Are the Droppings in My Yard from Deer or Another Animal?
If you're finding small, dark piles of droppings in your yard in Long Island, New York City, or New Jersey, you're not alone — and you're definitely not the first to wonder:
“Are these from deer, or is some other animal visiting my yard?”
As the go-to deer control experts at Deer Guys, New York Deer Control, and New Jersey Deer Control, we get this question constantly. And trust us — deer droppings have a very distinct look.
Here’s how you can tell if it’s a deer or something else leaving a mess in your landscape.
What Do Deer Droppings Look Like?
Deer droppings are:
- Small and oval
- Dark brown to nearly black
- Pellet-shaped
- About the size of a jellybean
- Usually left in clusters or scattered piles
When fresh, they may be slightly shiny or moist. As they dry, they become dull and harder. You’ll often find them near garden beds, hostas, shrubs, or trees that have been chewed or torn.
Want to confirm it’s deer? Here’s how to spot other signs they’ve been in your yard.
What Other Animals Leave Similar Droppings?
1. Rabbits
Rabbit droppings are also small and round, but they tend to be more perfectly spherical and a bit lighter in color than deer pellets. You’ll often find them in very compact piles, usually close to bushes or thick vegetation where rabbits like to hide and feed.
While they may resemble deer droppings at first glance, rabbit pellets are typically found in more concealed spots and in tighter clusters. Observing the location and formation of the droppings can help you tell the difference quickly.
2. Raccoons
Raccoon feces are significantly larger than deer pellets and have a tubular shape. They are often found near tree bases, on flat surfaces like rooftops, or around garbage bins—areas raccoons commonly explore.
Unlike deer, raccoons have a varied diet, and their droppings may contain undigested food particles. These traits make raccoon feces easy to differentiate from the neat, uniform pellets of deer.
3. Squirrels
Squirrel droppings are tiny, similar in size to a raisin, and are not usually clustered like deer or rabbit droppings. They tend to be scattered and are often found near trees or in attics if squirrels have entered the home.
These droppings are harder to notice and are less likely to be found out in the open yard. If you see small, sparse droppings around tree trunks or entry points to your attic, squirrels are the more likely culprit.
4. Dogs (from neighboring yards)
Dog waste is much larger and softer than deer pellets and carries a strong odor. Unlike deer, dogs eat a more varied diet, which results in bulkier and messier droppings that are hard to miss.
Dog feces are usually left in random spots in the yard and are rarely mistaken for deer droppings. Their appearance and smell make them one of the easiest to identify among common backyard visitors.
Why It Matters If It’s Deer
If the droppings are from deer, it’s a strong sign they’re regularly visiting your yard—not just passing through. Deer tend to return to the same feeding grounds night after night, especially if you’ve got tasty plants, shrubs, or trees.
If you’re seeing deer pellets AND plant damage, it’s time to act.
What to Do If You Find Deer Droppings
Step one: Don’t ignore it. Deer populations across Long Island, NYC suburbs, and New Jersey neighborhoods are active year-round. If your yard is on their dinner route, they’ll keep showing up unless you break the pattern.
Step two: Let us help. We specialize in stopping deer damage before it ruins your landscape.
Our deer repellent:
- Is environmentally safe
- Made with natural ingredients
- Harmless to humans and pets
- Weather resistant
- And used exclusively by us — you won’t find it in stores
Check out our deer repellent spraying services
Don’t Wait — We Can Help
If you're unsure whether those droppings belong to a deer, send us a photo through our contact page. We’ve seen it all.
Or even better, try our FREE trial spray to see firsthand how we stop deer in their tracks.
Locally operated. Owner-run. Trusted since 2002. Serving homeowners across Long Island, NYC, and New Jersey
More Questions Answered in Ask Deer Guys:
- What are the signs that deer have been in my yard?
- How can I tell if deer are eating my plants?
- When is the worst time of year for deer damage?
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