They may look cute and innocent, with their large dewy brown eyes and perky ears, but those marauding deer can spread disease and do a lot of damage to your property, fencing, and garden.
Even though you may have installed a sturdy fence to keep them out, deer are extremely proficient at negotiating and jumping over fences. However, you can take control by investing in a deer repellent, which is a highly effective way of stopping hungry deer from eating your plants and flowers.
The 7 Best Deer Repellents
- Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent (Our Top Pick)
- Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent
- I Must Garden Deer Repellent
- Enviro Pro Deer Scram Repellent
- Univerayo Electronic Deer Repellent
- Hoont Motion Activated Water Jet Blaster
- GARDEN SECRETS Professional Ultrasonic Animal Repeller 3-pack
Our Top Pick for the Best Deer Repellent
Our top pick for the best deer repellent is the Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent.
The Bobbex repellent solution contains a specially formulated combination of natural ingredients that are guaranteed to scare away all types of deer out of your garden.
Although the all-natural solution can be a little tough on your sense of smell, its strong odor does fade, but its potent effect on the deer will continue to work for up to 2 months in most weather conditions.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Deer Repellent
Several deer repellent products can help you take control of any deer that are invading your garden and destroying your plants: sprays, granules, electronic and ultrasonic repeller units, and sprinkler/jet sprays.
Some work very well as stand-alone repellents but if you have a large deer invasion, you might want to consider targeting them by using a combination of more than one type of repellent, such as a combination of an electronic repellent with a spray.
4 Types of Deer Repellents
1. Natural Deer Repellents
These days, there is no need to use harsh toxic chemicals to ward off marauding pests and predators. Many naturally-formulated deer repellents work very effectively, without causing any harm to the animal.
There are highly concentrated sprays such as the very popular Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent 2.5-gallon spray that contains all-natural and recycled ingredients such as putrescent whole egg solids, garlic cloves, wintergreen oil, fish meal, fish oil, urea, magnesium sulfate, magnesium silica, sodium benzoate, cat food, and water.
This environmentally friendly concoction is completely harmless to all forms of wildlife, but animals such as deer are known to have a very canny sense of smell and one whiff of this powerfully smelly mix will keep them away from your prized plants.
One thing to remember when using this very potent mix is that you may have to wear a protective face mask as the smell can be quite overpowering, but the smell lessens as it dries. You may not be able to detect the smell but deer certainly can and if they are especially hungry, just one lick will have them running for the hills.
Other sprays such as the I Must Garden Deer Repellent include botanical oils from plants that deer hate such as peppermint, lemongrass, cinnamon, and clove. However, they provide a very pleasant smell for humans.
The only downside of using a spray or a granular repellent is that you will need to reapply the product every month, or every 2 weeks, depending on the weather. One of the great aspects of using a spray is that you can apply the product to individual plants that deer like to feed on.
2 Important Tips to Remember When Applying a Spray or a Granular Deer Repeller:
- If you want to use a spray or granules, some repellents cannot be used on plants that are grown for human consumption such as vegetables or herbs, so always read the product’s information before you apply it. Also, if you want to protect your fruit and vegetables, you can always use a spray and apply it just to the leaves, so that the fruit and vegetables remain untainted.
- The best time to apply deer repellent (spray or granular) is when the weather is warm and dry, preferably when the temperature is 40˚F or warmer and your plants are dry and avoid spraying in windy conditions. You may also need to reapply the spray or granules frequently, especially after raining or snowing.
Products such as the Enviro Pro Deer Scram Repellent, which is tagged as America’s Finest Deer and Rabbit Repellent™, contain granules that can be scattered around the plants that deer love to munch on.
The granules create a deer-free barrier, and although these granules release an offensive smell to the unsuspecting deer, the granules are biodegradable and will break down into the soil, which makes them very safe to use around all types of plants.
2. Electronic Devices
If you prefer a no-mess-no-fuss approach to repel deer, invest in an electronic or ultrasonic deer repellent. These maintenance-free devices have no odor and they provide a clean and effective way of repelling deer.
Electronic devices are solar-powered and have a strong battery and a pulsing red light that mimics the red eyes of a predator, which will scare away deer that hunt or feed among the foliage in your garden at night. This very compact unit can also be perceived as a surveillance system with its red blinking light.
3. Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices have motion-activated sensors that detect when deer are approaching and then emit special high-frequency sounds that deer cannot stand. The device may also use powerful LED lights in conjunction with ultrasonic sounds that make the repeller even more effective at scaring away deer and other nocturnal animals.
