The RSPCA has warned that deer are increasingly entering urban gardens and eating prized plants and flowers, with physical barriers recommended as the only reliable defence.
Dr Rebecca Machin, wildlife expert at the charity, said deer usually live in forests, moors and parkland and prefer to keep their distance from people where possible. More recently, they have been seen in more urban environments, particularly in gardens, golf courses, roads and railway lines.
Smaller deer species such as muntjac or roe deer may find a gap in a fence to enter a garden and nibble on plants, the charity said.
Damage to plants and flowers
Dr Machin said that while many people enjoy seeing these animals nearby, they can sometimes cause damage to plants, flowers, trees and shrubs.
Asked how best to protect plants, the expert pointed to guidance from the British Deer Society.
Physical barriers advised
The society says the "only real defence" is to install a physical barrier so passing deer cannot access plants and flowers. It advises that the base should be comprehensively dug or turfed in if it is not to be breached, noting that deer can be quick to exploit the smallest gap.
Lightweight plastic meshes should be avoided as they are not robust enough and deer can end up tangled in them.
Homemade deterrents
The society lists several deterrents that some gardeners say have worked, although success can vary. These include hanging rags soaked in creosote, diesel-soaked cloth strips, unwashed hair placed in tights or muslin at deer head height and replaced monthly, lion dung in pellet form, and scented soap that does not need replacing until dissolved.
Feeding repellents may also be applied, although these can be expensive and could add toxicity to a garden. Visual or sonic deterrents may be tried, but deer can get used to them and may find a way around them. Full guidance is available on the British Deer Society website.
