Tonics to Keep Deer From Eating Rose Bushes

Contact Repellents

• There are two types of repellents: contact and area. Contact repellents are sprayed on the roses and have a bad taste to discourage hungry deer. Contact repellents generally include whole eggs and may also include ingredients such as dried blood, soap and garlic. A high percentage of hot sauce was shown to be highly effective in repelling deer in Colorado. A combination of these ingredients blended together should be applied every 30 days.

Area Repellents

• Area repellents are hung or spread near or around rose bushes. These repellents have a strong scent that works to discourage deer from approaching. Deer are timid creatures. Placing tuffs of human hair in mesh bags around your rose bushes may stop them from munching on tender growth. Use dirty hair gathered from your local hair salon for best results. Wolf or coyote urine, mothballs and the shells of boiled shrimp have also been known to repel deer. Strong smelling deodorant soaps, placed around the roses, encourage deer to leave your garden alone.

Chemical Repellents

• There are both area and contact deer repellents on the market today. Deer Away, also known as Big Game repellent, is highly effective. This solution is comprised of rotten eggs. Thiram and Hinder were also shown to have some success, according to Colorado State University. Repellents tend to work better in smaller yards and with a small deer population. Chemical repellents are classified as pesticides and should be used with caution and according to label directions.

Alternatives

• Plant deer-resistant perennials or annuals around your roses to discourage deer. Foxglove, cranesbill geranium and globe thistle are good choices as they have strong scents or unappetizing textures. Marigolds and zinnia are annuals deer tend to avoid. Some roses are more resistant to deer than others. Rugosa roses are a good choice for the deer-infested garden. These roses have thorny canes and the leaves are thick and rough. Select highly fragrant roses, such as Rosa Agnes or Rosa Hansa, as their strong scent also repels deer.