4. Water Jet/Deer Sprinkler Repellents
Another innovative type of repellent is a deer sprinkler. It works like a water sprinkler system that you may use to water your garden or spray your fruit trees. However, it has a motion-activated sensor that is activated as soon as an animal enters your property and then releases a powerful jet of water that scares the animal away.
Once they feel the startling water jet they will think twice about foraging for food in your garden.
These types of repellents provide you with a very humane way of controlling a deer invasion, and you can even utilize a combination of these devices.
7 Best Deer Repellents – Reviews
1. Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent
One of the most successful deer repellents, Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent is an all-natural solution that has been proven to be highly effective against whitetail deer, blacktail deer, mule deer, elk, and moose.
The special formula contains a combination of smell and taste deterrents and all-natural and recycled ingredients such as putrescent whole egg solids, garlic, cloves, wintergreen oil, fish meal, fish oil, urea, magnesium sulfate, magnesium silica, sodium benzoate, cat food, and water. This environmentally friendly solution is completely harmless to all forms of wildlife. However, it will scare away deer from your garden and stop them from devouring your plants.
Bobbex is easy to use, the concentrate can be mixed with water in a spray bottle and the 2.5-gallon repellent makes up a 22.5-gallon mixture when mixed with water. However, the ratio of product to water depends on the time of year, so follow the instruction on the product for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter mixing instructions and application.
The repellent spray can be applied directly to the plants that deer have been seen previously devouring and will last for up to 2 months before another application is needed, and the product will not wash off. Although the repellent is safe to use on ornamentals and most vegetable plants, it is not intended to be used on edible leaves and herbs, or rough-skinned berries such as raspberries or strawberries.
Even though the product will not wash off in the rain, to get the best results, apply in dry weather, and the mix has a very potent smell, so you may want to wear a face mask during application. However, the smell dissipates quickly when the product dries, but it will continue to repel deer. Bobbex also makes a Ready to Use Deer Repellent with an E-Z 48-oz Pump Sprayer.
Pros
- Highly effective deer repellent
- Excellent value for money
- Can be used to repel all types of deer and also moose
- All-natural ingredients
- Environmentally-friendly
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not to be applied to edible leaves, herbs, fruit, and vegetables
- Has a very potent smell
- Works best in dry weather
2. Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent
A pleasant-smelling heavy-duty concentrate that effectively repels deer, the Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent is a very good choice. One of the highlights of this long-lasting repellent is that you can spray it on all your plants even the leaves and herbs that you use in your food, as the repellent contains all-natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals or poisons and it will not wash off.
The repellent has a very pleasant peppermint smell, and it can be used all year round, spring, summer, fall, and winter, and the concentrate makes 2.5-gallons when mixed with water. Deer Out also offers the repellent in a 2-pack and a starter kit that contains a 32-ounces bottle and a 40-ounces Ready To Use Solution in a spray bottle.
Two things to keep in mind when applying the concentrate is that you will have to reapply it every 2 weeks, and deer may continue to appear in your garden. However, they will be so repulsed by the smell they will not eat your plants. Deer Out also offers a very generous 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Very effective deer repellent
- All-natural concentrate
- Can be sprayed on all types of plants
- Will not wash off
- Can be applied all year round
- Pleasant peppermint smell
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Have to apply the product regularly
- Money-back guarantee
3. I Must Garden Deer Repellent
If your garden is being invaded by precocious deer who are relentlessly ravaging your plants and flowers, then the I Must Garden Deer Repellent will have them fleeing your garden.
This amazing ready-to-use spray combines two highly effective repellents, as well as containing ingredients that are known to scare away deer, such as eggs, fish oil, and garlic. IMUSTGARDEN increases the potency of this concentrate by adding botanical oils from plants that deer hate which are peppermint, lemongrass, cinnamon, and clove.
The all-natural ingredients mean you can safely use this product around people, pets and it is environmentally friendly. The added botanical oils have a nice spicy scent, which makes the application process so much easier. The natural oils also help to increase the effectiveness and longevity of the repellent with very quick results.
IMUSTGARDEN also supplies a large range of deer concentrate products from a 32-ounces hose-end sprayer to a 2.5-gallon bottle, and all of its products are long-lasting and rain-resistant.
