I use dryer sheets when it's not very windy and no rain in a forecast. Just cut a hole in middle of a sheet or cut it almost across to tie it to a branch. I use dryer sheets with lilac scent, has a very strong scent and it works great. You should try it.
Dryer sheets can hold on to a strong odor for a couple of months for sure. Depending on the season and amount of rain.And that's for a human very limited sense of smell. But I guess dryer sheets tied to a few branches also somewhat confuses deer. I guess when they approach a tree to take a bite and find something not edible and smelly they get confused and panic. As deer cannot see very well but their sense of smell is tremendous. Also deer don't like shiny and blue colors. Use blue dryer sheets. During January-February, when deer is aggressively looking for food, I use a combination of things. So my trees stay decorated and smelly at least till mid April.
Electric fence, set up with 5 strands, plus the slanted add-on from the near-top, with 2 or 3 strands, plus a minimum 6kv shock box will keep the deer away, for the most part. Hair and soap will fail you, along with urine and noise boxes, all fail. Shock and shoot assure success.
I have a vineyard nearby and they use the same thing for awhile. Then move to a one wire electric fence. But bait the fence with cheap oven pie plate with peanut butter on them. The deer learned very quickly not to go near the one wire fence. I have a 8 ft fence around my 15 acres.
I had the idea to just electrify the vineyard wires. I am still learning about electric fencing for my bees so I'm not sure if doing the whole vineyard is smart (or possible.) Fencing the whole property is way out of the question.
I know exactly what you are going though, I tried the electric fence to. But the problem with that is if weeds or branches touch the wire the system get grounded and does not work. I socks at the best..
Electric fence will kill any plants touching the wire. Grass will burn brown, for example. Anything shorting the fence to ground will reduce the shock potential. Fence only the area needing protection. Place an entrance hook handle on each strand. Do not twist wires around insulators. Wire on the 'outside' of the perimeter, never on inside.
Thank you for this video. Yes, it's very depressing when they wipe out your plantings unexpectedly and you see the next morning what they've done. I'll be planting 3 dwarf apple and 1 dwarf peach trees this week. I'm petrified they'll eat my young trees. They already ate my crape myrtles, hydrangeas, viburnums, etc. I will try the soap socks as well as hardware cloth cages.
We've been having success with ammonia. 1" straight ammonia in an empty ice cream bucket weighted with a rock set on a crate near the trees. Needs refreshing and needs to be covered during a rain.
Put out some soap sox last week and now when the deer come to feed on the trees they wash up first and then use the sox when the nights turn cold. sorry I couldn't help myself.
My trees are just getting started. As they grow, It's all in the training and pruning. When I tie the branches this fall I'll be sure to make a video. Thanks for watching.
Farmer Dre It worked for me, but after time, the deer get used to it. I don’t have entire saplings being eaten like I used to, but there are definitely still nibbles on the tips of branches.
Human hair and dog fur work well for a short amount of time. when all else fails, a bow, crossbow, or rifle will get the job done, and give you meat for the freezer. State laws vary, but in PA you can kill pests without a hunting license on private property, however it needs to be a "pest".
The deer are way worse in PA. (At least that's the impression I get driving on the PA Turnpike.) I wouldn't call our deer problem 'heavy' but it only takes one deer about 15 minutes to eat 20 or 30 apple tree whips. I will report that since the soap went up, there were no more nibbles for the entire season. The trees had other stresses this year (severe/extreme drought) but they did leaf out and were not killed. Not sure if it was coincidence or if the soap actually worked, but the result was good.
Good video, I used some vented bags with a small hotel bar of cheap soap in them I bought from Adams County nursery. They were beautiful trees and one day, bam, all gone. We have a lot of deer, but also rabbit and groundhogs. I am about to re-plant and this time will need to protect at multiple levels. Frustrating losing a couple years of time though. I'm also going to try 30lb test fishing line around the perimeter to see if that helps. Thanks for posting, I subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your vids.
Paul Otis 25 Semi-dwarf apples (12-15' tall) and about 100 dwarf apples growing on the wires. We also have 4 pears and 1 peach tree. We will keep adding apples to the failing grape rows over the next couple years, which will probably double what we have now.
I actually did film it, but I have not edited the footage yet. It kind of looks like me putting sticks into holes. There's nothing exciting about it since they are all small, bare-root trees. I'm hoping to insert some of the footage into a near future video. Stay tuned! (I assume you saw the first planting video linked in the description above?)
