant yarrow in areas less likely to attract deer, such as near bushes, trees, or a building.
- Trick the Deer: Try using decoys like plastic owls or rubber snakes to scare off deer. They are often frightened by these predator decoys and will steer clear of your yarrow plants.
Using these strategies, you can keep your yarrow plants safe from curious deer. Of course, no method is foolproof, but by taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of deer damage.
Facts About Yarrow Plants:
- Scientific Name: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a flowering plant species in the aster family (Asteraceae).
- Native Range: Yarrow is native to the Northern Hemisphere and is commonly found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Medicinal Properties: Yarrow has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient times. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent properties and has been used to treat various ailments, including wounds, colds, flu, and digestive issues.
- Folklore: In ancient times, Yarrow was known as an “herbal military clinic” and was used by soldiers to treat wounds. The plant was also considered a symbol of courage and was used in divination practices.
- Appearance: Yarrow plants grow to a height of 1-3 feet, producing feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white, yellow, pink, or red flowers that bloom in the summer.
- Soil Requirements: Yarrow plants prefer well-drained soil with a neutral pH and can tolerate various soil types, including sand, clay, and loam.
- Climate Tolerance: Yarrow is a hardy plant that can tolerate various temperatures and growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade and from hot to cold climates.
- Wildlife Attraction: Yarrow plants are an excellent source of nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths, making them an essential part of the ecosystem.
- Culinary Uses: Yarrow leaves and flowers can be used in various culinary dishes, including soups, salads, and tea blends. They have a slightly bitter taste and are used for their medicinal properties and flavor.
- Ornamental Use: Yarrow plants are often used in gardens due to their attractive flowers and foliage and their ability to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
Related: Do Deer Eat Sorghum?
Do Deer Eat Sorghum? (How To Protect Sorghum?)
Sorghum which is also called the great millet or Indian millet, is such a lovely treat, not just for the nutritional value it provides. Still, its versatility is the main reason the crop is leading successfully in the USA, Africa, and Asia. Use it for food, feed, fodder, and fuel this great Indian millet will never disappoint.
But what about deer? Do they like it, and what could you possibly do so that deer won’t ruin your sorghum farm while ensuring that you don’t hurt them? Let’s know it all in one breath – hahaha, joking.
Will Deer Eat Sorghum?
Scientifically speaking, Deer don’t have any problem eating Sorghum; in fact, the crop has excellent health benefits, rich in calories, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Above all, Sorghum shows better tolerance to snow and winter than other crops, which makes it an ideal crop for Deer to eat as their source of carbohydrates in winter when other crops are scarce.
I have done some research on what farmers have to say on deer attacking Sorghum; some said that deer do munch on boundary sorghum while they make their way, and few say that even though they live in high deer pressure areas, still somehow deer don’t seem to attack their sorghum farm.
Like, In an interview with Maryland Farm & Harvest, Greg said, “We have this farm and couple of other farms where we have a lot of deer pressure, but for whatever reason, deer do not seem to eat Sorghum, like they sure love to eat corn and soybeans.”
Here is a video proof where deer is visible munching on sorghum plants. So, yes, deer do eat Sorghum. However, they don’t prefer it more than corn and soybeans.
Is Sorghum Good For Deer?
According to FoodData Central, Sorghum is rich in water, energy, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin B-6. Proteins are required for male deer to produce antlers. Calcium & Phosphorus is necessary for milk production, bone and antler growth, and general metabolism.
Vitamins are needed. However, the specific amount the deer body needs is still unknown, and vitamin deficiencies in deer are scarce due to the abundance of forages in natural habitats. So yes, you can feed Sorghum to deer, which will only do good.
While feeding Sorghum, it would be best to remember that deer need to eat different plants and forages because a single food source cannot fulfill all their requirements, so try to provide them with alternate meals.
Best Sorghum For Deer:
Deer can eat a variety of Sorghum without any problem. However, Milo and Johnson’s grass are two specific types that are easy to digest and have a high protein content.
Sorghum Food Plots For Deer
People build sorghum plots for deer for two reasons: one is to attract deer to hunt, and the other is to provide wildlife nutrition in seasons like winter when deer find it hard to fulfill their food requirements.
How to Keep Deer From Eating My Sorghum?
Here comes the exciting part, we want to help deer satisfy their food requirements. Still, sometimes, especially in the deer-pressure area, deer start to pay visits without invitation, and if your site has good deer pressure, they may munch on most of our plot/farm. So there are some practical steps that you could take to reduce these deer attacks, if not wholly cease them.
Fencing
You can use a high-tensile or portable electric fence to protect your farm. The best protection is offered by high tensile because it will stand firm for years to come. However, the cost is also a bit high, say $10 per foot. If you mainly cultivate high-value crops, then it is a worthwhile investment.
Portable electric fencing can temporarily help by giving deer a mild shock and hence alter their behavior, though you need to be careful with such fencing cause it is not safe for children and pets to be around. Whichever fencing you opt for, it would be best that they’re at least 8 feet tall. Other fencing options available are metal wire fencing and polypropylene mesh. The polypropylene one is the most affordable option, but it has flaws like needing firm installation and not being as durable as metal or high tensile fencing.
Deer Resistant Plants or Sprays
Alongside your sorghum farm, you can plant some deer-resistant plants like artichoke, ranunculus, and abelia as they have a pungent smell and taste deer will tend to avoid them. Alongside these repelling plants, you can spray deer-resistant spray like Messina Wildlife Deer Stopper 2, which covers 10,000 square feet and guarantees 30-day protection.
One thing that you should know is this is a temporary solution, and deer restart the attacks over time, so it would be best if you use this particular technique for a golden period, like while reaping Sorghum. Also, consider buying different deer repellents, as deer will get used to them, and the first repellent will no longer be as effective as it used to be.
Use a Sprinkler System
You can go on installing a sprinkler system at the boundaries of the sorghum farm because, as you know, you may not want to wet the matured Sorghum. So I would say this technique is more effective when sorghum plants are in their growth stage and needs water.
What it will do is when the sensor detects movement, it will spray a few bursts of water to repel deer. This sudden impact style will keep deer at bay.
Setup Decoys & Scarecrows
Ok, I belong to the farmer’s family, and most probably you too, and setting up decoys and scarecrows are not new. People have been using scarecrows for generations, which is adequate for temporary purposes, but gradually, deer will understand your strategy and will no longer be working. What you can do to make it work for long is to build scarecrows in different patterns and interchange them every few days so that deer can not get familiar with them.
Dogs Are More Than Pets
Do you already have a dog or two? This strategy works better with two dogs, yet one still does the job. Built dog houses on the farm, and if they see any unknown movement, like the deer, then you know they will treat them as you would treat uninvited guests.
Motion Activated Lights & Alarm
It works similarly to motion activated sprinkler; the only difference is that instead of water, it will light up the farm and start playing the FM radio station you select; as the song is ever-changing and sounds like a human, deer can not act ear dead. This is a better solution than a sprinkler system if you are in a reaping period.
Do Deer Eat Artichoke Plants? (7 Things To Know)
While no plant is truly safe from a hungry deer, true artichokes are not typically a deer’s first choice. Deer tend to avoid eating most artichoke plants due to their prickly texture. Some artichokes are even known to repel deer!
Keep reading to learn which artichokes are best for keeping deer away!
Are globe artichokes deer resistant?
A globe artichoke is a prickly plant grown for its edible flower bud. Artichokes are a type of thistle, meaning they’re covered in many different-sized thorns. Deer tend to avoid eating globe artichokes because of the prickly greenery.
Planting globe artichokes in the garden may also help keep deer away from other plants.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Eating Ranunculus?
Do deer eat Jerusalem artichoke plants?
The Jerusalem artichoke, while misleading, is not an artichoke. It’s a variety of sunflower grown for its tasty roots. Since this plant is lacking the typical thorns of other artichokes, deer are not repelled by it.
Jerusalem artichokes are a popular food among deer, who love to dig up and eat the roots. Many gardeners have found that deer will seek out Jerusalem artichokes and eat them above other plants.
How to Protect Artichoke Plants From Deer?
Artichoke plants can grow to impressive heights, making it more difficult to protect them from hungry deer. The only way to ensure that deer cannot access your garden is to enclose it in an eight-foot fence. Deer are known to regularly jump up to six feet, so making sure your fence is tall enough is vital.
Other methods for repelling deer include scent repellents such as bar soap, blood, or coyote urine; motion-activated lights or sprinklers; and noise repellents such as ultrasonic devices.
Unfortunately, deer will quickly learn that these are not real threats. Physical barriers are the best way to protect your garden from deer.
What if Deer Eat Artichoke Plants?
Artichokes are not toxic to deer, so consuming them will not cause negative health issues. The prickly texture of globe artichokes may cause some discomfort, but artichokes are entirely safe for deer to consume.
Deer will not experience any adverse health issues upon eating globe or elongated artichokes.
Jerusalem artichokes are not related to globe artichokes in any way other than the name. These plants are also entirely safe for deer to eat. Their greenery and roots are a healthy and popular addition to any deer’s diet.
Jerusalem artichoke roots are often used as deer feed and are a popular winter food among deer.
Globe Artichoke Nutrition
When deer are particularly hungry, they may choose to eat these prickly plants anyway! True artichokes are high in vitamins such as vitamin C and magnesium. They are also high in sodium, which can be attractive to a hungry deer.
| Calories | 60 cal |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Sodium | 120mg |
| Potassium | 474mg |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| Protein | 4.2g |
Jerusalem Artichoke Nutrition
Though not a true artichoke, Jerusalem artichokes are still a common root vegetable. They’re very popular among deer during winter due to their impressive fiber and caloric contents. Jerusalem artichokes are also rich in iron and potassium, making them a healthy addition to the deer’s diet.
| Calories | 109 cal |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Sodium | 6mg |
| Potassium | 644mg |
| Carbohydrates | 26g |
| Fiber | 2.4g |
| Protein | 3g |
Benefits of Growing Artichokes
As a member of the thistle family, artichokes are known to keep many pests out of gardens. From deer to rabbits, most creatures aren’t interested in the prickly leaves of an artichoke. Gardeners can use this to their advantage and plant artichokes to help protect their other plants from hungry wildlife.
