Deer in a yard.

How to get rid of nuisance deer

Help keep deer away from your property with these ideas for repellants, noises, barriers and deer resistant plants.

Deer can be one of your lawn's worst enemies. Consider these tips to help prevent nuisance deer from taking over your yard.

Deer repellents

Certain odors and tastes can help deter deer. Use a store-bought deer repellent, hang a bar of soap from a tree limb or try a suggestion below for a homemade deer repellent:

Be sure to apply repellents at least 24 hours before expected precipitation. Spray mixtures to heights of at least six feet and reapply every 30 days.

How to scare deer away

Some tactics you may use to frighten nuisance deer include:

Keep deer from shrubs, flowerbeds and trees

Wrapping shrubs and flowerbeds in netting creates a barrier between the plants and the deer. Placing tubing around tree trunks offers protection, but be sure it's loose enough to allow tree growth.

Deer fencing

Building a fence can help keep nuisance deer at bay. Electric fencing can be cost effective and efficient for deterring deer.

If you're building a fence, you'll want to make sure that it is at least 8 feet high and made of woven wire.

Deer repellent plants

Another way to prevent your yard from becoming the neighborhood buffet is to use plants that deer find unappetizing. Deer are very selective grazers, so once they begin munching on deer deterrent plants, they will move on to the next location.

Before planting, confirm that the plants are a match for your area by referencing the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. You’ll also want to know if plants are poisonous to people or pets.

Here are some suggestions for annuals:

  • Floss Flower
  • Signet Marigold
  • Verbena
  • Snapdragon
  • Foxglove
  • Dusty Miller
  • Sunflower
  • Forget-me-not
  • Foxglove
  • Dahlia

Here are some suggestions for perennials:

  • Russian Sage
  • Bee Balm
  • Bleeding Hearts
  • Astilbe
  • Lamb’s Ear
  • Liatris
  • Salvia
  • Dusty Miller
  • Lavender
  • Yucca
  • Wood Hyacinth

Before taking action, review your local game laws or speak with fish and wildlife officials to verify the action you are considering is legal.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

Start a quote

Select a product to start a quote.

Find agents near
you or contact us

There’s one ready to offer personalized service to fit your specific needs.

Related articles

How to protect against spider and insect bites

Know how to keep spiders and insects away.

DIY pest management & wildlife control tips

Tired of dealing with underground animals and nuisance wildlife? Try these wildlife control ideas.

Tree trimming tips

Tree pruning and trimming tips for using the right tools and making the right cuts.

How to keep birds away from your house

Are birds turning into a nuisance on your property? These bird deterrents will help you keep unfriendly fowl at bay.