Commercial Deer Repellent Spray for Crops

Commercial deer repellent spray for crops generally comes in two different categories. The first category includes those repellents that deter deer because of taste, and the second category keep the deer away due to the odor. Both can be effective, and both should be considered with their unique benefits and how they pertain to the situation.

Some factors to consider when looking for a commercial deer repellent spray for crops is, obviously, what type of crop? Edible crops, such as fruit trees, lettuces, and other vegetables may require more careful thought than crops that will not be consumed by humans, such as Christmas tree farms and cotton. Other factors to consider include how often a spray should be reapplied, and how expensive the spray is.
 
Repellents that emit a sulfurous odor have been shown to work the best for repelling deer, particularly the ones containing putrefied egg solids. Other such sprays that fall into this category contain ingredients such a wolf or coyote (predator) urine, meet proteins, and even garlic. While several theories exist as to why these odors deter deer, the most sensible one is that deer are vegetarian, and will instinctively avoid eating anything that smells “meaty.” Some scientists purport that the odor fools deer into thinking there is a predator nearby, where others just point out that deer just do not like how it tastes.

The best choice for a commercial deer repellent spray for crop food that will be consumed by humans are the ones containing an egg based (solid, not raw) ingredient, garlic, or both. These ingredients are quite safe for edible plants, nor do they impact the quality of the plant product. These are sprays that deter deer by odor.

The sprays that deter deer by taste usually have a bittering agent added to them. These are not a good option for food crops, because they will also make the plants taste bad to the end consumer. However, these may be an excellent choice for non edible crops. Another problem that taste repellents may present to edible crops is that the repellent can be absorbed by the roots and spread throughout the plant, making it taste bitter for two to three years with one application. This is good news, however, for farmers who raise ornamental trees and shrubs for landscaping, Christmas trees, and other farm plants that will not be eaten.

Whatever the choice of commercial deer repellent for crop farming is settled on at first, using a variety may be the best choice in the end. This is because sometimes deer become accustomed to a certain odor, and may become less afraid of sampling the product after time. Combining a spray repellent with scare tactics, barriers, and even hunting, will protect crops from the damaging effect of deer. There are many kinds of commercial deer repellent spray for crop farming available through outlets, hardware, farm supply stores, and online. Consumer reviews, agricultural stations, and field experience will determine the best one for any particular situation.