Deer are charming creatures, but they’re also pests to anyone who wants to keep their landscaping or gardens intact. It turns out your pantry might have a secret weapon to keep them off your lawn: cloves. While deer may wander your neighborhood in search of tasty greenery to make their dinner, they also want to avoid anything that smells off. Their nose keeps them safe in the wild, and their sense of smell is so sharp that they can differentiate a single scent mingled in with hundreds of others in a given area. Deer are cautious animals first and foremost, and it’s this sense of smell that keeps them safe in the wild. So, if they stumble across something potent in your yard, like a cluster of cloves, they just may head in the opposite direction.
This is a great hack to try because it’s eco-friendly and humane. It doesn’t require any harsh sprays and won’t hurt the deer (or the surrounding environment) with any toxins. Most folks also have a jar of cloves stashed in their pantry, so it’s easy enough to go into the kitchen and sprinkle some out outside. Here’s how to keep deer out of the garden with the help of the common spice.
How to use cloves to deter deer
Cloves are a potent spice with a strong scent, making them perfect for overpowering the scent of the plants deer like to nibble on. Remember, deer will use their noses to find their next meal, so they will sniff out the hostas and Russian sage in your garden. However, if you use whole cloves to mask or intermingle their scent, the deer will stay far away. It’s the perfect way to keep them out of your yard.
To do so, grab a jar and sprinkle the cloves heavily around the plants they seem to snack on the most. You don’t want to be skimpy with the amount, since you really need to rely on the scent to deter them. However, this might not be the best pest control hack if you’re a pet owner who allows their cats or dogs to wander the yard alone. According to WagWalking, cloves contain eugenol, which can be toxic to both cats and dogs, but especially your feline friends. If there is a chance they might go sniffing around your spice deterrent, it’s best to find a different hack.
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