How to Keep Deer Away From Fruit Trees

Use scent to deter deer. Clumps of human hair, bars of hand soap or a commercial deer repellent, such as one that uses blood meal, can be scattered around the tree to deter deer. Unfortunately, this is often not a long-term solution as the deer become accustomed to the scent.

Use sound or sight to deter deer. You can purchase a device with a motion sensor that sets off an ultrasonic sound that humans cannot hear, but deer can. Deer do not like it and leave. You can also use a radio or hang pots and pans that make noise in the wind. In addition, you can add a scarecrow or a fake dog. Again, deer may become accustomed to such deterrents, so you may want to mix things up a bit at times. Use a different scent with a different sound or use a different scent repellent with a different sound, etc.

Rope or net off your fruit trees if you don‘t have too many deer eating from your fruit trees. Set posts around the desired area and use deer netting or monofilament twine (e.g. heavy-duty fishing twine) placed every two inches. This will be less expensive than getting a fence and may just work.

Fence around your fruit trees, garden or property lines if you have a significant deer problem. Fences are used to keep deer off highways and they can be used to keep deer away from your fruit trees. You can have a commercial deer fence installed or you can use a regular fence that is at least 8 feet high. Choose a privacy fence so the deer don‘t see your fruit trees and will be less tempted to jump. You can also slant a 6 foot fence outward at a 45 degree angle. This is not as high, but it is wide, which may make up for lost height.