How Summer Heat Affects Deer Feeding Patterns (And Your Garden)
Summer brings warmer temperatures, longer days, and beautiful growth to your garden, but it also brings some challenges, particularly in terms of deer feeding patterns. As the summer heat increases, deer adjust their behavior, which can have a significant impact on your garden and landscaping. Deer become more active in search of food, and unfortunately, your plants might become a prime target.
In this blog, we’ll explore how summer heat affects deer feeding patterns, and what you can do to protect your garden from the resulting damage. Whether you live in New York, New Jersey, or another area with a high deer population, understanding deer behavior during the hot months will help you take steps to keep your landscape safe.
1. Deer Activity Increases During the Summer Heat
As the temperatures rise, deer are naturally drawn to cool, shaded areas during the day. However, in the early mornings and evenings, when temperatures are more moderate, deer tend to forage more frequently. The combination of increased heat and limited water sources leads deer to become more reliant on your garden for nourishment.
Why Deer Are More Active in the Summer:
- Searching for food: Deer require a lot of calories during the summer to maintain energy. This makes your garden an attractive food source, especially if it has lush, tender plants.
- Limited natural food: During summer, the vegetation in forested areas may become drier and less nutritious. Deer will often seek out gardens, shrubs, and trees that provide fresh and tender vegetation.
- Increased hydration needs: With the heat, deer may also visit your garden to obtain moisture from your plants and soil, especially if water sources like ponds or streams are drying up.
As a result, your garden may face increased grazing and damaging behavior, especially in the evenings and mornings when deer are more active.
2. How Summer Heat Affects Deer Feeding Preferences
During the summer months, deer have specific feeding preferences that are influenced by the heat. They seek out succulent plants and moisture-rich vegetation, which can cause significant damage to your garden.
What Deer Prefer to Eat in Summer:
- Tender foliage and new growth: Deer are drawn to fresh, soft leaves and young shoots. These are often found on vegetable plants, flower beds, and young trees.
- Fruit-bearing plants: If you have fruit trees or berry bushes, deer may be attracted to the ripening fruit. They’ll often nibble on peaches, apples, grapes, and strawberries during the summer months.
- Water-dense plants: Deer will seek out moisture-rich plants, especially during dry spells. This includes succulent plants, herbs, and plants with high water content.
As summer heat increases, these feeding preferences can lead to your plants being over-grazed, damaged, or even destroyed by hungry deer. This is especially true for young plants, which are more vulnerable during their growth stages
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3. Deer Will Seek Shelter in Shaded Areas
In addition to foraging for food, deer also seek cool shaded areas during the hottest parts of the day. Your garden, if shaded by trees or tall shrubs, may become a resting area for deer looking to escape the midday heat. This can lead to deer trampling, damage to plants, or even the destruction of flower beds and gardens as they pass through.
Why Shaded Areas Attract Deer:
- Cool environment: Deer, like many animals, need to regulate their body temperature, and the shade provides a break from the intense heat.
- Safety from predators: Shaded areas offer some protection and cover for deer from predators, making it an attractive spot to rest during the day.
- Accessibility to food: Areas with shade often also have lush vegetation, which makes them an ideal spot for both foraging and resting.
To protect your shaded garden areas, consider adding physical barriers or deer repellent sprays to prevent deer from frequenting these spots.
4. How to Protect Your Garden from Deer in the Summer Heat
To keep your garden safe during the summer months, it’s essential to combine several deer control measures that address both the increased feeding patterns and the need for cooling shelters. Here are some tips to help protect your property:
1. Apply Deer Repellent Sprays
One of the most effective ways to deter deer from grazing on your plants is by using deer repellent sprays. Our weather-resistant formula offers long-lasting protection even during the summer heat, ensuring that your plants remain safe from deer.
- Safe and non-toxic: Our eco-friendly, non-toxic ingredients make it safe for pets, children, and plants.
- Effective for tender plants: Apply repellent sprays to young trees, shrubs, and vegetables to deter deer from grazing on fresh, succulent leaves.
2. Create Physical Barriers
Physical barriers, like deer fences or netting, are also essential for protecting your garden from deer activity in the summer. Fencing around vegetable gardens, flower beds, and fruit trees will physically block deer from accessing vulnerable plants.
- Tree guards: Protect young trees from bark stripping by wrapping trunks with tree guards to keep deer from gnawing on the bark.
- Fencing and netting: Use netting around garden beds or fruit trees to prevent deer from accessing plants.
3. Use Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers and lights are great tools for scaring deer away from your garden during peak feeding times. These deterrents emit water or light when they detect movement, startling the deer and causing them to leave the area.
4. Choose Deer-Resistant Plants
Adding deer-resistant plants to your garden can reduce the likelihood of deer browsing. Some great options include:
- Lavender
- Marigolds
- Thorny shrubs
- Herbs like sage and thyme
These plants have strong smells, bitter tastes, or tough textures that make them unappealing to deer.
5. Regular Monitoring and Maintenance
Since deer behavior can change based on the weather, it’s important to regularly monitor your property for signs of deer activity. Keep an eye out for deer tracks, droppings, or nibbled plants to gauge when deer are most active in your area. Based on this information, you can adjust your deer control plan accordingly.
Why Choose Deer Guys for Summer Deer Control?
At Deer Guys, we specialize in protecting your garden and landscape from deer damage, particularly during the challenging summer months. Here’s why we’re the best choice for deer control:
- Customized solutions: We create tailored deer control plans based on the unique needs of your property.
- Natural, eco-friendly repellents: Our deer repellent sprays use safe ingredients to keep your plants protected without harming your landscape.
- Ongoing protection: Our weather-resistant formula ensures continuous protection throughout the summer, even during the heat.
- Expert service: We offer regular follow-up services every 3-4 weeks to ensure your property remains deer-free.
Related Services
- Deer Repellent Spraying Service – Learn more about how our professional spraying service can protect your garden this summer.
- Our Products – Explore the natural ingredients in our deer repellent.
- Weather-Resistant Formula – See how our formula withstands harsh summer conditions.
- Contact Us – Reach out today to schedule your first deer repellent application.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Garden from Summer Deer Damage
Summer heat leads to increased deer activity, and with it, the risk of damage to your garden and landscape. By applying deer repellent sprays, creating physical barriers, and adding deer-resistant plants, you can keep your garden safe and beautiful throughout the summer months.
Contact us today to schedule your first summer deer repellent application and ensure your garden stays deer-free this season!