I did see the apple planting video, was just curious how you approached training them. I could just look it up, but I like your approachability and sincere videos. Great work!
So far, the training is just bending and tying the young branches to the existing wires. Only a few have reached the top wire so far. It's not complicated and I'm not doing and fancy fans or woven patterns... just a central trunk and 6 lateral arms along the three wires. I haven't even had to prune much yet. All the trees are very young. The real training and pruning will start in about 2-3 years.
We used to have a big problem with deer eating entire trees until a year ago when I hung soap stockings in my fruit trees. I also added netting. Question: how effective are the soap socks? I just planted new baby mulberry trees loaded with berries (I'm worried), and I'm trying to find the best deer deterrent. I don't mind losing berries... but entire trees... not willing.
The soap socks seem to be working really well for us. No nibbles since we put them up a year ago. Our big trees in the orchard get nibbled, but they can handle it. These little ones on the wires need a good deterrent. It's super cheap to give this a try and it can't hurt! Go for it.
Very interesting, I can see how this would work - it'd certainly keep me away from those trees! (I'm not a big fan of strong perfumes and strongly-scented soaps, haha)
Thanks. I know it was a dumb question after looking at your farm tour video. :) We are looking for a small farm supplier that can supply us a range of organic produce in very very small quantities. 1 or 2 boxes in each. If you know of any other small organic farms in your area with the same ethos we'd appreciate the contact. Thanks in advance
Nature's Cadence Farm I installed an electric fence. We don't have heavy bear pressure, but I see bear 'evidence' in the field every year. The electric fence is a deterrent, but not a complete solution.
It was definitely effective in the beginning. It might remain effective if you don't have a ton of deer pressure. We have a lot of deer and they do still come by and nibble the tips, but entire trees are not being eaten anymore. I'd say it's doing SOMETHING, but it's not a complete solution.
I had to laugh when you described the aroma - I sure hope you do not say to your wife or her female friends "oh, that's a nice stinky, smelly perfume"......... Best wishes.
Shawn Hyde I did notice a difference when I first started doing this, but deer pressure has increased a LOT in the past year. It’s hard to say how effective it is these days. I still see nibbling, but not entire trees eaten. I don’t know how bad it would be without the soap!
Soap does not work, hair does not work, urine does not work, dog urine does not work. I've tried them all. If you are finding success with them you are lucky. The only thing that does work - well 2 things. 1. An 8 foot fence, and 2. a 30-06. God Bless
God bless you Joe. Your solutions are not possible for me to use though. Sprayed that Deer-off on some roses, and it was good for an entire week. If you choose to try it, I wish you great fortune. Kindest Regards.
Yeah, this seemed to work for a couple years and now it's hit or miss. I set up a two layer electric fence that's working perfectly in my field. ruclips.net/video/LY-eOrcx7-M/видео.html
A perfect example of a" guessing opinion" as if it were authoritative! Soap smells like humans, aiiiiiiaiii Why post your "experimentation" without follow up results?!?! ????
That joke right at the end was wonderful, thanks always for the fun videos.
Thanks for watching!
I use dryer sheets when it's not very windy and no rain in a forecast. Just cut a hole in middle of a sheet or cut it almost across to tie it to a branch. I use dryer sheets with lilac scent, has a very strong scent and it works great. You should try it.
I never thought of dryer sheets! Good tip. How long do they last?
Dryer sheets can hold on to a strong odor for a couple of months for sure. Depending on the season and amount of rain.And that's for a human very limited sense of smell. But I guess dryer sheets tied to a few branches also somewhat confuses deer. I guess when they approach a tree to take a bite and find something not edible and smelly they get confused and panic. As deer cannot see very well but their sense of smell is tremendous. Also deer don't like shiny and blue colors. Use blue dryer sheets. During January-February, when deer is aggressively looking for food, I use a combination of things. So my trees stay decorated and smelly at least till mid April.
Kate, I have used dryer sheets against ants for years. Supposedly, it confounds their pheromones. Works for me.
Electric fence, set up with 5 strands, plus the slanted add-on from the near-top, with 2 or 3 strands, plus a minimum 6kv shock box will keep the deer away, for the most part.
Hair and soap will fail you, along with urine and noise boxes, all fail.
Shock and shoot assure success.
