Nighttime Flower Damage: Deer, Not Groundhogs

Flowers eaten at night with no daytime activity points to deer. Groundhogs are diurnal. Look for cloven hoof prints in soft soil near damage.

Effective Deer Deterrence

• Fencing: 7–8 ft tall, or 45° slanted outward. Electric fence (where legal) is highly effective.
• Repellents: Rotate products (putrescent egg solids, capsaicin, predator urine) to prevent habituation. Apply per label.
• Commercial deterrent: The author markets an electronic deterrent system (Walnut Creek Enterprises).

Deer follow stream corridors—riverside properties will always have pressure. Fencing is the only near-100% solution.