Do Deer Eat Watermelon?

Sometimes, we may have questions like – do deer eat watermelon? In this article, we will share insights about deer, whether they have watermelon eating habits.

Deer eat an awful lot. Even plants known as less palatable to them can become delicacies overnight when they cannot find the ones they truly like. However, watermelons fall in an entirely different category.

Therefore, when you think about the question – do deer eat watermelon? The answer is Yes. They eat watermelons and many other fruits. Deer particularly eat watermelons when they are ripe, which can ruin the harvest. They make holes in the watermelon rind and chew the tasty flesh on the inside. Usually, they don’t consume the entire watermelon, but it becomes a waste just the same.

When you have watermelons in your garden, you should consider using the deterrent methods below to keep them out.
Install a Fence

Deer can jump over a fence. Therefore the key to making sure they don’t is by preventing them from seeing where they land. Deer will never jump over any wall if they cannot see a good landing spot. A good idea is by using two parallel fences of 4 to 5 feet, spaced 3 feet apart. You can also use chicken wire, netting, or mesh around individual plants. Bear in mind that your plants may likely grow above the netting, so you may have to adjust them in the future.

Repellents

A lot of people complain that repellents don’t work on deer, but they do. It’s not really about the repellent but how you use them. We recommend alternating between repellents because deer can adapt easily. Swapping from time to time, makes them unnerved and less likely to eat from your watermelon garden. You can purchase or make your repellents at home. For instance, concentrated urine of their predators such as coyotes or even fox can be effective. You can also make a pepper and garlic mix or use human scents.

Avoid frequent fertilizers

Nitrogen-based fertilizers attract deer, so you should only use them when necessary. Furthermore, whenever you apply, make sure to protect the plants using nets or mesh to prevent deer from foraging.

Sidetracking

If you are willing to sacrifice part of your property, you can grow a section of palatable plants so they can leave your main plants alone. You can also use distasteful plants around the perimeter of your property to deter them, but bear in mind that they may likely eat from then in the future. Hence, its better to always “sacrifice” whatever you plant in that section, or use other deterrents alongside. Some deer repellent plants you can plant include yarrow, boxwood, barberry, hollies, azalea, spirea, Shasta, and iris.

Use motion deterrents

You can also use motion-activated deterrents to scare them off. Some of these technological devices release noise, others have lights that blink on and off, and many others sprinkle water when deer move into your property.

You should equally consider young shoots as a priority when making your property deer-proof. Deer eat young shoots of just about any plant, including the non-desirable. In general, the answer to the question – do deer eat watermelon – is an affirmative. They can cause serious damage to your watermelon garden if left unchecked. Combine the measures in this article and deer-proof your garden to reduce the likelihood of that unfortunate incident.