Not only can true artichokes help protect your garden from hungry deer, but they’re also nice to look at! Globe artichokes are often grown as decorative accents in gardens. The tall, impressive stalk puts out a giant flower bud, which can be eaten in typical artichoke fashion or left to bloom.
The purple flower blooms are very popular with pollinators, helping to increase the overall health of the garden and the surrounding ecosystem. The silver leaves also add color and visual variety to gardens.
Read Also: Do Deer Eat Red Kidney Beans?
Do Deer Eat Carrots? (9 Things To Know)
As a farmer living in an area dominated by deer herds, you must understand the type of plants that these ferocious eaters love munching on.
By doing so, you can decide ways to protect your plants or even avoid growing such plants altogether to keep away the deer.
One of the most recently asked questions has been, do deer eat carrots? Can they smell carrots? Are there types of carrots that deer can’t eat?
Are you looking to get answers to these and other questions? Read on to learn more.
Do deer eat Carrots and carrot plants?
Yes, deer eat carrots; in fact, that is an understatement. Deer loves eating carrots. To them, carrots are the perfect treats.
Deer not only eat carrots, but they also eat the whole plant, from the carrot tops, leaves, and roots.
In the wild, deer spend most of their time feeding on hardwood twigs, and you know that the twigs are not that tasty.
However, carrots offer a completely different feel to the deer, especially the garden-grown carrots.
The satisfying crackling, high water release coats the deer’s mouth and sweet flavor. All combine to make carrots a perfect treat for the deer.
Below are some more reasons that deer love eating carrots.
- The whole carrot plant is edible
- They can easily pull the carrots from the ground
- A carrot’s color is attractive, whether yellow, red, orange, or purple. Deer love them all.
- Carrots are easy to bite and chew
Read Also: Do Deer Like Cabbages?
Can deer smell carrots?
Deer have a highly developed sense of smell; an average deer species has a 1000 times better sense of smell than humans. We have a measly 5 million sense receptors compared to a deer’s 250 million.
Deer developed their sense of smell to search for food and know when predators are nearby.
So yes, deer can smell carrots; they can recognize a carrot’s scent from miles away. Why just carrots, with this power they can even find your tasty apples and peanut butter.
No wonder you may find that deer herds from outlying areas move to other places searching for food. It is their strong sense of smell that guides them.
This especially happens during the winter, when food is scarce, and deer have to go long distances to get a meal.
What species of deer love eating carrots?
There are many deer species in the world, forty-five to be exact.
Here is a list of some of the top and most common deer breeds globally.
- White-tailed deer
- Mule deer
- Hog Deer
- Caribou
- Red Brocket
- Northern Pudu
- Black-tailed Deer
- Fallow deer
- Thorold’s deer
- Sambar deer
All of the species named above of deer love eating carrots.
Scientists have yet to find a deer species that do not eat carrots.
Since deer tend to change their diet depending on the seasons, they sometimes eat anything, especially when experiencing hunger.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Pumpkins?
Types of carrots that deer cannot eat?
Yes, carrots have a sweet and juicy taste; however, not all carrot species share these characteristics.
There are types of carrots that deer cannot eat.
They include:
- Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)
- Water hemlock(Conium Maculata)
- Cow parsnip(Heracleum maximum)
- Wild parsnip (Pastinaca Sativa)
- Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Let us have a close look at these carrots.
Poison Hemlock
It grows 4 to 9 inches tall has white flowers, and purple spotted waxy stems.
The poison hemlock, mostly found on the roadsides, produces a displeasing odor, and true to its name, the carrot causes stomach poisoning when ingested.
Water hemlock
Regarded as the most poisonous carrot species, the plant can grow up to six feet tall has round purple stems and white flowers.
All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the roots.
The rest of the inedible carrot species; Wild parsnip, giant hogweed, and Cow parsnip, may cause photodermatitis.
These plants produce allergens that cause rash and blisters. Hence, deer tend to avoid them.
Can baby deer eat carrots?
Baby deer can eat carrots though it is not encouraged. The reason is that their stomach and digestive systems haven’t developed to digest the carrots properly.
Fawns generally depend on their mother’s milk for up to 16 weeks after birth, 3 to four months.
They do so because they need the nutrients to grow, plus their stomachs easily absorb the milk into their system.
Consequently, wildlife experts are seriously against feeding carrots to baby deer.
Citing that even though carrots are tasty, they won’t provide the nutrients that a fawn desperately needs to survive.
Even so, occasionally providing a few carrots as treats when the fawn grows a bit older won’t be harmful.
How healthy is a carrot for deer?
You may have realized that deer require to feed on highly nutritious plants for proper body and antler growth.
So do carrots offer these nutrients? Let us find out.
Table showing the number of nutrients a deer obtains from 100 grams of carrot
Nutrient | Quantity | Vitamin | Quantity | Minerals | Quantity |
| Proteins | 2.9% | A | 33% | Magnesium | 3% |
| Calories | 41% | B-6 | 6% | Iron | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 3% | C | 9% | Potassium | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 12% | D | 0% | Calcium | 3.5% |
As you can see, 100 grams of carrot provide adequate vitamin A and C that boosts deer bone formation and antler development.
How easy or hard is it for deer to digest a carrot?
Like other wild animals, deers have developed adaptations to survive. One of such adaptations is a strong stomach.
Hence, their stomachs can easily digest carrots with little trouble, which is handy during hunger.
What is the best time to feed carrots to deer?
Deer don’t pay much attention to carrots between spring and summer mainly because they have many other options of food to eat.
Nevertheless, carrots start attracting deer at the start of frost (October – May).
Then when winter settles in, deer will ferociously feed on the top and roots of the carrot.
During that time, food is exceedingly scarce. Thus, the best time to feed deer would be during winter.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Bananas?
How to properly feed carrots to deer?
Deer can eat raw, cooked, and even meal carrots. So feel free to feed them any of the mentioned; they are not fussy.
However, experts recommend feeding deer not more than 100grams of carrots per serving, which should not be regularly. You should also chop the carrots into sizeable pieces.
You see, carrots act as supplements to deer, even though they have some nutritional benefits. They won’t provide the adequate deer nutrients to build fat reserves and replenish energy lost.
In addition, it isn’t advisable to feed deer processed or canned carrots as they may lead them to develop stomach problems.
A fundamental rule in feeding carrots to deer, whether raw, cooked or meal, is to do so with moderation.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Walnuts?
Do Deer Eat Beets? (3 Beets That Deer Love Most)
Beets are a popular and healthy food choice for deer! From the leafy greens down to the buried roots, beets of all types are commonly used as deer feed or foraged by wild deer. Here’s everything you need to know about deer and beets!
Best Parts of Beets
While every part of beet is attractive to deer, the easy availability of beet greens means they typically graze on these first. In winter or when food is scarce, deer are more willing to work harder for their food- this means they might start digging for the beetroot. While deer love every part of a beet plant, they will typically eat the easiest parts (the greens) before the root.
Beet pulp is also a commonly used deer feed. Beet pulp is exactly what it sounds like- ground-up beetroot. It is often mixed with molasses, corn, or other veggies to make it even more appetizing to deer! In other words, feeding beets to deer is a much better choice than offering deer meat.
Related: Do Deer Eat Sorghum Plants?
Types Of Beets That Deer Love
There are many types of beets, but the most popular for deer feed is the sugar beet. These veggies are very sweet and easily digestible, making them an attractive option for deer. Despite this, deer will happily eat many varieties of beets. Here are some of the most common varieties and their attractiveness to deer.
| Type of Beet | Deer Preference |
| Sugar Beet | Known to attract deer commonly used as animal feed favorite of hungry deer Very sweet |
| Red Beet | More commonly consumed by humans popular with deer Highly nutritious |
| Golden Beet | Less sugar makes them less favored Still commonly eaten by deer |
How Deer Find Beets
Deer are expert foragers. They have an incredible sense of smell- five times better than dogs! They use their noses to sniff out food. Beet greens are easily visible and extremely attractive to deer. Come late fall or winter; deer will start digging for food.
With all the vegetation gone, it’s easier to find and consume the beetroot. Beets are also commonly used as bait or deer feed. In this case, deer will remember where the stashes are located and return here when hungry.
Read Also: Can Deer Eat Cabbage? (Is It Healthy For Deer?)
Nutritional Value of Beetroot
Beets are a healthy option for hungry deer! They’re high in fiber, easily digestible, and contain around 20% of a deer’s daily protein. They also serve as a great source of essential vitamins and minerals.
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 grams |
| Calories | 44 |
| Protein | 1.7g |
| Fat | .2g |
| Carbs | 10g |
| Fiber | 2g |
How to Feed Beets to Deer
While feeding deer may seem fun and harmless, it’s essential to do so responsibly. Check laws surrounding feeding wildlife before leaving beets out for deer. Improper feeding can spread disease or prove fatal to deer. Once you’ve determined it’s legal in your area, it’s time to start!
Beetroot can be bought in bulk at many farms and feed stores. Beet greens are also available, though they’re a more expensive and perishable option. Beetroot is the most popular part of the plant for animal feed. Beet pulp is also an option- this is readily available in many rural or agricultural areas. Only provide raw beets for deer.
Cooking beets decreases their nutritional value and is less natural. Cooked beets also spoil very quickly, whereas raw beetroot can be kept for a long time.
Start slow
Deer are opportunistic foragers, so they’ll happily eat anything they find. However, dramatic or quick changes in diet can cause bloat and death in deer. Start by placing just a few beets out. If desired, slowly increase the number of beets you provide.
Pile the beets away from busy areas.
While cute, deer are still wild animals and can be unpredictable. For the safety of both you and the deer, keep the beets away from people. Busy roads, hiking trails, houses, or other feed piles can spook deer or cause dangerous human-wildlife conflicts.
