Do Deer Eat Grapevines?

Scare Tactics

• Fluttering pie pans and metallic ribbons are visual disturbances that can deter birds as well as deer. Noisemakers like firecrackers or propane-powered cannons won't make you popular with the neighbors, but they will deter pests even more effectively -- at least for a while. Electronic scare devices are less noxious to the neighbors and easier to maintain, especially if solar powered. But the problem with trying to frighten away both birds and deer is that the novelty wears off.

Deer Repellents

• Most repellents, whether homemade or commercially produced, protect ornamental or edible crops by making them much less tasty to the deer browsing deer that sample them. Even when reasonably effective, repellents can only reduce deer damage, not eliminate it. If repellents are applied after deer have discovered your tasty grapevines and grapes, they won't work at all. For deer that jump your backyard fence, leaving the family dog outside may help repel them.

Netting

• Netting is inexpensive and very effective for protecting grapes from birds and mammals alike if you can devise a way to completely enclose your vines, top to bottom. The main drawback to netting is that it can get entangled in your vines and grapes and make access quite difficult for you, too.

Traditional or Hedge Fencing

• Excluding deer with fencing is the best permanent solution. Deer can easily jump heights of 10 feet or more, but they generally don't like to make that much effort. An 8-foot-tall fence will usually keep them out of your yard, garden or vineyard. Permanent fencing even of the simplest type -- poles and sturdy wire mesh -- can get expensive for large areas, however. Growing a permanent tall hedge of shrubs deer don't like to eat is another option, though it takes many years.

Electric Fencing

• An electric fence system is a simple, quick fencing solution that most people can afford, even in rural areas, now that solar-powered fence chargers are widely available. But because deer would rather go under a fence -- or through it -- rather than jump it, you need to faithfully maintain your fence and its electric charge. Make sure that fallen limbs or weeds don't short it out. The University of Massachusetts Extension also suggests earning the respect of deer from the start by "baiting" your fence with hanging metal tabs smeared with peanut butter -- assuring that their first contact with your fence will be with their sensitive tongues or noses rather than a minor sting on tough hide elsewhere.