Pros
- Very affordable price
- Highly effective deer repellent
- Easy-to-use spray concentrate
- All-natural ingredients
- Pet-friendly
- Environmentally friendly
- Pleasant odor
- Long-lasting and rain-resistant
Cons
- Sprayer can become clogged quickly
- Need to reapply product regularly
4. Enviro Pro Deer Scram Repellent
The Enviro Pro Deer Scram Repellent is a great choice for home-use, landscapers, and professional gardeners and it works very effectively at repelling those hard to deter deer and rabbits before they start eating your plants.
One of the highlights of this repellent is that you do not have to reapply the product as often as a spray. Deer Scram is very easy to use and should be applied every 30-45 days, and as it is water-soluble it will not wash away.
The all-natural granules come in a large 25 pounds pail and they contain no synthetic additives, and as they are non-toxic and biodegrade into high nitrogen organic nutrients, they are highly beneficial for the health of your plants.
Enviro Pro Deer Scram is not only an effective tool for repelling unwanted pests such as white-tailed deer and rabbits, but it is also safe to use around most pets. If you have pets, be careful using it around dogs, if they eat the product, it can affect their digestion.
The smell and taste of the granules will discourage deer and rabbits from returning to your garden but they do not have an unpleasant odor for humans, so you can apply the repellent granules and tend to your plants without any discomfort.
Pros
- Very good repellent
- Easy to apply
- Only has to be re-applied every 30-45 days
- Pleasant odor
- Non-toxic and biodegradable
- Highly beneficial for plant health
- Rain and snow resistant
Cons
- Lid is hard to open
- Avoid using the product around dogs
5. Univerayo Electronic Deer Repellent
If mischievous deer are munching through your prize flowers or damaging your fences, the Univerayo Electronic Deer Repellent acts as powerful deterrents against deer and nocturnal animals.
Featuring an upgraded design, the Univerayo animal repellers have 2 red flashing LED lights instead of 1 which simulates fire or a predator’s eye. These repellers are a humane way of scaring away deer, nocturnal predators, or a range of animals such as coyotes, rabbits, bears, owls, raccoons, foxes, weasels, and hawks.
There is no need for electricity as electronic devices harness the power of the sun. When the solar panel has absorbed the sunlight and been charged in full sunlight for 5 hours, the automatic sensor in the LED light emits a powerful flashing red light that flashes up to 180 times per minute in darkness and can last up to 12 hours at night.
Univerayo devices are very easy to use. Just press the on/off button to start or stop the light. Once the units are fully charged, they will automatically start working when the sun goes down.
Suitable for all weather conditions, the repellers have a durable waterproof IP77 design which means you can use them in all weather conditions, even ice.
Highly versatile, this 4-pack will protect your yard, garden, orchard, livestock, chickens, property, and trash bins.
Easy to mount, the repellers have an adjustable mounting height of up to 8-feet and can be screwed or nailed onto a tree branch, tree trunk, stake, post, wall, or even a chicken coop.
Featuring an extra-wide detection zone, the light covers an area of ½ mile long and 800-feet wide and has a coverage angle of 60°. You can also adjust the angle of the light according to the terrain.
To have maximum protection, Univerayo recommends that you use all of the devices to cover a wider 360° area. Place them where you have seen deer and make sure they are mounted at the animals’ eye level. Univerayo offers its animal repellers in a 2-pack or a 4-pack.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Upgraded design
- Uses 2 red LED flashing lights instead of 1
- Simulates fire or a predator’s eye
- Effectively scares away nocturnal predators or animals who feed at night
- Can be used for a wide range of animals
- Completely IP77 weatherproof case can be used in icy conditions
- Solar panel only requires 5 hours of charging and lasts up to 12 hours at night
- Highly versatile
- Can be used for a yard, gardens, orchards, poultry, livestock, property, and trash bins
- Easy to mount up to 8-feet
- Can be screwed or nailed onto a tree branch, trunk, stake, post, wall, or chicken coop
- Powerful LED light flashes 180 times per minute in darkness
- Excellent range up to an area of ½ mile long and 800-feet wide
- Coverage angle of 60°
- Angle can be adjusted to suit the terrain
- On/off button
- No maintenance required
- Available in a 2 pack and a 4-pack
Cons
- Needs to be placed in direct sun to be effective at night
- Repeller needs to be placed up high to detect deer
6. Hoont Motion Activated Water Jet Blaster
With just a harmless jet of water, the Hoont Motion Activated Water Jet Blaster is an excellent choice for deterring deer away from your garden or property 24/7 day or night.