Give them time
As mentioned before, deer have an incredible sense of smell. As prey animals, they’re very cautious around new or unfamiliar scents. After you first leave the beets out, they’ll smell like you! Give the deer some time to acclimate to the smell and assess that there’s no danger before they come to eat.
Observe from a distance
Watching wild deer is fun, but don’t get too close. You might scare them away! They could also become acclimated to humans, which is extremely dangerous and often leads to unfortunate consequences for the deer. Give them plenty of space!
Best Time to Feed Deer Beets
The best time to feed beets to deer is in winter. This is when naturally occurring food is scarce, and many deer may be facing starvation. Beets will be a welcome and nutritious treat in the colder months. Deer will also start to rut, which significantly increases their appetites.
While you can feed deer any time of year, they’re much less likely to visit food piles in the spring and summer. During warmer months there are plenty of tasty options for them to forage on their own.
Protecting Beets From Deer
While there are many methods to keep deer out of gardens, many fail to derail hungry wildlife. The best way to ensure deer do not eat your beets is to enclose the garden with an eight-foot fence. Deer are known to regularly jump heights of six feet, so paying attention to fence height is important! Bird netting can be draped over your beet crop, but a determined deer can push it down.
Motion-activated sprinklers, coyote urine, or noisemakers may work temporarily, but deer will quickly learn that they are not real threats.
These things may work with beets, but there’s no way to prevent deer from feeding plants like kudzu that grow and spread all over the place. Interestingly, many people want deer to come and eat kudzus due to their nature. You can read more about it here.
Conclusion
Beets are an attractive and nutritious option to add to any deer’s diet! As long as it is done responsibly, providing beets for wild deer can increase the health of the herd. From beet greens to beetroots and pulp, every part of this vegetable is a great addition to any deer’s diet.
Read Also: Is It Healthy to Feed Pumpkin to Deer?
Do Deer Eat Ranunculus? (Explained)
Deer are cute and good-looking animals; however, they are herbivores and ferocious eaters. As an aspiring farmer, the sight of a deer herd leisurely grazing in your garden is sure to give you headaches and chills.
Even so, not all is lost, as there are ranunculus plants you can grow in your garden to keep the deer herds away.
Read on to learn more about how Ranunculus repels deer and how many you should plant to keep your garden safe.
Do deer eat Ranunculus? (Explained)
Often, deer avoid ranunculus plants since they have a solid acrid scent and taste; they also blister the deer’s mouth.
Deer keep away from plants with intense aromas, are thorny, or simply hard to eat.
They prefer eating plants with juicy stems and leaves with mild or no scents like the bamboo leaves.
Remember that deers can eat ranunculus plants; they only choose not to when they have other choices.
On the other hand, deer tend to eat anything during drought or hunger. In some extreme cases, they even munch on thorny plants.
Read Also: Should Deer Eat Bananas?
Benefits of having Ranunculus at home
By planting ranunculus plants at home, you will be keeping away the deers from your garden while also beautifying it. Many people buy these flowers for their aesthetic benefits.
In addition, some of the ranunculus plants have medical applications.
Note, Rananculs is a general term referring to a group of flowers with more than four hundred species.
Buttercup flowers are the most popular type of ranunculus flowers, and they too are in many species.
Many ranunculus plants are perennial, though some are terrestrial, herbaceous, aquatic, or biennial.
Ranunculus plants tend to produce smooth fruits. Some are hooked and others hairy, and some have fuzzy leaves—one of the reasons that deer avoid eating them.
Another advantage of having these plants at home is that they are perennial crops, so you do not have to keep planting them repeatedly.
They grow back on their own. All you have to do is occasionally clear away the weeds and pests, and the plants will be fine.
Read Also: Should Deer Eat Cabbages?
Where to place Ranunculus to repel deer?
Now that you know that Ranunculus plants are deer resistant and offer plenty of benefits.
You may be wondering, where exactly in your garden should you plant ranunculus plants?
Before we answer the above question, we need to first look at the common types of ranunculus flowers you can buy.
- Buttercups
- Ranunculus Ficaria
- Ranunculus Asiaticus
- Ranunculus Hanoi
- Ranunculus Venere
- Ranunculus Nivalis
- Ranunculus Acris
To effectively keep away the deer, experts advise planting ranunculus plants at the edges of the garden and randomly throughout the garden.
The main reason is deer are brilliant animals with a keen sense of smell. Hence, they will quickly notice where the repellants are and where they are not.
They will thus eat parts of the garden that lack the ranunculus plants, causing you significant loss.
In the same vein, you should also plant various ranunculus plants to prevent the deer from being accustomed to one species.
Because when deers get accustomed to a plant and experience hunger, then there are high chances they will eat it.
Thus, ensure you plant various ranunculus plants throughout the garden while placing more of them at the edges. Most importantly, plant more of the thorny Ranunculus at the ages.
A point to remember is that some ranunculus plants are opportunistic colonizers.
Thus you should systematically control their growth, thereby preventing them from harming other plants in your garden.
How many Ranunculi should I place?
There is no specific number of ranunculi you should plant. However, some factors can help you determine how many to plant.
These factors include
- Size of the garden
- Frequency and intensity of the deer attacks
Let’s look at each of these factors closely.
Size of the garden
If you have a large garden, you should consequently plant many ranunculus flowers throughout the garden. The inverse is true for a smaller garden
The critical point here is to consider the spacing to avoid plant overcrowding. Good plant spacing should be at least one to three meters apart per plant.
Frequency and intensity of the deer attacks
Maybe your small garden is constantly invaded by a herd of deers. Then it would be advisable to plant lots of ranunculus flowers while following the plant spacing guidelines.
What happens if a deer eat Ranunculus?
Deer generally avoid eating Ranunculus, but when they do, they may experience:
- Excessive salivation
- Bloody diarrhea
- Serious mouth blisters
- Gastrointestinal pains
Planting ranunculus plants in your garden can be a productive method to keep the deer away.
However, like with everything else, it all comes down to proper planning and execution to get the best results.
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15 Smells That Repel Lizards? (Complete Guide)
People fear lizards for two reasons – one, we believe that all reptiles are poisonous, and two, due to Ophidiophobia. Studies have shown that bites of lizards won’t kill humans, though pain, swelling, weakness, and in severe cases, blood pressure may fall but are nonvenomous.
So Ophidiophobia is one of the primary causes we want to repel lizards. 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers deal with phobia; Ophidiophobia is common.
Others may don’t like the presence of lizards. Whatever group you fall into, this article will present you with all the smells that would repel lizards without killing them + how to use them?
Smells That Proved To Repel Lizards (+How To Use Smells Effectively?)
Lemongrass
In experiments conducted by individuals, it is uncovered that the strong citrus smell of lemongrass leaves and oil act as a lizard deterrent. Using Essential oil, Tea bags, or fresh leaves will make a huge difference in keeping away lizards.
You can spray the oil in lizard-prone areas or put some fresh leaves and tea bags around the house to witness noticeable effects while giving your home a refreshing smell everyone loves.
Garlic
Place garlic cloves in different places in your home, yurt, or garden and forget it for weeks; as long as cloves are not rotted, the most common lizards will keep their distance due to the sulfur contained within garlic extract and the pungent smell.
However, I am not very fond of it because Indian lizards seem to have no problem with garlic, as some housewives mentioned. Thus I conclude garlic is a not-so-effective way, but it may work with smell-sensitive lizards – take it with a grain of salt.
Onion
Slices of onions in our house corners can become lizards’ hammers and tongs. The working behind onions mimics garlic due to sulfur components; it emits a strong scent that lizards hate.
You can travel an extra mile by blending a fresh onion and garlic and pouring water into it to make it sprayable. We can also mix equal amounts of garlic and onion powder in water. Now spray the solution over your plants in the garden or the corner of your home where lizards are often sighted.
This will help your beautiful outdoor garden be protected while not blocking its natural fragrance.
Eucalyptus
Lizards avoid the multifaceted forest scent of eucalyptus that smells sharp. We can make a solution of eucalyptus essential oil mixed with water of about 10-16 oz. Now spray it in parts of your garden, backyard, and inside your house to deter lizards while enjoying the medicinal benefits of smelling eucalyptus oil.
Peppermint
Peppermint emits a camphoraceous and powerful minty fragrance that lizards hate. We can use this excellent plant in two ways: by planting it in the garden or near your window where sunlight can reach. Two, by extracting oil from its leaves or buying the essentials from a store.
Take 30ml of peppermint oil and 30ml of water, mix it well and pour the solution into a bottle. Shake it, and you’re ready to spray it in lizards’ entry points, near your doors, windows, under your bed and above your racks, on floorboards, over your plants, etc.
Vinegar
There are over 13 vinegar types that can be used to repel pests. Apple cider and traditional vinegar look promising as most folks find them successful. Depending on your situation, I can offer two ways – one for scanty lizard encounters, take a spray bottle and create a concoction by filling it half with apple cider vinegar and the rest with water. Now, shake it well and spray it in the corners, around the plants, or wherever in your house you sought lizards.
The final combination can be used in houses, gardens, or campsites where lizards roam more frequently; in a spray bottle, create a mixture of vinegar, lemon, and chili powder. This concoction will be more potent as it irritates the lizard’s skin, nose, and eyes while diffusing strong repelling scents will ensure that this reptile thinks twice before trespassing.
Lemon
The distinctively clean scent of lemon contains an acid called citrus; citrus has three components – limonene, β-pinene, and γ-terpinene. However, limonene in citrus acid proved to be the main component responsible for the repellent activity.
To use the lemon effectively, squeeze 5-7 fresh lemons and mix the juice with 900 ml of water. Please put it on the boiler for an hour so that extraction can happen beautifully, don’t be mad to touch the hot pot; let it cool down. Afterward, pour it into a spray bottle and start spraying in different parts of your home, garden, and campsite. Make sure the formula does not touch any open cuts or eyes. Lemon is more than enough to repel house lizards.
