Bergen County NJ Deer Population – How Residents Can Protect Their Landscaping

If you live in Bergen County, chances are you’ve noticed quite a few deer roaming in your local park, along the side of the road or even in your backyard. That’s no coincidence; in recent years the Bergen County NJ deer population has experienced a notable spike, making deer remarkably abundant and destructive to Bergen County landscaping.

What is being done about Bergen County NJ Deer

In response, local governments continue to debate the best methods for managing the rising deer population. However, whatever solution they move forward with, it’s unlikely that there will be immediate results. As a result, homeowners will still have to take some action to protect their lawns and gardens from these hungry herbivores, or risk losing some of your favorite plants and flowers.

The good news is that keeping deer off your lawn can be easier than you think! With a few strategic alterations to your yard, you can continue to enjoy your landscaping without fear of it falling victim to a herd of hungry deer. We have written in the past on garden deer control in Bergen County.

What can you do about Bergen County NJ Deer

First and foremost, reducing the visibility of some of your more enticing plants will help protect them. Hiding your garden with a decorative fence or hedges can help deter deer from wandering into your yard. It might sound silly, but if a deer cannot see your delicious looking plants, they’ll be less inclined to venture into a yard where they’re not sure what’s on the other side. Garden fences and hedges have the duel benefit of barricading deer and other critters out of your lawn, while adding a pleasing aesthetic to your home.

Putting a little extra thought into the plants that will make up your garden will also help protect your garden. Deer prefer to munch on delicate, aromatic plants such as flowers and leafy bushes. They are often attracted by the fragrant scents given off by these plants and simply can’t resist the urge to eat them! On the other hand, deer shy away from plants with thorns or plants that have strong odors, like herbs, peonies and lavender. Deer will also avoid poisonous plants, such as poppies, foxgloves and daffodils.

When planning your garden, a good rule of thumb is to keep the plants that deer prefer close to your home, while planting prickly and strong scented plants around the perimeter. This will protect your garden for two reasons. First, the strong scented plants will help mask the aroma given off by the plants that deer prefer to eat. Secondly, deer are cautious creatures that prefer enjoying a meal where they can quickly run for cover if needed. They are much less inclined to venture up to a home that is unfamiliar and out in the open.

Another way to deter deer is to add obstacles to your yard. Adding layered terraces, decorative rocks, or sunken beds are various hindrances that deer would rather not navigate through. Even a pile of firewood, a compost heap, or you child’s playground set can be enough of an obstruction to encourage deer to graze elsewhere. Additionally, if you have a raised deck, it’s not a bad idea to keep your potted plants there. Deer will avoid climbing stairs, even for their favorite floral treats, so placing those plants up higher will likely keep them safe.

How we help with your Bergen County NJ deer problem

If your yard doesn’t have the capacity to incorporate landscaping hurdles to ward off deer, you can still install various deterrents that can scare deer away. Motion activated lights or sprinklers that go off when deer enter your property can startle deer and encourage them to look for food elsewhere. Wind chimes are another good option because they make unexpected and unfamiliar noises that will keep deer from wondering too far into your yard.

Finally, if all else fails, an effective deer repellent will do the trick. Deer repellents emit smells that signal to the deer that there is nothing good to eat there. They help mask the scent of more appetizing plants, and urge the deer to move on. Many deer repellents also have a bad taste, so if a deer does get curious enough to try the repellent out, they’ll quickly discover that it was not worth the risk. Spraying deer repellent around the edges of your property can prevent deer from even entering your garden in the first place.

The deer in Bergen County play a great role in making the area unique and beautiful. But, they can be destructive to your home and all of the hard work you put into it. However, with the right tools and techniques, you and your garden can happily coexist with these gentle creatures. If you would like help controlling destructive deer in your Bergen County, NJ yard, contact us!

The post Bergen County NJ Deer Population – How Residents Can Protect Their Landscaping appeared first on Borst Landscape & Design.

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230377 https://ift.tt/2A5vI86
via IFTTT