Do deer eat almonds

Do deer eat almonds? If you find that graceful and majestic animal around your property, chances are she is looking for something to eat. In this article, we will talk about deer and their almond eating habit.

Almond trees are deciduous plants cultivated for their edible fruits. Although native to Iran, it is present in many parts of the US, especially California. What’s more, almonds may be sweet or bitter de-pending on the species. If you are growing almonds or may have found some damage to your almond trees, you may ask—do deer eat almonds?

Almonds and deer damage

The short answer is yes. Almonds are a favorite pastime snack for deer. They can stretch on their hind legs and eat directly from the tree or the ground. In early spring and late winter, deer can rip, twist, and squeeze the tips of shoots, causing harm to the almond tree, thereby reducing the yield.

However, deer can also cause harm to your almond trees in another way. They love resting within the shades of trees. Hence, they can rub against the branches and trunk of almond trees. If a complete ring of bark comes off from such activity, the tree is girdled and may die. Therefore, you must implement measures to keep deer from your almond trees.

How to protect your almonds

Avoid over fertilization

Deer are attracted to fertilization because of the high nitrogen nutrient. Al-ready, over-fertilization is not recommended for almonds as it causes excessive growth of vegetation at the expense of the production of fruits. When you also consider that they act as attractants, there is no doubt you should be careful about the volume you use.

Prevent rubbing

To stop deer from resting under your almond trees and keep the entire area free of weeds and grasses. Also, avoid using too much mulch around the tree trunk.

Individual production

Consider using individual deer netting, mesh or trunk guards to create a cylinder around young almond trees.

Repellents

You can also use repellents to keep deer away. Although there are commercial deer repellents, you can also make yours at home. Some homemade repellents include: bar soap, pepper spray, cayenne pepper mixture, garlic, and so on.

Fencing

Fencing is the most tangible way to keep deer out of your property. However, it would help if you didn’t use a short fence (5 – 6 feet) as deer can jump over them easily. An 8-foot fence is ideal for any property. Although it distorts the natural-looking landscape, it can prevent the headaches associated with deer. You can also consider an electric fence; it is cheaper than the conventional wall but requires twice as much maintenance. If you wish to use an electric fence, ensure they are firmly rooted to the ground to prevent deer from going into your property from underneath the fence.

Concluding thoughts

Do deer eat almonds? Yes, they do and can become an enormous nuisance. Prevent or limit deer dam-age by using the methods we have discussed above. Combine these methods and you can prudently take care of your deer situation.

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