I have a vineyard nearby and they use the same thing for awhile. Then move to a one wire electric fence. But bait the fence with cheap oven pie plate with peanut butter on them. The deer learned very quickly not to go near the one wire fence. I have a 8 ft fence around my 15 acres.
I had the idea to just electrify the vineyard wires. I am still learning about electric fencing for my bees so I'm not sure if doing the whole vineyard is smart (or possible.) Fencing the whole property is way out of the question.
I know exactly what you are going though, I tried the electric fence to. But the problem with that is if weeds or branches touch the wire the system get grounded and does not work. I socks at the best..
Electric fence will kill any plants touching the wire. Grass will burn brown, for example.
Anything shorting the fence to ground will reduce the shock potential.
Fence only the area needing protection.
Place an entrance hook handle on each strand. Do not twist wires around insulators.
Wire on the 'outside' of the perimeter, never on inside.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I like your helpers
Thank you so much!! I have approximately 20 - 30 deer that eat my apples every year. I am going to try this as nothing else seems to work.
this channel is very high quality
Thanks for watching! Spread the word!
Thank you for this video. Yes, it's very depressing when they wipe out your plantings unexpectedly and you see the next morning what they've done. I'll be planting 3 dwarf apple and 1 dwarf peach trees this week. I'm petrified they'll eat my young trees. They already ate my crape myrtles, hydrangeas, viburnums, etc. I will try the soap socks as well as hardware cloth cages.
Easy deal. From vegetarian you have to become carnivore till the last deer and go back to vegetarian, plant fruit.
We've been having success with ammonia. 1" straight ammonia in an empty ice cream bucket weighted with a rock set on a crate near the trees. Needs refreshing and needs to be covered during a rain.
I have purchased hotel sized soap bars online and zip tied them to trees. You drill a hole in the soap bar and use a zip tie to affix it to the tree.
Did it keep these deer away? Love the idea!
do you still recommend using the soap socks for deer.
Deer are the worst, just simply the worst and they laugh at fencing
also, soap in the sock, you have a soap sock love it!
Put out some soap sox last week and now when the deer come to feed on the trees they wash up first and then use the sox when the nights turn cold. sorry I couldn't help myself.
It would be great to see a video on espalier tree planting.
My trees are just getting started. As they grow, It's all in the training and pruning. When I tie the branches this fall I'll be sure to make a video. Thanks for watching.
How well did this work. We are seeing deer damage every night and its terrible
Farmer Dre It worked for me, but after time, the deer get used to it. I don’t have entire saplings being eaten like I used to, but there are definitely still nibbles on the tips of branches.
Human hair and dog fur work well for a short amount of time. when all else fails, a bow, crossbow, or rifle will get the job done, and give you meat for the freezer. State laws vary, but in PA you can kill pests without a hunting license on private property, however it needs to be a "pest".
The deer are way worse in PA. (At least that's the impression I get driving on the PA Turnpike.) I wouldn't call our deer problem 'heavy' but it only takes one deer about 15 minutes to eat 20 or 30 apple tree whips. I will report that since the soap went up, there were no more nibbles for the entire season. The trees had other stresses this year (severe/extreme drought) but they did leaf out and were not killed. Not sure if it was coincidence or if the soap actually worked, but the result was good.
Nice video!
Thanks NPXD!
Will this work for horses? My horse destroys everything
Laundry fabric softener sheets are supposed to work too.
Good video, I used some vented bags with a small hotel bar of cheap soap in them I bought from Adams County nursery. They were beautiful trees and one day, bam, all gone. We have a lot of deer, but also rabbit and groundhogs. I am about to re-plant and this time will need to protect at multiple levels. Frustrating losing a couple years of time though. I'm also going to try 30lb test fishing line around the perimeter to see if that helps. Thanks for posting, I subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your vids.
Looks like a huge orchard, how many Apple trees do you have? Do you have Pear and cherry trees too?
Paul Otis 25 Semi-dwarf apples (12-15' tall) and about 100 dwarf apples growing on the wires. We also have 4 pears and 1 peach tree. We will keep adding apples to the failing grape rows over the next couple years, which will probably double what we have now.
Does this work on rodent pests too? (rats, squirrels, rabbits that eat my Japanese maple trees)
another great video. would you consider filming your next espalier planting endeavor?