Lavender Oil
You bet lavender has countless positive effects – from repelling mosquitoes and lizards to better sleep, reducing headaches, helping with mood, anxiety, and depression, lessening menstrual pain and reducing colin symptoms in infants, etc. [source: Cleveland Clinic].
To get all the benefits of lavender, including Detering lizards, you can implement either or all given practices for great results;
- If your location supports the climate needed for lavender, then you must grow it in your garden, buy a lavender vase, and put it near the windows for proper sunlight. The scent of lavender will not only repel lizards and other bugs but also make your house look more aesthetic.
- Buy lavender essential oil; mix 30-40 drops with 45ml water and put the cup containing this mixture near lizard entry points.
- You also pour the above mixture into a spray bottle by increasing the water-oil ratio to spray it on all the corners.
Pine-Sol or Pine Scented Cleaners
While the scents lose their integrity entirely, they will effectively repel lizards until the aroma disappears. Pine-Sol proved to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from individuals while camping and gardening; we can conclude that it will also help reduce lizard encounters because, till now, lizards have shown repellent qualities towards similar pungent scents.
To use pine sol, take a spray bottle, and fill it half with original Pine-Sol and another half with water. Spray it on your garden, parts of your house, patio, and furniture to keep lizards away. Pine-sol can also keep bears away.
Mothballs
Mothballs are made of pera dichlorobenze or nepthalene. Though, mothballs repel lizards due to their pesticide nature. But, National Pesticide Information Center does not suggest using it in an open atmosphere or even inside your house because whoever is exposed to fumes released by moth balls will laterally mean breathing in pesticide that could cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nose and eye irritation, coughing.
In severe cases, it could also lead to liver and kidney damage due to long-term exposures.
Now, you may ask why moth balls are on this list; it is a potential way to repel lizards by putting them near lizard entering points. Nonetheless, it is not an air-tight condition; you’ll end up inhaling the vapor, which might lead to the causes mentioned previously.
Citronella
According to Volume 7, Issue 1, 2021, PP 01-09 of ARC Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AJPS), the essential oils present in citronella grass or lemongrass can be used as an insect repellent. The oil from these grasses has been utilized as a snake and reptile repellent by certain African and Asian countries.
As we learn in school, lizards are avowed as reptiles, so the citronella grasses and oils can be used to repel them. To use it effectively, take one cup of water and mix it with 1/4 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil; bring the concoction in a spray bottle. Shake it well and spray it on parts of your home or lizards prone areas.
Black Pepper
I hunch that spraying black pepper essential oil will irritate lizards due to its pungent, spicy smell that feels like burning.
However, I don’t have any scientific study to back up yet; in my experience, I had not seen even a single lizard when I used black pepper in preparing tea and meals because, when I use it, a hot spicy aroma surrounds my kitchen which seems to repel household lizards.
Either you can use the typical way of sprinkling some black pepper powder in meals and coffee/tea, or you can buy its essential oil; mix a good amount of it in water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, shake it well and spray it around the house.
As the odor will diminish in a few hours to a day (depending on solution concentration), you must repeat the process for the method to work.
Camphor
When we look at the surface, camphor and mothballs look alike – but when I tack camphor – it is an organic substance while mothball is a chemical pesticide. Organic camphor comes from camphor trees, which are essentially non-toxic to humans.
The best way to use camphor as lizard repellent is to take a handful of camphor balls in a pot and put it in lizard zones; not only it will repel the lizards for a few days, but it will also kill the bacteria from the air and science has proved extensive health benefits of camphor – that’s the reason why India actively burn camphor in religious worships (there are indeed spiritual benefits).
Note: Don’t forget to replace the balls every few days as the smell tends to disappear.
Burning camphor and letting the scent spread across your garden, campsite, and inside the home will keep the air refreshed, repel mosquitoes, lizards, and other bugs simultaneously.,
Coffee & Tobacco Powder
First of all, I wouldn’t say I like this method – moreover, I don’t want to write about it because it is believed that the mixture of tobacco and coffee powder kills lizards which I can’t stand.
Ok, some people may have lizard phobia, but if you keep your containers close, these are nonvenomous creatures; they won’t harm you if your fear is primarily household lizard (wild lizards are a different topic altogether).
In a nutshell, take tobacco and coffee power and make its balls using water. Place it near lizards, and if they eat, they will die.
But I oblige you not to follow this method unless your hose or garden is full of lizards in every square foot (which is unlikely))
Exterminators Lizard Repellent
I know what you are thinking – Michael, the product must be toxic. The Lizard Defense by Exterminator’s choice contains 0.26% peppermint oil, 0.13% clove, and 0.13% cinnamon oil. The application is simple – apply the spray anywhere in your garden, campsite, garage, etc., where you don’t want lizards and geckos.
However, it is advised not to use the solution directly on the edible plants. The repelling effect can last up to 2-3 weeks depending on weather conditions; once the smell fades away, reapplies the solution.
Consider reading the back of the spray to know detailed directions, cautions, and what to do if it goes into your eyes. Overall, if you don’t want to spend time preparing and testing natural smells mentioned in these posts, then Exterminator’s choice is the best organic bet you have.
Tabasco Sauce
Tobasco is a well-not hot sauce that emits a spicy smell, which is an effective way to repel lizards. Take two teaspoons of tobacco sauce in a spray bottle, pour some water and shake it well; if the solution is not thin enough, then add extra water so that it can be easily sprayed out in places where you want to repel lizards;
Just make sure not to apply it directly on edible plants and fragrance flowers as it may cut out their smell and change vegetables’ taste.
Read FAQs For Extra Lizard Safety
Do eggshells repel lizards?
No, it is a myth that eggshells repel lizards; maybe people have encountered occasions that lizards’ sight becomes less frequent when they have egg shells hanging around the house, but as per I confirmed with the local people who have tried it have seen no benefit in terms of eggshells as a lizard repellent.
Do spices repel lizards?
Not all, but most spices with a hot smell may repel lizards because lizards are not fond of pungent and overly spicy aromas.
Can Deer Eat Red Kidney Beans? (7 Questions Answered)
Yes, deer can eat red kidney beans; however, that may not be the first food choice for the herbivorous animal. That said, the crimson legume plants are incredibly digestible and do not burden the internal bodily systems in deer.
With that being said you need to know how to properly feed red kidney beans to deer so that their stomach doesn’t go bad just because you’re in hurry to feed them these beans.
How To Feed Red Kidney Beans To Deer?
When feeding red kidney beans to deer, one has to ensure that they offer certain bits of the plant first. In simple words, deer prefer specific parts of bean plants more than others, which is why it’s essential to offer those to the antlered species.
Raw red kidney beans are the best-suited food choice for deer. However, even with that, deer find some sections more appealing such as the leaves.
Leaves
Leaves are the top choice of feed among the whole of red kidney bean plants for deer. Being herbivorous, deer are understandably drawn more towards the leaves, but that doesn’t mean they would reject other food sections.
Blooms
After the greens, the part of red beans that deer prefer is the blooms.
When young, red kidney bean flowers are pale greed pods but eventually grow into distinctive green blooms containing the crimson legumes. Naturally, deer enjoy red kidney blooms in their mature form. Therefore, it’s better to let the seedlings grow before serving them to deer.
Stems or stalks
Stems are the next in line when it comes to feeding red kidney beans to deer.
Can You Give Deer Cooked Red Beans?
Deer like raw food; therefore, giving them cooked beans will not be good for them for a variety of reasons.
First of all, deer have a sensitive digestive system laced with specific microbes and bacteria, which are suited to digest fresh produce. This means if you give cooked red kidney beans to the hoofed mammal, their digestive mechanism may collapse or not break down the food particles properly, resulting in many gut issues.
Secondly, processed food contains additives (condiments and other ingredients) that may not be suited for a deer’s digestive system and lead to many medical conditions.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Bananas?
Lastly, as mentioned earlier, deer prefer certain bits of red beans to others, which get lost when cooked. Consequently, the hoofed ruminant mammal will not appreciate cooked beans.
Common Tummy Issues Deer Can Develop From Improperly Served Red Beans
- Acidosis is a common health issue among deer that results from the wrong feed. It is characterized by a buildup of acid in the digestive tract.
- Diarrhea is also prevalent among the deer population as a stomach problem.
- If fed cooked red kidney beans, deer can get sick and possibly die if not taken care of.
Are Red Kidney Beans Good For Deer?
While red kidney beans are acceptable food items among the deer community, the crop’s nutritional value may not be the most beneficial for deer.
Although kidney beans are packed with protein, ranging from 20-25% of the total nutritional content, they may not provide sufficient fat to deer, which is vital for the said animal family.
Deer need to store fat to get through the winter season. This means they need to consume fat-containing crops more. In that regard, corns make a better food option for deer. However, if your main goal is to provide a generous quantity of protein to deer, red kidney beans are more suitable.
That said, protein is good for the younger population as it’s undergoing growth; therefore, red beans offer sufficient protein content to young deer. On top of that, the essential nutrition helps roe to recuperate after going through pregnancy and childbirth. So, if feeding a new mom, red kidney beans will add more value to the deer’s well-being.
Here is a detailed look into the nutritional details in one cup of red kidney beans:
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Sodium | 1.8mg |
| Potassium | 717mg |
| Calories | 225 |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Sugar | 0.6g |
| Protein | 15g |
| Vitamin A | 0 |
| Vitamin C | 3.5% |
| Calcium | 4.8% |
| Iron | 22% |
What Can You Serve With Red Kidney Beans?
There is a wide variety of staples that you can give a deer along with red kidney beans, including corn.
Aside from that, cereal grains such as oats make a healthy feed choice for deer.
What not to serve deer with red kidney beans
Deer may not necessarily have the best gut response to fruits and vegetables, especially when served with beans or other grains, as those food items add little value to a deer diet. As surprising as it may be, fruits and veggies are not healthy for deer and should only be given once a while as a treat.
