How to Protect Your Trees from Rodents and Deer

If you own a home or a yard, trees are not just a part of the landscape; they are a necessity. They provide shade, increase the value of your property, filter the air, and bring peace, beauty, and tranquillity. They are living, breathing entities that contribute to the health and sustainability of our environment. Like you and me, rodents and deer also love trees. But often, they cause extensive and measurable damage. These damages can affect the health and sustainability of trees, sometimes prematurely ending their life.

We will show you how to prevent these pests from harming your trees, keeping your yard healthy and lush. Read on to discover how to shield your favourite trees from rodents and deer. These solutions have been proven effective and are widely used by professionals in the field. Let's keep the trees thriving!

Identifying the Threat

Before you focus on prevention, you need to know what is attacking your trees. Rodents such as mice, rats, or squirrels will chew on the bark of a tree. You can identify which rodents are the culprits by the signs of damage on the tree, such as gnaw marks, stripped bark, or even missing branches. In addition to chewing on the bark, rodents also dig holes and burrows at the base of trees, where their young can nest. These caves will widen and deepen around the roots of your trees, making them vulnerable to attacks. Deer, on the other hand, prefer to consume tree leaves and buds. Their browsing can denude trees of their foliage and stifle their development. Signs of deer damage include bark scrapes on tree trunks and twigs, as well as pungent deer scat.

Four Ways to Protect Your Trees

Having identified the miscreants, you are now ready for preventive action. Here are four steps you can take to keep rodents and deer away from your trees:

1. Barriers

Physical barriers are a natural, low-tech approach to keeping pests out of your trees. For rodents, mesh wire wound around a tree's trunk and buried a few inches into the ground will stop burrowing. For deer, pest-proofing means fencing. A barrier at least eight feet tall, with no gaps or openings they could squeeze through, is the best solution. It would help if you also were diligent about watching for and repairing breaks and damage.

2. Startling Objects

Quick moves or loud noises will scare away rodents and deer. Motion-activated sprinklers, wind chimes, or old CDs that you leave hanging from a low branch – rodents and deer will avoid quick movements or loud noises. Maintenance is required after winter, whether or not pests have settled in during spring and summer. You'll likely need to shift around your objects or replace them with new items to keep pests unsettled.

Utilize these to your advantage:

• Shiny objects: Drape shimmery materials, such as foil strips, old CDs, or Mylar balloons over tree limbs to discourage animals with the glint and movement.
• Noisy devices: Wind chimes, bells, or motion-activated sound devices can startle animals away from your trees.
• Motion-activated sprinklers: Sprays water in response to movement; startles animals and deters them from entering the area.

3. Natural Repellents

Another good option is to use biological repellents, which are made from natural active ingredients that emit smells or tastes pests dislike. They can be prepared at home or bought at a garden center.

Some examples of natural repellents for rodents and deer include:

• Cayenne Pepper Spray: Mix a quart of water with one tablespoon of cayenne pepper and spray it at the base of your trees.
• Predator Urine: Rodents and deer should avoid fox, coyote, and bobcat urine. To protect your trees, sprinkle urine on the surrounding ground.
• Mint Oil: Deer dislike the smell of mint, so spraying diluted peppermint oil on tree leaves can deter them from feeding on them.

4. Chemical Repellents

If natural repellents do not work, chemical repellents are recommended. These are commercial agents that contain active ingredients with repellent properties against pests. Follow the instructions provided by the product, and be sure to spray only on the non-edible parts of the tree. When using chemical repellents, it's important to follow the safety precautions provided by the manufacturer.

Some commonly used chemical repellents include:



• Deer repellent sprays: Containing foul compounds such as putrescent eggs, garlic, or capsaicin (the compound in chili peppers), these sprays keep deer from nosing around.
• Rodent poison: Rodenticides are poisonous. They kill rodents. So, handle rodenticides with care! This is a risk. Ensure that children and pets do not go near them.

Consulting with Professionals

You should contact the experts for quality and outstanding tree service and care. At Kanata Tree Service Masters, we provide you with professional service and recommendations on how to take care of and revitalize your trees. We can perform health checkups and develop a unique care plan that suits your trees and keeps them healthy and pest-resistant so you can stay calm. Call us to schedule an inspection and get professional assistance!

Have Your Trees Inspected by Kanata Tree Service Masters

Barriers, startling objects, natural repellents, and sometimes even chemical repellents can keep your trees safe from pesky rodents and deer. If you need a hand, give us a call! At Kanata Tree Service Masters, we're here to offer expert tree care services to protect your trees from pests and keep them healthy and thriving. Reach out for a consultation today, and let our skilled arborists take care of your trees with top-notch care and expertise.