Cages are not usually what people have in mind for visual appeal, but they do protect young fruit trees and shrubs from being nibbled away until they have a chance to outgrow the deer s reach. They all work for a short while, but none works forever, because deer get accustomed to them. The trick, therefore, is to switch repellents every few weeks. Here are the ones most often recommended. Egg and water spray is made by whizzing two eggs in a blender filled with water.
Spray plants regularly, from every few days to every week, and repeat after rain.
Ro-Pel and other commercial animal repellents also do the job for a while. It is the most God-awful bitter tasting stuff you will ever encounter, if you somehow get it in your mouth. Better yet, two or three plastic bags would be better. Dry bloodmeal sprinkled in a thin band around plants or garden beds seems to work pretty well, but it has to be reapplied every few weeks and after rain. Some dogs will lap up bloodmeal as if you put it down just for them.