Ending Note:
Deer can eat red kidney beans, but those are more beneficial for the weak, young, and new mother deer. That said, combining the said crop with corn or some other high-in-fat staple when preparing deer feed is advisable.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Cabbages?
Do Deer Eat Cabbage? (7 Things To Know)
Deer are quite fond of vegetables since they live in nature around plants. Most of them are herbivores, and their diet consists of fruits and vegetables. All of this shows that these animals eat cabbage and are quite fond of it.
If you are growing cabbage in your garden, then there’s a good chance that they can become a deer’s target. They are one of the first things that a deer would reach for. At the same time, cabbage contains a high amount of nutrients and vitamins, so feeding them cabbage is a great idea.
Keep reading this article to learn more about feeding cabbage to deer and how you can protect your cabbage plants from them.
Can Deer Eat Cabbage?
Yes, deer can eat cabbage. It is one of their favorite vegetables and food items to have. They eat the whole cabbage and cabbage plants, which is why they can easily ruin all the cabbage plants.
If you have deer on your farm or nearby, it is important to feed them cabbage yourself. You should also protect cabbage plants from them as they can wreak havoc and overconsume. By feeding them cabbage yourself, you will ensure that they get the vegetable in moderation and simultaneously protect your cabbage plants.
If you don’t have cabbages on your farm but grow a hell of a lot of Pumpkins or it’s Halloween then instead of throwing them pumpkins can also be a great replacement for cabbages for deer.
Can Deer Smell Cabbage?
Deer have considerably longer noses than humans and other animals. Not to mention the fact that they are also intuitive animals who heavily rely on their senses. All of this contributes to their excellent sense of smell. Hence, these animals can easily sniff out cabbage plants from afar.
The sense of smell in deer is undoubtedly the most powerful in them. Even research shows that a deer’s sense of smell can be 500-1,000 times more accurate than a human’s. This shows that even deer far away can detect cabbage.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Sweet Bananas?
Can Deer Eat Cabbage Recipes?
Deer love cabbage and can eat up to ten pounds of it daily, but this applies only to raw cabbage and cabbage plants. They will likely avert from cooked cabbage or other cabbage recipes. You should also avoid feeding cooked cabbage to deer because it can harm their digestive system and overall health.
Moreover, cooked cabbage reduces its nutritional value, so it is not used to feed it to them. They like to eat raw and natural greens available in the forest, which is what their bodies are naturally accustomed to.
How To Feed Cabbage To Deer?
As mentioned earlier, the best type of cabbage to give deer is in its raw form. Moreover, avoid giving deer ornamental cabbage because they don’t like it.
The best way to feed cabbage is by trimming it and giving them cabbage trimmings. Here are some other things to keep in mind when feeding cabbage to deer:
- The best way to feed cabbage is by trimming it and giving them cabbage trimmings. Scatter the cabbage around in different areas and locations
- If the deer have cabbage for the first time, introduce it to their diet gradually through small quantities
- Set up feeders or keep the cabbage above the ground on shrubs or on the table to avoid pest and insect infestation
How Healthy Is a Cabbage For Deer? (Nutritional Facts)
Cabbage is packed with nutrients and vitamins, which is why it is not only recommended for consumption by humans but also by animals. Cabbage is extremely healthy for deer.
It contains micronutrients like Vitamin A and iron. But moreover, it is chock full of vitamin B6, which significantly aids in proper body functioning, digestion, and the nervous system.
Additionally, cabbage is high in vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant that can improve memory and enhance the overall immune system. It can also protect the deer from any digestive problems or colds.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Eating Carrots?
Here are all the nutritional details of one cup of cabbage:
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 23 |
| Vitamin A | 4.45mcg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.054mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.036mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.208mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.110mg |
| Vitamin B9 | 38.27mcg |
| Vitamin C | 32.6mg |
| Vitamin K | 67.6mcg |
| Carbohydrates | 5.16g |
| Fiber | 2.23g |
| Protein | 1.14g |
| Calcium | 35.6mg |
| Sodium | 16.02mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.68mg |
What Else Can I Feed Deer Along With Cabbage?
Since deer live in the wild, they are fond of a range of vegetables and fruits. Besides cabbage, here are some of the food items you can give a deer:
- Carrot
- Bananas
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Nuts
- Berries
- Apples
- Pears
- Snap beans
- Acorns
- Formulated deer food like pallets
How To Protect Cabbage In Your Garden From Deer?
Cabbages are one of the deer’s favorite vegetables, which is why if you grow them on your farm or garden, they will become a deer’s target. The deer will eat all of the cabbage and destroy the plants and surrounding vegetation.
A deer will often get hungry at night and come to your garden to feed on cabbage. Here is what you can do to protect your crop, especially your cabbage plants:
- Place Deer Deterrents in the Garden
There are various deer deterrents you can place in the garden to keep deer away from the cabbage plants. Some of these include hanging or placing soap bars, scattering human hair, and odor repellents. All of these will alert the deer, and they will not come near the plants anymore.
- Grow Deer-Resistant Plants
Some plants, such as those with sharp odors, will cover the scent of the cabbage plant. Moreover, they will also be too strong, and the deer will not want to come near them. Some examples of deer-resistant plants include onions herb plants like mint, tarragon, oregano, and cucumber plants.
- Implement Fences
High and sturdy fences can be an excellent way to keep deer away from cabbage plants since they will not be able to reach for them. However, deer can jump very high, so you must install tall fences or get electrical ones.
- Grow the Crops near Your House
The closer the cabbage crops are to your house, the less likely are deer to come near it. Deer don’t like to come close to humans because they are scared of them. This is why if you plant cabbage near the house, they will not try to come near it, at least during the day when people are around.
- Keep a Dog
A barking dog behind the fence in your garden is also an excellent way to keep deer away from your cabbage plant. The dog will seem like a predator to them, and they will likely run away from it.
Final Words
Cabbage is one of the deer’s favorite vegetables, which is why they can wreak havoc in your garden if they come across them. You must take the aforementioned necessary steps to protect your crops from deer. The best way to keep them away from your plants is to use a combination of deer deterrents.
Do Deer Eat Green Beans? (4 Questions Answered)
Do deer eat green beans? Absolutely! Deer love munching on green beans and just about every other type of bean, leafy, green veggies, etc., in your garden. They have a voracious appetite and can treat your lawn with its fresh and lively vegetation, fruits, and veggies as their buffet, which is certainly not ideal for your gardening aspirations.
Read on to discover how to protect your green bean foliage from deer!
Can Deer Eat Green Beans?
Deer love to devour green beans, but they will not just eat the beans sprouting on the plant. They will also eat the plant itself, including the leaves, stems, and flowers. If your plants appear to have lots of leaves and stem missing on the upper side of the pole beans, a deer likely munched on them.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Red Kidney Beans?
Are Green Beans Healthy For Deer?
Even though a deer’s nutritional requirements are mostly covered by eating grass and leaves, deer certainly enjoy munching on healthy green beans. They are an exceptional source of Vitamin A, C, and K, and fiber and folic acid.
Here is the nutritional value of 100 grams of green beans:
| Nutrients | Value | Vitamins | Value | Minerals | Value |
| Calories | 31 | Vitamin C | 27% | Magnesium | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 5% | Potassium | 209 mg |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | Vitamin D | 0% | Sodium | 6 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0% | Calcium | 3% | ||
| Carbohydrates | 7 g | Iron | 5% | ||
| Sugar/fiber | 3.4 g | ||||
| Protein | 1.8 g |
How to Determine If Deer Have Been Eating Your Green Beans
Deer tend to feed in the early morning hours and overnight, which means that when you’re sleeping inside the comfort of your home, a deer might be munching on your favorite green bean plant. However, if you’re not certain whether deer have been devouring your green beans or some other pest, look for these signs:
- Hoof Prints: Deer hoof prints have an upside-down heart shape. You might not be able to sport the exact print in soft earth, but you might be able to notice deep, cylindrical imprints in the soil.
- Trampled Plants: Deer don’t always stick to a specific path when walking through a garden. They might trample some of your smaller plants. So keep an eye out for trampled vegetation.
- Deer Droppings: Watch out for tiny piles of round, pebble-shaped droppings.
- Torn Leaves: Deer don’t have incisors or upper front teeth, which affects their bit. When a deer bits a plant, it jerks its head and pulls on the leaf or stem. This movement creates a ragged, torn edge on the vegetation. So, if your beans, flowers, stems, or leaves have these marked edges, it’s time to protect your plant from deer.
How to Protect Green Beans from Deer?
As we have established, deer can eat almost any type of bean. However, green beans happen to be one of their favorites. So, if you live in an area with deer sightings and you plan on planting green beans in your garden, you will need to protect your plant from the deer in your area.
Here are some ways in which you can keep deer away from your green bean plants:
Use Repellents
You can use different odor and taste repellents to protect your green bean plants from hungry deer. Invest in a top-quality deer repellent and apply it all over the vegetation. Just follow the instructions on the back meticulously and reapply the solution after watering the plant or a rainy spell.
Moreover, remember to switch between two or more repellents since deer become familiar with the odor and taste over time. If you continue to use a single repellent, it will fail to prevent deer from munching on your green beans.
You can also use DIY repellents such as bar soap shavings. But if you have a high deer population in your area, such a deterrent might not work because either the deer are too hungry or they have gotten too used to living around humans and have familiarized themselves with these odors.
Disguise Your Plant
Another way to protect your green bean plants is to disguise them by hiding them behind or within deer-resistant plants, such as chives, cucumbers, onions, marigolds. Deer don’t like the taste, texture, or odor of these plants so they usually keep away from them.
However, voracious or desperately hungry deer might not be deterred by these plants. Moreover, this tip will work best if you plant string beans instead of pole beans as they are easier to hide amongst ground plants and don’t stick out like pole beans.
Protect the Plant with Varied Objects
You can also try using floating row covers, bird netting, cloches, etc., to protect your green beans from hungry deer. This way, you will also be able to protect your plant from other pests, including raccoons and birds.
