Does putting cayenne pepper down really keep the deer from eating your flowers?

Question

If not, what does. I want my flowers to actually make it to bloom this year.

Answer 1

Great question---it's a fact that deer just LOVE most flowers! I've had an ongoing fight with them for 20 years and I think that I've tried every solution that the other answers mentioned---some like the hair are old wives tales that make for great reading but haven't worked for me. The pepper and hot sauces will work, but are gone after a rain. The only solution I've found that works consistently is a product called "Liquid Fence". You can find it at most nurseries and some home and garden stores. It smells like baby barf, but it works! It's a little spendy---about $25 a quart however, you dilute it with water. Even at $25 it's still less than buying new hostas. You apply it with a sprayer or watering can. You need to reapply every 5-6 weeks, but it will keep the deer away for the entire time---even after a rain. Give it a try, I think you'll be pleased,

Answer 2

I don't know about the pepper thing... but marigolds keep most of your pests away. Gramma always planted them all around the garden and in between other plants... something about the smell and taste of them. Also after awhile the deer will realize that the hair and radio are NOT something to be fearful of... same thing with tying CD's to glimmer in the sun or foil pans to make noise, or motion lights. It may help for a short period but then it loses it's effectiveness. Maybe put a 'spot' in the far part of the yard with a salt or mineral lick. They will stay 'busy' with that and leave your flowers/ garden alone.

Answer 3

I had a problem with groundhogs one year. I researched ways to confound hungry animals, here are some:
- Dump milk around. They don't like the smell of old milk.
- Attach clumps of dog or human hair to trees and fencing. You can put it in nice fabric bags for looks if you like.
- Blood meal, sprinkled around. It's good for plants, too, but smells like death.
- Hang little mesh baggies with irish spring or other very fragrant soap in trees or from fence.
- Surround garden with mothballs (careful- they're toxic, and, they might just smell too bad in a flower bed)
- Six foot high fencing.
- Make a spray using a light oil (like veggie oil), garlic, soap and the hot pepper. Mist plants with it. Careful, you'll want to test it on something first, because some concoctions can cause the sun to burn the plant.
- A dog. Better: a dog that can run around and pee. Better yet: a dog in a yard fenced in with your flowers that can bark at deer.
Well, good luck. Not sure if any of this is useful. It really is a challenge. I ended up losing to the groundhogs, but they can dig and climb fences and all sorts of ridiculious things. Deer are a herd animal, and they're just browsing for some snacks. They also spook easily, I've heard of people playing radios out in the garden during dawn and dusk, when deer are most active. Maybe some marching band music or something. Something with crashes and bangs. Maybe a scarecrow you move around?
Good luck!

Answer 4

Blood Meal works the best. I have had some success with cayenne but the meal seemed to work better if I put in on the ground and hung a pouch from a post on the 4 corners of my garden. I found it at the local nursery.

Answer 5

Honey, if deer are more "timid" than dogs, than "Yes" this will surely work, I promise you this!! My mom got so tired of the dogs next door to her running loose, and pooping in her yards, that she finally went and bought some good chili pepper powder, and sprinkled it all around her property, and those dogs were walking away sneezing she said!!HaHa!! That'll teach them! My mom was so funny, when she was buying the pepper on sale, mind you.. she reminded me of someone who was all devious and sneaky, yet going to get away with something really bad.. and laughing all the way to the check stand.. That's how frustrated she was with these dogs!!! And she had complained to the owner's over & over again, to do something about there dog's!! And even called the pound.. But everytime the pound would show up those dogs would run back home, before they could see them out of there gates! And the next door neighbor's never even so much as got fined for it, because they couldn't actually see them out for with their own eyes... Mom began thinking the pound thought she was "Nutz!!!" hahahah!!! Because they never saw what Mom saw! Anyway, yes this will indeed keep them away!!! Good Luck to you hun!!! Smile!!!

Answer 6

Deer can't stand marigolds for some reason. Put in a nice thick border of marigolds around the perimeter. Cosmos and lemon grass are great for keeping skeeters away.

Answer 7

I have heard of people hanging dads smelly socks around in the yard.Just grab a few pair and place them at all four ends of the yard ,so the wind will be sure to pass the scent over your garden area.A shirt after a hard days work will work also.Mind you,dad will be askin where his clothes are.