I actually did film it, but I have not edited the footage yet. It kind of looks like me putting sticks into holes. There's nothing exciting about it since they are all small, bare-root trees. I'm hoping to insert some of the footage into a near future video. Stay tuned! (I assume you saw the first planting video linked in the description above?)
I did see the apple planting video, was just curious how you approached training them. I could just look it up, but I like your approachability and sincere videos. Great work!
So far, the training is just bending and tying the young branches to the existing wires. Only a few have reached the top wire so far. It's not complicated and I'm not doing and fancy fans or woven patterns... just a central trunk and 6 lateral arms along the three wires. I haven't even had to prune much yet. All the trees are very young. The real training and pruning will start in about 2-3 years.
Moth balls work as well.
justinmk79 Yes, but soap smells so much nicer!
Vino Farm that it does
We used to have a big problem with deer eating entire trees until a year ago when I hung soap stockings in my fruit trees. I also added netting.
Question: how effective are the soap socks?
I just planted new baby mulberry trees loaded with berries (I'm worried), and I'm trying to find the best deer deterrent.
I don't mind losing berries... but entire trees... not willing.
The soap socks seem to be working really well for us. No nibbles since we put them up a year ago. Our big trees in the orchard get nibbled, but they can handle it. These little ones on the wires need a good deterrent. It's super cheap to give this a try and it can't hurt! Go for it.
Very interesting, I can see how this would work - it'd certainly keep me away from those trees! (I'm not a big fan of strong perfumes and strongly-scented soaps, haha)
From what I've learned deer have good noses and horrible eyes. If they catch a whiff of humans, they are very wary because they really can't see well.
GREAT VIDEOS... You've inspired me to start bee keeping. Quick question. Do you farm apples organically and if so can you export?
Yes, organic. No, we are not a commercial farm yet. We are just getting started. It'll be a while! Thanks for watching.
Thanks. I know it was a dumb question after looking at your farm tour video. :) We are looking for a small farm supplier that can supply us a range of organic produce in very very small quantities. 1 or 2 boxes in each. If you know of any other small organic farms in your area with the same ethos we'd appreciate the contact. Thanks in advance
How do you keep the bears out of your beehive?
Nature's Cadence Farm I installed an electric fence. We don't have heavy bear pressure, but I see bear 'evidence' in the field every year. The electric fence is a deterrent, but not a complete solution.
so... this work well enough 3 years later?
It was definitely effective in the beginning. It might remain effective if you don't have a ton of deer pressure. We have a lot of deer and they do still come by and nibble the tips, but entire trees are not being eaten anymore. I'd say it's doing SOMETHING, but it's not a complete solution.
I had to laugh when you described the aroma - I sure hope you do not say to your wife or her female friends "oh, that's a nice stinky, smelly perfume".........
Best wishes.
My awesome wife doesn't need perfume, so I don't have to worry about that!
cant we hunt or trap the deer for meat ?
Did this ever work for you?
Shawn Hyde I did notice a difference when I first started doing this, but deer pressure has increased a LOT in the past year. It’s hard to say how effective it is these days. I still see nibbling, but not entire trees eaten. I don’t know how bad it would be without the soap!
Soap doesn’t deter the deer in my area, tried every brand of soap. Pie plates doesn’t work either. Deers eat everything.
Soap does not work, hair does not work, urine does not work, dog urine does not work. I've tried them all. If you are finding success with them you are lucky. The only thing that does work - well 2 things. 1. An 8 foot fence, and 2. a 30-06. God Bless
God bless you Joe. Your solutions are not possible for me to use though. Sprayed that Deer-off on some roses, and it was good for an entire week. If you choose to try it, I wish you great fortune. Kindest Regards.
Lost few trees myself to deer while having a soap on them. It’s beyond me how to prevent deer from destroying my trees.
Yeah, this seemed to work for a couple years and now it's hit or miss. I set up a two layer electric fence that's working perfectly in my field. ruclips.net/video/LY-eOrcx7-M/видео.html
Soap never worked for me...not even human hair...nothing did..
You broke my brain... I can't figure out if Soap smells like humans or if humans smell like soap....
It really is a chicken/egg situation. Now I'm confused.
enough detterent time for you to lock and load.
never mind
Yes, but they tend to eat all year long and disappear during hunting season.
A perfect example of a" guessing opinion" as if it were authoritative!
Soap smells like humans, aiiiiiiaiii
Why post your "experimentation" without follow up results?!?! ????
You could just ask. No need to be that way.