Use a Fence
Fencing is inarguably the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden and keep your green beans safe from them. Whether you decide to install a wooden, wire, or electric fence, make sure to install one that is 8 feet tall so that deer cannot jump over it. Also, make sure to cover your entire property so that deer cannot find their way around or underneath the fence.
At the end of the day, remember to be humane toward these animals when protecting your plants, and don’t use forceful or cruel methods to keep them out of your property.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Walnuts?
Do Deer Eat Bananas? (5 Things To Know)
Did you know deer will consume bananas if the fruit is available to them? Bananas are not a regular part of a deer’s diet. However, if someone puts the fruit out for the deer, they will likely not refuse the offer.
A banana offers copious amounts of potassium and fiber. However, beyond that, the fruit does not contain any nutrients that a deer would require.
Now you know that Deer have no problem eating bananas but why do they like bananas so much? and how to properly feed them this sweet thing? If you want to know the answer to these questions and more then keep reading the article.
A fact of the matter is Banana is just one of their favorite meals from their long list that contains apples, carrots, and many more that you can check here to increase your knowledge on feeding deer (deer don’t like to eat just everything)
Why Deer Like Eating Bananas? (Scientific Explanation)
Deer like consuming bananas because the animal has a very strong sweet tooth. In addition, deer do not possess the upper incisors, which are the teeth used by animals for chewing on hard foods. Hence, the banana’s softness is another reason the fruit is attractive to deer.
You can find deer pretty much anywhere in the world, with Antarctica and Australia perhaps being the two exceptions. If deer come across banana trees or plants, they are likely to make a snack out of the fruit.
Banana plants are most often found in tropical areas like Central and South America, Africa, China, and India. This means that several out of the 40+ types of deer found today reside in areas where banana plants are found. These deer types include the Barbary stag, Chinese water deer, and Yucatan white-tailed deer.
Read Also: Should You Feed Halloween Pumpkins To Deer?
When in captivity, deer are usually fed hay. However, since deer-like feeding bananas, the fruit might be offered to them as a special treat every once in a while.
Is It Okay To Feed Bananas (or Other Foods) To Wild Deer?
There are several reasons that animal experts do not encourage feeding wild deer. One reason is that if you feed deer, the animal might stop relying on the natural environment and instead start depending upon humans.
This dependency will ultimately cause deer to become fearless of humans. This is not a good thing since it is the fear of humans that allows deer to remain safe in the wild.
Another reason to avoid feeding the animal is that the feeding sites (that is, the sites where people leave out food for deer to consume) might attract deer in unusually high quantities. This could result in various diseases being transmitted around these animals.
In addition to that, it also attracts predator animals (like mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes) towards these sites, which further puts deer in jeopardy.
If the deer in your area are already reliant on humans, you should start feeding them the kind of foods that the animals are likely to find in the wilderness.
For instance, if the forest floor has been covered by snow, you could leave out some nuts and leaves for the deer in your area. Having said that, feeding them a banana now and then will not cause any problems.
Can Deer Eat Banana Peels?
If you offer a full banana (peel included) to deer, they are likely to eat it. However, this does not mean that deer are meant to eat the peel. Even though a banana’s peel will not prove toxic, it can cause digestion problems.
In addition, you need to consider the fact that peels take up considerable space inside the stomach while providing close to zero nutrients.
This means that the peel will make the deer’s stomach feel full, discouraging the animal from searching for more nutritious foods. Hence, there is a risk that the lack of nutrients might cause the deer to turn malnourished.
Can I Feed Dried Bananas To Deer?
Dried bananas are not good for deer owing to their high sugar content. Once you remove water from bananas, there is nothing much left in the fruit except for sugar.
Deer’s digestive system struggles to break down such large quantities of sugar. Hence, if deer consume dried bananas, they might end up developing stomach pains and other digestive issues.
How To Feed Bananas To Deer
Feed The Fruit In Moderate Amounts:
When introduced to a new diet, deer usually take around 2-4 weeks to adjust. In addition, remember that bananas are not a regular part of their diet. For these reasons, you must not feed too many bananas too soon. You could, for instance, start by giving 10% of the whole banana, along with various other regular deer foods.
Mash And Mix The Bananas:
If you want deer to consume bananas, you must make its consumption easy. When you break bananas into small pieces, it will be easier for the deer to break down and digest the food. If you can feed mashed bananas, that is even better. Also, mashing allows you to add some other deer food to increase the overall nutrition.
Use An Above-ground Surface While Feeding:
Using an above-ground surface can make it harder for pests to reach the banana. Even though pests still might end up reaching the banana, it at least eliminates any non-climbing creatures from this equation.
You could use a shrub or a table to feed the banana. Another option is to even use the bush twigs to place small banana pieces. However, if you do opt for the twigs option, make sure that the twigs are not sharp or pointed, or the deer might end up getting hurt.
Final Word:
While deer do eat bananas, you should feed them this fruit gradually and in moderation. This is because bananas are not regulars in a deer’s diet, and the animal’s digestive system has to work harder to digest the fruit. Although deer can eat banana peels, it is best to remove them since the peels are hard to digest and offer minimal nutrients.
Read Also: How Much Do Deer Like To Eat Walnuts?
Do Deer Eat Pumpkins? (7 Questions Answered)
In a nutshell, pumpkin is amongst a deer’s favorite foods. However, deer prefer eating the guts of the pumpkin rather than its shell, which is why you should break the pumpkin open before you feed it to a deer.
So you know your Initial answer but if you’re wondering how to properly feed pumpkins to deer (raw or cooked)? Are pumpkins healthy for deer & when should you feed pumpkins to deer? If you want to know “to-the-point” answers to these questions without any fluff then keep reading this article.
Deer Eating Habits For Pumpkins
As said deer don’t just go for the pulp of pumpkins rather the whole pumpkin plant can be their night’s meal. For that matter. deer consume both the ripe pumpkin as well as the pumpkin plants. During fall, deer prefer feeding on the actual fruit, while they like to munch on the leaves of the pumpkin plant in the summer season.
Often, the deer would initially consume just the guts, leaving the pumpkin rinds behind. However, once the winter season begins, the deer will return and feed on the leftover rinds. This is because deer struggle to find edible vegetation during winters.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Cabbages?
Do Deer Eat Pumpkin Vines?
As we all know, vines are a very important part as they help bring all the nutrients to the pumpkins themselves and as they can grow to 6 feet every day and can go up to 30 feet. So it is very important to protect the vines from deer.
Though deer don’t like the fuzzy stalks that much so the pumpkin vines are not much in danger they do like flowers so it is very unlikely for a deer to push his head further to leave the juicy flowers and eat the hairy vines.
How To Feed Pumpkin To Deer
Pumpkins are, of course, all the rage during Halloween. However, once the festival is over, people do not quite know what to do with the fruit and they end up throwing it in the trash can. However, a much better idea would be to feed those pumpkins to animals like deer.
As mentioned before, deer love pumpkins. So, if you reside in an area with plenty of deer, you can rest assured that they would love to feed on those ripe and large pumpkins.
Before serving pumpkins to deer, you need to first smash them open. This way, the deer will find it easier to eat the fruit. Else, they will try to use their hooves to crush the fruit open – something that they find very difficult to do, especially when the shells are hard.
After breaking the pumpkin open, you can simply place them in a spot that you know is a regular visiting spot for deer. Once this is done, just sit back and wait. There is a chance that almost all the pumpkins will be gone within the next two to three nights.
Read Also: Do Deer Eat Carrots?
It is important to allow deer sufficient room and space to eat the pumpkins. Being a prey animal, a deer’s survival sense is extremely developed. Hence, if the animal feels that it is being monitored in any way, it will feel threatened and turn away from the pumpkins that you have placed for them.
Read Also: Do Deer Like Kidney Beans?
Since deer are also prey animals, they will avoid entering an area if they sense the presence of humans. Remember that, even when a deer is beyond your eyeshot, it can still sense your presence.
Do Deer Find Pumpkins Attractive?
Indeed, both the pumpkin fruit and its plant are extremely attractive to deer. People growing a pumpkin garden in a deer-dominated area need to take special measures to keep the animal away.
Deer are inclined to consume the food that is most readily and conveniently available. So, if deer find pumpkin during foraging, there is a high chance that they will consume the fruit.
The taste and scent of the pumpkin plant are irresistible to deer. Therefore, they are drawn to pumpkin fields, especially during the summer when the plants are fresh.
In addition, the sharp, orange hue of the fruit means that deer can detect it from a distance, which further adds to the pumpkin attraction.
Although deer enjoy consuming pumpkins, it is not their favorite food. Evergreen plants, grass, beans, acorns, and cultivated vegetables (such as rye or sweet potatoes) are more preferable to deer than pumpkins.
Therefore, if a deer is ignoring pumpkins, it is either because some of the above foods are available to them or the deer are in starvation mode.
Often, hunters grow pumpkins for the sole purpose of attracting deer.
Read Also: Do Deer Eat Ranunculus Plants?
Are Pumpkins Healthy For A Deer?
Pumpkin is a healthy fruit, even for deer. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which means that deer can derive a great deal of nutritional value from pumpkins.
In addition, the pumpkin guts contain large amounts of fiber, which can help strengthen the deer’s bones. In addition, since deer also consume the pumpkin guts, they can benefit from the guts’ high-fat content. Deer are particularly attracted to fat-rich foods as they require fat to be able to survive through the winters.
The commonest type of pumpkin is the round and small type, which is often used during Halloween. You can normally find this pumpkin type in carving pumpkins and field pumpkins. Compared to carving pumpkins, field pumpkins tend to be larger and possess tougher skins.
Usually, carving pumpkins are used for recipes and other cooking purposes. Even though deer can consume green pumpkins, they do not offer as many nutrients as their orange counterparts.
Having said all that, deer can cover almost all their nutritional requirements from leaves and grass. However, this does not mean that the deer will not enjoy a pumpkin snack here and there.
