Springtime: Why Deer Activity Spikes and How We Handle It
Spring is a beautiful season, flowers bloom, trees begin to grow, and the weather starts to warm up. However, with the arrival of spring comes an increase in deer activity. For homeowners in New York and New Jersey, the spring months signal a time when deer become particularly active in foraging, causing potential damage to your landscape, gardens, and young plants. Understanding why deer activity spikes in the spring and how to effectively manage it is essential to protect your property.
In this blog, we’ll explain why deer activity spikes in the spring, the types of damage they can cause, and how Deer Guys handles this challenge with our professional deer control services.
1. Why Deer Activity Spikes in the Spring
As the weather warms and the landscape changes, deer become more active. Spring is a time of transition for deer, as they leave behind the harsher winter conditions and begin to forage for food. The increased availability of fresh plants and tender foliage makes your property an attractive spot for deer to feed.
Reasons for Increased Deer Activity in Spring:
- Foraging for fresh growth: Deer are naturally drawn to new plant growth in the spring, especially young leaves, tender shoots, and soft bark from trees.
- Mating season: The spring months coincide with the mating season for deer, making them more active and likely to roam widely in search of food and mates.
- Hunger after winter: After surviving the harsh winter, deer are more likely to seek out easy food sources, which often includes your garden and landscaping.
- Fawn birth: Spring marks the birth of fawns, which leads to an increase in female deer (does) grazing and searching for food to support their young
The combination of these factors results in deer being more active, aggressive, and hungry, leading them to frequently visit your property during this time.
2. What Deer Damage Can Occur in the Spring?
Springtime is a critical period for protecting your landscape, as the damage caused by deer can be significant. Deer damage can range from nibbling on flowers to trampling flower beds and young trees. Since deer are particularly attracted to tender, soft plants during the spring, this is when they cause the most harm.
Types of Damage Caused by Deer:
- Grazing on tender shoots and leaves: Deer are known to graze on young plants, flowers, and vegetable gardens, leaving behind eaten stems and damaged foliage.
- Bark stripping on young trees: In the spring, deer often strip the bark from young trees, especially those with tender bark. This can severely damage or kill the tree if left unchecked.
- Trampling flower beds and gardens: Deer will often trample over flower beds, vegetable patches, and garden areas in their search for food, causing destruction and flattening plants.
- Damage to shrubs and bushes: Deer love to browse on shrubs and bushes, particularly new growth that is tender and easy to eat.
Without proper deer control, your spring landscape can be severely damaged, leaving you with depleted gardens, stunted growth, and unsightly plants.
3. How We Handle Increased Deer Activity in Spring
At Deer Guys, we understand the unique challenges that come with spring deer activity. Our Deer Repellent Spraying Service is designed to offer effective protection for your garden, plants, trees, and shrubs during this peak season. Here’s how we handle spring deer activity and keep your property safe:
1. Early Application of Deer Repellent Sprays
We start by applying deer repellent sprays early in the spring season, before deer begin to heavily forage. Deer repellent sprays create a barrier around your plants and trees, making them unappealing to deer.
- Long-lasting protection: Our weather-resistant formula stays effective for up to 3–4 weeks, even during spring rains.
- Safe for plants and pets: Our eco-friendly, non-toxic ingredients ensure that the repellent won’t harm your plants, pets, or family.
2. Customized Deer Control Plans
We tailor our deer control strategies to your specific property, ensuring that high-risk areas, like young trees or vegetable gardens, receive the most protection.
- Targeted applications: We focus our efforts on the areas most at risk, such as flower beds, fruit trees, and shrubs, where deer are likely to feed.
- Ongoing service: Our services include regular follow-up visits every 3-4 weeks to ensure continuous protection throughout the season.
3. Physical Barriers and Netting
In addition to deer repellent sprays, we recommend installing physical barriers such as fencing and tree guards around particularly vulnerable areas like young trees or vegetable gardens.
- Tree guards prevent deer from stripping bark from young trees, allowing them to grow safely.
- Fencing and netting around gardens or fruit trees act as an effective barrier to keep deer away from your edible crops and ornamental plants.
4. Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers or lights are another great way to deter deer from entering your property. When deer approach, these devices emit a burst of water or light, startling them and causing them to leave the area.
- Humane and non-invasive: These deterrents keep your landscape free from deer without causing harm.
- Effective: Deer will quickly learn to avoid areas where they are regularly startled, reducing the chances of damage.
4. Additional Tips for Preventing Deer Damage in Spring
In addition to deer repellent spraying, here are a few more springtime tips to help prevent deer damage:
- Plant deer-resistant plants: Add deer-resistant plants to your landscape, such as lavender, rosemary, and marigolds, to make your property less inviting to deer.
- Remove fallen fruit: If you have fruit trees, make sure to pick up any fallen fruit that may attract deer to your yard.
- Use odor deterrents: Strong smells, like garlic or cayenne pepper, can help keep deer away from your garden and landscaping.
These proactive steps, combined with Deer Guys’ professional deer control services, will ensure that your property stays deer-free throughout the spring season.
Why Choose Deer Guys for Spring Deer Control?
At Deer Guys, we specialize in protecting your property from springtime deer damage. Here’s why we’re the best choice for deer control:
- Custom solutions: We offer tailored deer control plans based on your specific needs, ensuring maximum protection.
- Eco-friendly products: Our natural, non-toxic repellents are safe for your landscape, pets, and family.
- Ongoing service: We provide regular maintenance to ensure your property remains deer-free throughout the spring.
- Expert knowledge: Our team is experienced in deer management, providing the best solutions for your landscape.
Related Services
- Deer Repellent Spraying Service – Learn how we can protect your property from deer damage this spring.
- Our Products – Explore the safe, natural ingredients in our deer repellent.
- Weather-Resistant Formula – See how our formula withstands harsh weather conditions.
- Contact Us – Reach out today to schedule your first deer repellent application.
Final Thoughts: Prepare for Spring Deer Activity
Spring is a time of growth and renewal, but it’s also when deer activity peaks. By preparing your property with deer repellent sprays, physical barriers, and motion-activated deterrents, you can ensure that your landscape remains beautiful and safe from deer damage.
Contact us today to schedule your first spring deer repellent application and keep your property deer-free this season!
