The Message Board

Indonesian Deer PESTS! - Sutherland Shire

Posted 622 days ago

I am just wondering if anyone has any deer-proof solutions for us.. We have worked hard in our garden, only to see certain plants destroyed time and time again by the Indonesian deer from the nearby National Park.
I am assuming that it is deer that is eating our plants, as they are common in the area and well-known garden eaters..
We have seen them up very close, in fact at one time they would be into our waste bin every night..

We have tried putting up a wire fence (first tried chook wire, but they just pushed that down, now have stronger wire), but they are either jumping over or they are that big that they can reach over it (it has been of much discussion/argument in our household - my husband thinks that leaving a gap in the fence of about 30cm wouldn't be big enough to let them through - I think they are desperate enough to squeeze themselves through, and besides I'm sure there are small ones who are hungry too!)

First, they have annihilated our 3 hibiscus bushes - I have lost count how many times. They are only new plants, and each time, as soon as they get lush & green & sprouting one or two flowers, they have been mowed down to bare twigs.. The plants seem to have given up a little (as have I!) and I know it is winter time now, but they seem to be not growing anymore.

Now they have also munched down our 2 frangipani plantings - both were looking lush & beautiful - we have grown them from cuttings. Now they look trashed.

And today I finally see that overnight they have attacked our bouganvillea! I didn't think they would go near that, as it is spiky! To top it off, they have also munched to the dirt my 8 year old daughters seedlings of sweet pea. How sad, she was so excited to see them growing... I hate to have to tell her..

My only option I can think of is to cover everything they like with netting, as fences don't seem to stop them. Is this the way to go? (our whole property is not fenced, as we have a large land area 1100sqm, and cannot afford to fence the whole place in!)

Any suggestions are very welcome..
Thankyou.