Below are the nutritional details of 100 grams worth of pumpkins:
| Nutrients | Percentage | Vitamins | Percentage | Minerals | Percentage |
| Calories | 26% | Vitamin A | 170% | Magnesium | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 0% (0.1 grams) | Vitamin C | 15% | Iron | 4% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 5% | Cobalamin | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0% | Vitamin D | 0% | Potassium | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 2% | Sodium | 0% (1 mg) | ||
| Sugar/fiber | 2% | Calcium | 2% | ||
| Protein | 2% |
Should You Feed Raw Pumpkin To Deer?
No, a deer will only consume pumpkins that are smashed and ripe. Remember that, even if a pumpkin is cut, it might still not be ripe.
The taste, odor, and color of unripe pumpkins are likely unattractive to deer. Likely, deer are also conscious of tastes.
When Should I Feed Pumpkins To Deer?
The pumpkin seedling starts during May and the fruit grows during June and July. Pumpkins generally take a long time to grow.
The ideal time for deer feeding is before the rut. This is because this is the time when deer require a great deal of energy to breed. Remember to always feed fresh pumpkins; stale ones might end up harming the deer.
Final Word:
To conclude, pumpkins are both desirable to and healthy for deer. If you are planning to introduce this food to any nearby deer’s diet, we hope that the information in this guide will prove beneficial for you.
Read Also: Do Deer Like To Eat Bananas?
Do Deer Eat Walnuts? (Read This First)
Deer are herbivores, which means they feed on vegetation. From fruits and vegetables to leaves and twigs – all of these can be a part of a deer’s diet. Deer will also eat plenty of nuts, like hazelnuts, pecans, and other such nuts. They also eat the twigs and leaves from the trees of these nuts.
But what about walnuts? As humans, we know that walnut is a tough nut to crack – literally. Do deer enjoy eating walnuts the same way they enjoy eating others?
Do Deer Eat Walnuts?
Deer do not eat walnuts the same way they eat other types of nuts. We know that walnuts have a very hard shell and aren’t easy to crack through, which makes it difficult for deer to eat them.
However, deer don’t go looking for walnuts to eat either. Since there are plenty of other options to choose from, deer will prefer a different menu. Whether that’s leaves, catkins, bananas, green beans, pumpkins, cabbages, or other types of nuts like a peanut, deer will usually pick something else rather than walnuts.
Deer will only opt for walnuts if they are very hungry and have nothing else to eat. This will prove to be difficult for them, though, since walnuts have very hard shells. Sometimes, you may find deer eating the leaves or twigs of walnut trees during colder months, but this is also rare.
Sometimes, deer can eat walnut seedlings and sprouts when the plant is still very young. In most cases, though, they will leave it alone until the tree becomes woody.
Read Also: Do Deer Eat Pumpkins?
All parts of the walnut tree secrete a chemical known as juglone. This comes from the leaflets, the roots, and the buds as well. Juglone is a chemical that prevents other plants from a gaseous exchange – that is, exchanging the carbon dioxide in the air for oxygen. This results in their growth being inhibited and is why you are very less likely to find anything growing around a walnut tree.
Juglone is also present in the fruit and husk of the walnut.
Because of juglone production, you will not see other types of vegetation growing around walnut trees. This means that deer have very few options if they are around. While most deer will go find something else like tasty peanuts, even if they have to travel farther away, some will consider eating walnuts if they can manage to crack through the shell. Others will opt for other parts of the walnut plant.
Read Also: Do Deer Eat Cabbages?
Walnut is not a desirable food for deer, so farmers sometimes use walnut trees to deter deer away from their farms. This may be counterproductive, however, since it can prevent your crops from growing too.
Nutritional Value of Walnuts
The main reason deer don’t eat walnuts is that of their extremely hard shells. However, walnuts do have plenty of nutritional value. For one thing, they have fewer carbs and are mostly 65% fat. They contain plenty of protein as well and have several important vitamins needed for muscle mass.
Walnut leaves will contain juglone, though, which can be toxic for some animals.
Do Deer Avoid Walnuts?
Again, because walnuts release juglone, they hinder the growth of any plants around them. This means that any food deer would have had in the area doesn’t grow due to the presence of walnut trees.
As such, deer are likely to stay away from the area, if only because they cannot find the food they need.
Walnut shells also give off a pungent smell which many deer do not like, and may avoid. However, deer do not avoid walnut trees in themselves. While they do not like the smell and would prefer being in an area with food, they do not mind walnuts.
As mentioned earlier, they will also eat walnuts and parts of the plant in situations where other types of food are not available.
While deer are likely not a threat to your walnut trees by making walnuts their meals, there are other ways deer can harm your walnut tree.
Deer will usually rub their bucks and antlers against the bark of different trees – and this includes walnut trees. When they do this, the bark gets damaged. Repeated behavior would result in the antlers damaging the tree inside the trunk. This is where the trees’ transport systems are, which carry water and nutrients from the roots to all other parts.
Damage to this part can interrupt the movement, and in some cases, kill the tree as well.
As such, even though walnut trees are used to deter deer in some cases, deer can kill these trees.
So, while deer will likely not eat walnuts unless they are left with no other choice, there are ways they can damage walnut trees otherwise. It is advised to keep a fence around your walnut trees if you are trying to prevent deer damage.
It is also advised to give deer food other than walnuts to keep them healthy.
Do Deer Eat Soybeans? (9 Things To Know)
Indeed, deer eat soybeans; it is among their favorite foods, together with corn, green beans, and pumpkin. Deer eat soybeans from when they are germinating to when ready for harvest. The beans are nutritional for deer, especially with proteins from the pods and roughage from the soybean plant.
Knowing that deer eat soybeans is not all you need to know about the deer-soybean relationship. Deer, like all animals, have preferences on how they like the beans and what time of the year beans taste best. Keep reading this article as it extensively looks into all the facts about deer and soybeans.
Do deer eat soybean seed or plants?
Deer will eat every part of the soybean. Right from germination to harvest as they are a ready protein source for lactating doe and antler growth. Deer love soybean leaves when the leaves are green and juicy.
Deers, however, love the green soybean plant more than they love the seed, but they will not spare the seeds, especially when they are dry and brown. Soybean forage is rich in water, and deer get more water from their food than from directly drinking water.
Do deer eat soybeans that turn brown?
Deer will surprisingly eat soybeans all year round. However, they do not like brown beans the same way they love other crops like corn or acorns. Deer will eat brown soybeans if they have no alternative but give them other options, and they will pick it over beans.
It is important to note that deer will eat roasted soybeans faster than soybeans beans in any other form. The aroma from the beans attracts deer, and roasted is good as it allows for a larger nutrient intake.
If you intend to feed deer with brown soybeans in a feeder, ensure to soak the beans in water as the deer will shun the beans if they are dry.
Read Also: Can Deer Eat Cabbages?
Will soybeans grow back after deer eat them?
Soybeans are great for deer, mainly because they are a source of various nutrients and can regrow after the deer browse them. Germinating seedlings will regrow as long as they have the cotyledon intact. Cotyledons are the first two leaves that come out with germinating legumes.
More mature soybean crops will regrow and spread out too if eaten by deer. The beans will not regrow that quickly, though, if the deer uproot the plant. Some soybean seed manufacturers have seeds that keep producing forage even after flowering or losing leaves to deer.
Do deer eat soybean meal?
Deer eat soybean meal; however, they do not like it as much as they love other feeds. Deer are pretty cautious about their food intake; thus, they will eat a small amount of the meal. The extra protein in the feed is also not good for deer. Therefore, only a moderate amount is suitable.
As a workaround, you can mix soybean meal with corn and gradually increase the soybean meal. Switching works especially for deer not familiar with the meal or those who seem reluctant to try it.
Will deer eat soybeans in winter?
Deer will eat soybeans during winter, especially the seeds. The fat content in the beans is enough to push the deer through the rut and the winter until spring.
Deer will reduce their carb intake during the winter and increase protein such as soybeans since they need to bulk by getting the proper nutrition. Deer will also eat soybeans because natural food resources are scarce during the winter.
What is the best time of year to feed soybeans to deer?
Generally speaking, the best time to feed deer soybeans is when there are soybeans. Soybean foliage is a favorite for deer during the spring.
After the rut during winter, when weight gain is necessary for the deer is a good time to feed them soy meal or soybeans. During winter, deer will readily eat the beans as their food choices are narrow. However, it is not advisable to provide for deer during the winter as it can spread diseases or cause social stress with the deer.
Deer have organs to select their food, so if there are no soybeans available they have other choices like carrots, pumpkins, cabbages, bananas, kidney beans, and even some nutritional grasses that deer like to eat.
How to plant soybeans for deer?
The variety of soybean you plant will determine the steps to follow. Ensure to test the soil for the proper Ph levels (5.9 to 7.0) and that the soil has appropriate nutrients. The soil temperature should be over 60 degrees.
If you plant by broadcasting, ensure to broadcast seeds at a rate of about 80 pounds per acre. For drilling, use 50 pounds per acre. The seedbed should be free from rocks, weeds, or branches.
For those who prefer no-till planting, ensure to clear weeds using a pesticide at least three weeks before planting. Do not forget to inoculate the seeds before planting.
For better yield results, consult your seed supplier as there are varieties for different places, the type of soil, and how fast you want to harvest.
Is soybean healthy for deer?
The primary nutrient from soybeans is protein. Other nutrients are in the healthy seeds for deer, especially growing fawns. The table below shows the nutrient composition of soybeans.
Nutrient | Dry matter % In Soybeans |
| Crude protein | 37.8% |
| Calcium | 2.62 |
| Potassium | 15.93 |
| Phosphorous | 5.70 |
| Fat | 18.38 |
| Crude fiber | 5.12 |
| Starch | 4.66 |
| Leucine | 4.0 |
| N-free-extractive | 24.00 |
| Isoleucine | 1.76-1.98 |
Read Also: How Much Do Deer Love To Eat Bananas?
How to properly feed soybeans to deer?
