Oh no, not my Panache…!

Just out messing with my figs and noticed, to my horror, someone has been molesting my baby figs.   I was so happy to see the development of new figs, that I actually took a few photos last week.   What timing that was because, I now have before and after evidence.  

I knew the deer were feasting on nearby apricots but, my figs too..?   Looks like I need to break out that nasty tabasco spray repellent, if these midnight raids continue.  Or, like I have done in years past for the veggie garden, get a sacrificial bale of good alfalfa and salt lick to divert their interest.

Anyone got a better deer repellant idea?  No, I can’t shoot them…..!

BEFORE.....
   
AFTER......

 
 
   

Dog or a bow and arrow or a tall fence

Deer are evil critters. I lost a friend to one when a car struck a deer and knocked it into and thru my friend's windshield. Since then, I decided that shooting them is a very good idea, but I am completely biased. 

A dog with 24 hour access to where your fig trees are is your best deterrence if you can't shoot them.

I use blood meal tied in a ladies hosiery in ball form.
Dip the balls in ammonia and hang from your tree.

This is a old home remedy I found years ago.
Left over bars of soap like irish spring hung in hosiery also helps.

Last hope is the motion activated sprinkler.

Hope it helps ya


Doug

Good looking figs btw

Here's one checking for new growth on some of my blueberries.


s 

"Bang!" - time for steaks and sausage

Looks like I need to plant some figs around my deer stand. 

You can get a motion activated water sprinkler called a scarecrow....scares the crap out of the deer.  I was using a couple before I completely fenced the property.  

i fenced out deer, but bunnies get in. they like nice growing tips. a couple of my figs got pruned
before i cut the bottoms out of 5 gal buckets n installed them.

damage identical to yours, jack, but closer to the ground..

I second Rich's reply! I have bunny problems. Had to put all new plants on a scaffold with boards for the pots to sit on out of the bunnies reach. I'm not familiar with any type of deer deterrent though.

Really? I never knew there are deer where you are. How about motion activated light. They didn't take the big one. Put aluminum foil collar.

You're lucky. My in ground panache has no figs yet, though my smaller potted one has lots.

Haven't had any varmit problems in the yard at my place in Tucson.
At my place in Alaska, I have big, bad varmits that have destroyed
every attempt at gardening. And if you catch them at it and confront 
them, they are likely to stomp you into a mudhole for their trouble.
Mama in the picture probably weighs in about 700~800 pounds, with
a pound or two extra for my strawberry patch they just consumed. 


 

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions.  Made it through last night with some off the shelf commercial deer repellant spray!  Not sure of the formulary but, from the smell, I will surely be washing any ripe fruit.  If I get that lucky!

Wills & Jenn.....  I like your idea of the water actuated scarecrow.   My brother has one of those up in Washington and swears by it's effectiveness. 

Rich.... Got the dog but, she's old and couldn't leave out all night.  Coyotes would get her for sure.  Existing horse trail easement and need for ag equipment access make any kind of fencing a nonstarter.

Joe... I too lost a friend to a deer about nine years ago.  The damn thing attacked him, a very sad story!  Yepp..... Bambi a killer!

I'll give you a report on the scarecrow, if I get one.   In the meantime, repellant spray and maybe some alfalfa!    Thanks again, enjoy this beautiful Memorial Day Weekend..

hey, jack, did you know there's been actual research done in europe on  tobasco sauce as deterent?

they report complete protection for lettuce fields from bunnys spraying  this on.

i suggest you try this against deer. it has to be reapplied after every rain, but individual rabbits will not
return, remembering the burning mouths. here's one artical, but there's lots.
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Rabbit-Repellant_vq1964.htm

one ounce/gallon. not gonna find anything cheaper.

news flash. a friend just told me this does wotk on deer.

Bada-bing: that's pretty funny. Humans can't always win. Go moose.