A chemical-free, humane, and safe way to scare away deer or any other unwanted animals from your domain, the Hoont jet blaster does not kill or harm the animals; it just sprays them with an annoying squirt of water.
Designed to deter a wide range of animals, the Hoont repeller can be used to scare away deer, squirrels, rabbits, dogs, cats, skunks, and birds.
Animals will be frightened by this powerful water jet and quickly learn to avoid your prized flowers or property in the future. However, it is not just a jet of cold water that frightens animals, the clicking noise of the sprinkler distribution valve also effectively helps to drive them away.
The motion-activated Hoont jet blaster has a power PIR sensor that monitors an area up to 1000-square-feet and activates when a pest comes within 30-feet. It has a spray arc range of approximately 120°, and the jet sprayer squirts water intermittently in 5-second cycles.
One of the great features of this super-fast garden guardian is that the water spray angle can be adjusted up to 360°. You do not have to worry about wasting water as the jet blaster has a water-saving design and only reactivates when movement is detected.
Very easy to set up, the jet blaster requires no tools. Just connect your garden hose to the repeller with the included hose connection. Stick the included ground spike into the ground and adjust your water spray angle to suit your property.
For maximum effectiveness in a large yard, place a few jet blasters in strategic positions where animals are known to prowl.
The device requires 2 AA batteries which are also included.
Hoont offers a 1-year warranty on the jet blaster animal deterrent.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Excellent value for money
- Chemical-free, humane, and safe way to deter animals
- Very good motion detection ranges up to 30-feet
- Wide detection angle of 120°
- Water spraying angle is adjustable up to 360°
- Monitors an area up to 1000-square-feet
- Can be used during the day and night
- Extremely fast and powerful jet of water
- Clicking noise of the sprinkler distribution valve effectively drives animals away
- Highly efficient water-saving design
- Only reactivates when movement is detected
- Very easy to setup
- Included ground spike and hose connection
- Comes in a 1 or 2-pack
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Bit pricey
- Can be triggered by bushes blowing in the wind
- Water pressure may depend on your water system
- AA batteries need to be changed regularly
- Not ideal for use in freezing temperatures
- May need more than one jet blaster for a very large yard
7. GARDEN SECRETS Professional Ultrasonic Animal Repeller 3-pack
The GARDEN SECRETS Professional Ultrasonic Animal Repeller 3-pack will protect a large property or garden from mischievous deer and all nocturnal animals.
Utilizing a powerful mix of ultrasonic sound and an LED flashing light, the animal repeller drives away deer, dogs, cats, raccoons, possums, birds, skunks, and rodents from your home and garden.
Designed to cover a wide 550-square-feet, the smart infrared sensor has a 110° detection range and adjustable sensitivity. It also features a frequency control button.
Easy to install, just put the stake into the ground around your yard, garden, fruit trees, farm, flower beds, or alongside a driveway or pathway. The animal repellent comes with screws and a screwdriver so you can mount it near a patio, on a wall, or a fence.
Perfect for outdoor use, the GARDEN SECRETS Deer repeller has been built with a durable IP44 waterproof construction that can withstand light rain.
Wherever you need to use the ultrasonic device to keep deer away, the nice green color camouflages the device in any terrain.
This deer deterrent device can be solar charged when you use the 3 AA batteries that are already installed. You can use the power adapter if you want to place the devices in a location that does not get sunlight.
GARDEN SECRETS offers a 1-year warranty on ultrasonic animal repeller 3-pack.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Perfect for a wide range of animals
- Infrared sensor has adjustable sensitivity
- Wide coverage area up to 550-square-feet
- Frequency control button
- Ideal for garden, lawn, yard, pathway, patio, driveways
- Effective advanced ultrasonic sound and powerful LED flashing light
- Chemical-free solution for pest and animal control
- Safe for the environment, humans, and pets
- Nice green camouflaged color
- Durable IP44 waterproof construction
- Easy to use and install
- Can be used with electricity or as a solar device
- Comes with 3 AA batteries and a screwdriver
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Tip of the plastic stake is not very sturdy
- Needs to be placed in high traffic areas
Our Top Pick for the Best Deer Repellent
Our top pick for the best deer repellent is the Bobbex Concentrate Deer Repellent.
The Bobbex repellent solution contains a specially formulated combination of natural ingredients that are guaranteed to scare away all types of deer out of your garden.
Although the all-natural solution can be a little tough on your sense of smell, its strong odor does fade, but its potent effect on the deer will continue to work for up to 2 months in most weather conditions.
Check the price on Amazon
