Deer are one of the most majestic creatures in North America. These beautiful animals are often seen in wooded areas or roaming through open fields.
Here are a few reasons why you may want to attract deer to your yard
1. Deer are fascinating animals, and it can be fun to watch them interact with each other and their surroundings
2. Deer add beauty and interest to your property
3. Attracting deer to your yard can help control the population of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes
4. If you live in an area where hunting is allowed, attracting deer to your property can provide you with an opportunity to harvest venison for food
With a little effort, you can attract deer to your very own yard! Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Plant native vegetation.
The first step is to provide food for the deer. Deer are browsers, which means they eat mostly plants and foliage.
You can attract deer by planting shrubs and bushes that are native to your area. Examples of plants that are often favoured by deer include Holly, Sumac, Dogwood, Cedar, Azaleas, Black-eyed Susans, Clematis, Hostas, Lilies, Roses Acorns, Berries, and grasses.
If you live in an area where deer are known to roam, doing a little research on what types of plants are native to your region will go a long way in attracting them to your yard.
Add a water source.
Deer need water just like any other animal, so adding a water source to your yard is a great way to attract them.
A small pond or even a birdbath can provide deer with the water they need and give them a reason to visit your yard on a regular basis.
Limit the amount of human activity in your yard.
Deer are naturally skittish animals and will stay away from yards that have a lot of human activity.
If you want deer to feel comfortable coming into your yard, it’s important to limit the amount of noise and activity that takes place there.
This means avoiding things like lawnmowers, dogs, and loud music.
Creating a space where deer feel safe and relaxed is key to attracting them to your property.
Salt lick
You can also attract deer to your yard by providing them with a salt lick. This is especially effective if you live in an area where the natural soil doesn’t contain much salt. You can buy a salt lick at most sporting goods stores, or you can make your own by mixing one part salt with nine parts sand.
By following these simple tips, you can turn your yard into a haven for deer!
These tips can help you create a space where deer feel welcome and comfortable, making them more likely to visit on a regular basis.
Advantages of attracting deers to your yard
Deer Deterrents:
The benefits of attracting deer to your yard include deterring other pests.
For example, if you have a problem with rabbits eating your plants, then planting things that deer like to eat (such as hostas) can help keep the rabbits away.
The same goes for other pests, such as slugs, which deer don’t particularly care for. So, by attracting deer to your yard, you could actually be deterring other pests!
Health Benefits:
Another benefit of deer-resistant landscaping is that it can provide health benefits for the deer themselves.
Deer are often plagued by parasites, such as ticks and fleas. If you have plants that act as natural repellents for these parasites (such as lavender or marigolds), then the deer who eat them will be less likely to suffer from these problems.
This can help keep the deer population healthy overall, which is good for everyone!
Improved Garden Quality:
Finally, attracting deer to your yard can actually improve the quality of your garden! This may seem counterintuitive, but hear us out:
If you have carefully selected plants that are resistant to damage from browsing (such as Yews or boxwoods), then the deer who eat them will actually help keep your garden looking tidy and well-groomed.
Their browse will help keep these plants compact and dense, which in turn will make your garden look its best. So, if you’re hoping to achieve a neat and tidy look in your garden, then deer-resistant landscaping is definitely worth considering!
Deer Are Great for the Environment
One of the best reasons to encourage deer to visit your yard is that they are great for the environment.
Deer help spread seeds and fertilize the ground with their droppings, which helps other plants grow.
They also eat harmful insects, keeping the population under control. In addition, their hooves compact the soil, which prevents erosion. So not only do they provide food for other animals, but they also help keep the ecosystem in balance.
Deer Provide Free Landscaping Services
Deer will naturally trim your plants by eating leaves, fruits, and flowers.
This can save you money on landscaping costs and also help keep your plants healthy by preventing them from getting overgrown.
In addition, their hooves can help aerate the soil, which allows water and nutrients to reach the roots of your plants more easily. As a result, your plants will be stronger and less susceptible to disease.
Deer Aren’t as Harmful as You Might Think
Despite what you may have heard, deer generally aren’t harmful to humans.
They avoid contact with people whenever possible and are more likely to run away than to attack.
In fact, there are only a handful of recorded deaths from deer attacks in the United States each year.
And while they can cause damage to property, such as chewing on wood or eating plants, this damage is usually minor and can be easily repaired.
Moreover, if you take steps to deer-proof your property (such as building a fence), you can prevent this type of damage altogether.
As you can see, there are many benefits to attracting deer to your yard. Not only are they good for the environment, but they can also provide free landscaping services and generally aren’t harmful to humans.
So if you’re looking for a way to add a little bit of nature’s beauty to your property, consider making your yard more inviting for deer.