You can use a deer feeder by suspending it in the middle of the farm. If the soybeans are dry, ensure to soak them in water. You can use roasted soybeans as deer love those and will jump over a fence if they catch even a whiff. For soybeans forage, ensure the food plot is accessible and deer will feed themselves.
Do deer like corn or soybeans better?
Deers love corn better than soybeans. Luckily, they tend to accept soybeans after getting familiar with them. Too much corn also causes acidosis and death; thus, mixing up corn with soybeans is essential for survival.
Conclusion
We have seen that deer are picky eaters when they have a variety; they choose soybeans over other foods. The beans have valuable nutrition for proper deer growth thus are an excellent feeding choice for the deer.
Do Deer Eat Beets? (3 Beets That Deer Love Most)
Beets are a popular and healthy food choice for deer! From the leafy greens down to the buried roots, beets of all types are commonly used as deer feed or foraged by wild deer. Here’s everything you need to know about deer and beets!
Best Parts of Beets
While every part of beet is attractive to deer, the easy availability of beet greens means they typically graze on these first. In winter or when food is scarce, deer are more willing to work harder for their food- this means they might start digging for the beetroot. While deer love every part of a beet plant, they will typically eat the easiest parts (the greens) before the root.
Beet pulp is also a commonly used deer feed. Beet pulp is exactly what it sounds like- ground-up beetroot. It is often mixed with molasses, corn, or other veggies to make it even more appetizing to deer! In other words, feeding beets to deer is a much better choice than offering deer meat.
Related: Do Deer Eat Sorghum Plants?
Types Of Beets That Deer Love
There are many types of beets, but the most popular for deer feed is the sugar beet. These veggies are very sweet and easily digestible, making them an attractive option for deer. Despite this, deer will happily eat many varieties of beets. Here are some of the most common varieties and their attractiveness to deer.
| Type of Beet | Deer Preference |
| Sugar Beet | Known to attract deer commonly used as animal feed favorite of hungry deer Very sweet |
| Red Beet | More commonly consumed by humans popular with deer Highly nutritious |
| Golden Beet | Less sugar makes them less favored Still commonly eaten by deer |
How Deer Find Beets
Deer are expert foragers. They have an incredible sense of smell- five times better than dogs! They use their noses to sniff out food. Beet greens are easily visible and extremely attractive to deer. Come late fall or winter; deer will start digging for food.
With all the vegetation gone, it’s easier to find and consume the beetroot. Beets are also commonly used as bait or deer feed. In this case, deer will remember where the stashes are located and return here when hungry.
Read Also: Can Deer Eat Cabbage? (Is It Healthy For Deer?)
Nutritional Value of Beetroot
Beets are a healthy option for hungry deer! They’re high in fiber, easily digestible, and contain around 20% of a deer’s daily protein. They also serve as a great source of essential vitamins and minerals.
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 grams |
| Calories | 44 |
| Protein | 1.7g |
| Fat | .2g |
| Carbs | 10g |
| Fiber | 2g |
How to Feed Beets to Deer
While feeding deer may seem fun and harmless, it’s essential to do so responsibly. Check laws surrounding feeding wildlife before leaving beets out for deer. Improper feeding can spread disease or prove fatal to deer. Once you’ve determined it’s legal in your area, it’s time to start!
Beetroot can be bought in bulk at many farms and feed stores. Beet greens are also available, though they’re a more expensive and perishable option. Beetroot is the most popular part of the plant for animal feed. Beet pulp is also an option- this is readily available in many rural or agricultural areas. Only provide raw beets for deer.
Cooking beets decreases their nutritional value and is less natural. Cooked beets also spoil very quickly, whereas raw beetroot can be kept for a long time.
Start slow
Deer are opportunistic foragers, so they’ll happily eat anything they find. However, dramatic or quick changes in diet can cause bloat and death in deer. Start by placing just a few beets out. If desired, slowly increase the number of beets you provide.
Pile the beets away from busy areas.
While cute, deer are still wild animals and can be unpredictable. For the safety of both you and the deer, keep the beets away from people. Busy roads, hiking trails, houses, or other feed piles can spook deer or cause dangerous human-wildlife conflicts.
Give them time
As mentioned before, deer have an incredible sense of smell. As prey animals, they’re very cautious around new or unfamiliar scents. After you first leave the beets out, they’ll smell like you! Give the deer some time to acclimate to the smell and assess that there’s no danger before they come to eat.
Observe from a distance
Watching wild deer is fun, but don’t get too close. You might scare them away! They could also become acclimated to humans, which is extremely dangerous and often leads to unfortunate consequences for the deer. Give them plenty of space!
Best Time to Feed Deer Beets
The best time to feed beets to deer is in winter. This is when naturally occurring food is scarce, and many deer may be facing starvation. Beets will be a welcome and nutritious treat in the colder months. Deer will also start to rut, which significantly increases their appetites.
While you can feed deer any time of year, they’re much less likely to visit food piles in the spring and summer. During warmer months there are plenty of tasty options for them to forage on their own.
Protecting Beets From Deer
While there are many methods to keep deer out of gardens, many fail to derail hungry wildlife. The best way to ensure deer do not eat your beets is to enclose the garden with an eight-foot fence. Deer are known to regularly jump heights of six feet, so paying attention to fence height is important! Bird netting can be draped over your beet crop, but a determined deer can push it down.
Motion-activated sprinklers, coyote urine, or noisemakers may work temporarily, but deer will quickly learn that they are not real threats.
These things may work with beets, but there’s no way to prevent deer from feeding plants like kudzu that grow and spread all over the place. Interestingly, many people want deer to come and eat kudzus due to their nature. You can read more about it here.
Conclusion
Beets are an attractive and nutritious option to add to any deer’s diet! As long as it is done responsibly, providing beets for wild deer can increase the health of the herd. From beet greens to beetroots and pulp, every part of this vegetable is a great addition to any deer’s diet.
Read Also: Is It Healthy to Feed Pumpkin to Deer?
Do Deer Eat Ranunculus? (Explained)
Deer are cute and good-looking animals; however, they are herbivores and ferocious eaters. As an aspiring farmer, the sight of a deer herd leisurely grazing in your garden is sure to give you headaches and chills.
Even so, not all is lost, as there are ranunculus plants you can grow in your garden to keep the deer herds away.
Read on to learn more about how Ranunculus repels deer and how many you should plant to keep your garden safe.
Do deer eat Ranunculus? (Explained)
Often, deer avoid ranunculus plants since they have a solid acrid scent and taste; they also blister the deer’s mouth.
Deer keep away from plants with intense aromas, are thorny, or simply hard to eat.
They prefer eating plants with juicy stems and leaves with mild or no scents like the bamboo leaves.
Remember that deers can eat ranunculus plants; they only choose not to when they have other choices.
On the other hand, deer tend to eat anything during drought or hunger. In some extreme cases, they even munch on thorny plants.
Read Also: Should Deer Eat Bananas?
Benefits of having Ranunculus at home
By planting ranunculus plants at home, you will be keeping away the deers from your garden while also beautifying it. Many people buy these flowers for their aesthetic benefits.
In addition, some of the ranunculus plants have medical applications.
Note, Rananculs is a general term referring to a group of flowers with more than four hundred species.
Buttercup flowers are the most popular type of ranunculus flowers, and they too are in many species.
Many ranunculus plants are perennial, though some are terrestrial, herbaceous, aquatic, or biennial.
Ranunculus plants tend to produce smooth fruits. Some are hooked and others hairy, and some have fuzzy leaves—one of the reasons that deer avoid eating them.
Another advantage of having these plants at home is that they are perennial crops, so you do not have to keep planting them repeatedly.
They grow back on their own. All you have to do is occasionally clear away the weeds and pests, and the plants will be fine.
Read Also: Should Deer Eat Cabbages?
Where to place Ranunculus to repel deer?
Now that you know that Ranunculus plants are deer resistant and offer plenty of benefits.
You may be wondering, where exactly in your garden should you plant ranunculus plants?
Before we answer the above question, we need to first look at the common types of ranunculus flowers you can buy.
- Buttercups
- Ranunculus Ficaria
- Ranunculus Asiaticus
- Ranunculus Hanoi
- Ranunculus Venere
- Ranunculus Nivalis
- Ranunculus Acris
To effectively keep away the deer, experts advise planting ranunculus plants at the edges of the garden and randomly throughout the garden.
The main reason is deer are brilliant animals with a keen sense of smell. Hence, they will quickly notice where the repellants are and where they are not.
They will thus eat parts of the garden that lack the ranunculus plants, causing you significant loss.
In the same vein, you should also plant various ranunculus plants to prevent the deer from being accustomed to one species.
Because when deers get accustomed to a plant and experience hunger, then there are high chances they will eat it.
Thus, ensure you plant various ranunculus plants throughout the garden while placing more of them at the edges. Most importantly, plant more of the thorny Ranunculus at the ages.
A point to remember is that some ranunculus plants are opportunistic colonizers.
Thus you should systematically control their growth, thereby preventing them from harming other plants in your garden.
How many Ranunculi should I place?
There is no specific number of ranunculi you should plant. However, some factors can help you determine how many to plant.
These factors include
- Size of the garden
- Frequency and intensity of the deer attacks
Let’s look at each of these factors closely.
Size of the garden
If you have a large garden, you should consequently plant many ranunculus flowers throughout the garden. The inverse is true for a smaller garden
The critical point here is to consider the spacing to avoid plant overcrowding. Good plant spacing should be at least one to three meters apart per plant.
Frequency and intensity of the deer attacks
Maybe your small garden is constantly invaded by a herd of deers. Then it would be advisable to plant lots of ranunculus flowers while following the plant spacing guidelines.
What happens if a deer eat Ranunculus?
Deer generally avoid eating Ranunculus, but when they do, they may experience:
- Excessive salivation
- Bloody diarrhea
- Serious mouth blisters
- Gastrointestinal pains
Planting ranunculus plants in your garden can be a productive method to keep the deer away.
However, like with everything else, it all comes down to proper planning and execution to get the best results.
