Do deer repellants work?

How they work

Deer repellents make plants taste bad or smell bad, making them less appealing to deer. Repellents can be applied directly to plants or placed nearby. 

• Effectiveness

  Repellents are typically 15–43% effective. Their effectiveness depends on several factors, including: 

  • Deer hunger: Starving deer may ignore repellents. 

  • Plant attractiveness: Deer may be more attracted to some plants than others. 

  • Repellent type: Some repellents, like those with sulfurous odors, are more effective than others. 

  • Repellent application: Repellents should be applied according to the label to avoid damaging plants. 

  • Repellent rotation: Using multiple repellents on a rotating basis can be more effective than using one repellent alone. 

• Due to the massive over population of deer in areas like Milton, Johns Creek, Canton, Cumming, Peachtree Corners and Alpharetta our studies have shown that while repellents occasionally work, utilizing Atlanta Deer Control or another organization that offers free Atlanta area deer removal will always be the most effective option.