How better to launch my new DIY Diary button than to post a new DIY! I've been wanting to make a gentle but effective deer repellent for a while and am pleased with this concoction. I don't know about you, but where I live, sharing the land with hungry deer is just part of everyday life. I feel for them (most of the time) as they have less and less land to live on with all the houses and commercial developments being built yearly, but they have become bolder than ever before and, over the years, eat more and more of my garden. After some research, I decided a pepper spray was my best option. This spray could not be simpler to make. and it's really economical compared to some of the repellent products on the market.
All you need is cayenne pepper and water -- really! I used a hot sauce that had cayenne pepper in it which cost me all of $1.99. In a large container, pour 6 to 8 drops of hot sauce and mix with 1 gallon of water.
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| I liked using this fancy carafe -- just for fun! |
Blend well and pour into a clean spray bottle.
Spray liberally over flowers and plants that deer love.
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| You can see where the deer have dined on this hosta. |
When deer attempt to dine on these plants, they'll experience a slight burn on their tongues and avoid them. This spray won't actually hurt them but simply repel them, a win-win in my book. You'll need to reapply after a few days and/or after a heavy rain but one bottle should last most of the summer. I can attest that this spray has worked! Try it and let me know your results.
I love your new buttons! And I'm so impressed you figured out how to do it!
ReplyDeleteYour mix looks pretty tasty to me - I love spicy food! But I can see how the deer wouldn't be too fond of it. I used to have a problem with rabbits when I lived in St. Louis. They'd eat any veggie I tried to grow, but I like bunnies so much that I just let them!
Thanks, Gail, I love my new button, too. Hmmm, you're right -- what if a brood of deer who like spicy veggies move into my neighborhood? As for rabbits, I think I would probably let them eat my veggies, too!
DeleteNew buttons! How fun! You are really making some great changes to your layout (although your old one was great too). I'm going to have to hand this recipe off to my mother who is having a terrible time with deer this year. Her main response has been to cover everything in chicken wire (the bunnies are also a problem). Glad to hear that something so simple works!
ReplyDeleteIf your mother tries this, please let me know the results. And thanks for the compliments!
DeleteWe don't have deer here but we have a problem with chipmunks. I may try this just to see if it works with them too!
ReplyDeleteWe need a similar deterrent for squirrels at the bird feeders and not the birds.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, I think this would work for chipmunks, as well. We learned that peppers sprinkled about is off-putting to chipmunks so why not liquid.
Yes, a chipmunk got into the house and Hubby and I were held hostage for four-and-a-hours before we FINALLY swished him out the door.
hugs
I love the new buttons they are so cute! We get deer all the time running around in our back yard so I am for sure going to use this!
ReplyDeleteawesome! i wonder if it would work for other critters too. we have an issue with rabbits and i love how this doesn't hurt them.
ReplyDeleteSo great that you're being both DIY and eco-friendly!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that would have the same effect on possums? I must remember this!
ReplyDeleteVery clever with the buttons :)
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a problem with deer here - just toddlers.
Do you think that this would work with raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits?
ReplyDeleteDo you think that this would work with raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits?
ReplyDeleteThis pepper spray won't hurt them so it's worth a try.
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