You’ve got a problem with deer. It’s not ideal, but it’s not impossible to manage either. Some people say that the readily available Dawn dish soap works to deter deer.
But does Dawn dish soap actually work to get rid of deer from your property?
Don’t use Dawn dish soap deer repellent, because there are many other options that work better in the long run. Dawn dish soap is not fully biodegradable, and it can remove the waxy coat on some plants. You want to think about fencing, or planting deer repelling plants instead.
Even though you shouldn’t use Dawn dish soap to keep deer off your property, there are still some things you can give a shot.
What to expect: In order to help you take control of the situation, let’s discuss why deer enter your yard, and what you can do to stop them.
Introduction to Deers
If you want to learn about how to get rid of deers, you need to know about deers and what they find attractive about your backyard.
The first thing you need to know is that in the United States and Canada alone, there are several types of deers–and there are even other species around the world–meaning you may find different species, depending on where you live.
Deers are approximately semi-large mammals with long lengthily legs, mostly brown but sometimes have white spots/markings.
They have two black hooves on their each foot, and they also carry antlers.
But, in most species (with one exception), only males grow antlers, and each year, deers start over with their antler growth as they lose and regrow them after a certain period of time.
Some examples of food deers enjoy would include grass, berries, tree shoots, bark… though they more often than not, only leave the bark if they have no other food choice.
Why Do Deers Come Into Your Property?
Since deer are herbivores and eat plants, it is possible that deer will come into your yard for your tasty plants.
However, there are also many variables that deer exhibit, just like people.
For example, here are things that attract more deer into your property:
- Fruit trees
- Wild strawberries
- Mushrooms
Another variable that’s representative of visiting a backyard is the water source.
For example, you could have a pond, pool, fountain etc.” and create opportunities for more than just deer to come and visit during the hot months. You never know, would foot a relaxing swim, and learn, if you’d not had all that hot day!
You may even attract deer with small birdbaths!
While some people aren’t overly concerned with the deer reliably coming to their property, it probably will cost you $$$$ in the long run.
The deer have the potential to damage properties, fences, garden furniture, running surface and damage the grass when they slowly methodically consume and walk/run around your propety!
Using Dawn Dish Soap as a Deer Repellent
Some folks consider Dawn dish soap to be a typical deer deterrent and it is very effective.
While this may be true as deers absolutely dislike any soap scent, there are better options for deer deterrents instead of covering your garden in that jelly-like liquid.
Before we get into the negatives of using dish soap, it is first important to look at Dawn dish soap and discuss some of the reasoning why some may endorse this option as a deer deterrent:
- Dawn dish soap is a popular cleaning agent which makes it easy to find frequently and cost effective compared to other options.
- Dawn dish soap is also approximately 90% biodegradable which means most of it will decompose by natural means.
- In addition, compared to other brands of dish soap, we know Dawn has less “harsh chemicals” in their formula.
- You can also combine Dawn dish soap with some other items and deterrents such as cayenne pepper, etc. This is considered to be a fantastic deterring effect for deer in backyards.
Disadvantages of Using Dawn Dish Soap
Dawn dish soap has some benefits as deer deterrent, but it has many more drawbacks.
It can damage some of your plant life directly, even if it is mostly biodegradable.
Also- we use dish soap as a cleaning agent, so it could strip away the layer of natural wax that acts as a protective barrier for plants.
And since you will have to reapply, ultimately it can be a more costly option in the long run.
Plus, while dish soap does not have an unpleasant smell, the fragrance from flowers is a little nicer.
Maybe it also saves you from weird conversations about why your yard smells like dish soap.
Preventing Deers From Being in Your Backyard
There’s a lot of ways to keep deer away. Some are more natural or environmentally friendly than others.
To me personally, I think the easiest option is just to put up a relatively high and sturdy fence—preferably a deer fence.
Install Deer Fences
A deer fence is just one easy solution.
Fences are instinctively a barrier for wildlife when built correctly, and deers especially are not going to get through tiny spaces.
When putting a fence up, make sure it’s strong enough and you’re putting it in secure so it doesn’t break down.
Plants
Certain plants, that deer do not like will help deter deer from areas with plants that deer would like.
If you can incorporate some of these kinds of plants in your garden spaces, then these act as a natural repellent.
Examples of those plants include:
- Lungwort
- Daffodils
- Peonies
- Coneflowers
- Winter aconite
If you want to use other plantings but are not sure which will deter deer, as a general rule, deer tend to dislike strongly aromatic plants.
Install Moving Parts
Another way to deter deer from your yard, is to set up certain gadgets that may confuse and potentially scare deer away.
For example – any reflective surfaces may cause deer to take off since that would not be something they come across in the wild.
Windchimes are also good alternatives since they also make a strange noise deer seem to not like.
Some garden ornaments with moving pieces, like wind spinners that spin on a windy day, also work well.
If by chance, deer come into your yard, hit a moving contraption can make them avoid going back down that road again in the future.
Tips to Minimize Damages From Visiting Deer
If you’re having trouble finding a solution that fits your needs, there are steps that you can take to reduce the damage a visiting deer can do.
If you grow your own produce within the comforts of your garden, always keep track of how you can tell when it is ready for harvest.
Make sure you’re harvesting your vegetables or fruits when they’re ripe enough for harvest so that they don’t attract any deer.
This will also make sure that you’re not attracting other unwanted wildlife into your garden.
Another way to reduce damage is to remember to keep applying your deer deterrent.
Whether you buy a commercial product or make a mixture from natural products, you have to be diligent in applying it after it rains.
Purchasing different kinds of deterrents can also help protect against developing immunity to the mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Smell Do Deer Hate the Most?
Deers hate things with pungent scent, they also avoid, other plants, like lavender, honeysuckle, and wisteria. Also, when it come to vegetables with pungent smells there’s garlic, leeks, onions, chives.
Do Dryer Sheets Repel Deer?
Official studies haven’t been conducted to confirm that dryer sheets repel deer. But there is some anecdotal evidence that this method works. Dryer sheets have the potential properties to repel deer as well as having the strong scents they emit.
What Brand of Soap Keeps Deer Away?
Some soaps and kinds work better than others in repelling deer.
You can buy lavender or ivory scented soap shavings and spread them around your garden to deter deer.
For a particular brand, some say Irish Spring soap is worthy.
Conclusion
In all, don’t bother using Dawn dish soap deer repellent.
There are plenty other effective and environmentally safer methods to both keeping deer out of your edible landscape.
Planting deer-resistance plants could be effective, and maintain a visually pleasing landscape.
If you’re overly angry about the deer frolicking around your property, I would suggest using the strategies above to removal them.