Blueberries are a favored food source for deer, and these animals can cause significant damage to blueberry plants. While deer do not exclusively seek out blueberries, they readily consume both the berries and the plant material, especially when other food options are limited. Protecting your blueberry bushes from deer requires proactive measures for a successful harvest.
Understanding Deer Dietary Habits
Deer are primarily browsers, meaning their diet consists of leafy parts of woody plants, including twigs, buds, and shoots. They are highly adaptable and opportunistic eaters, consuming a wide range of vegetation. Their diet also includes forbs, grasses, and various forms of mast (fruits and nuts). A deer’s diet is influenced by seasonal changes and metabolic needs. While they consume many plant species, a significant portion often comes from preferred forages.
Why Deer Are Attracted to Blueberries
Deer are drawn to blueberries due to their sweet taste, nutritional content, and accessibility. Blueberries are rich in natural sugars, carbohydrates, and provide vitamins and antioxidants, making them an appealing, high-energy food source.
Deer browse on blueberry bushes when other preferred food sources are scarce. This often occurs during drought, late winter, or in areas with high deer populations.
They consume tender new foliage and shoots in spring, buds, flowers, and ripening berries. Deer also eat the leaves, stems, and twigs of the plant, especially when fruits are not available or food is limited.
Strategies for Protecting Your Blueberries
Protecting blueberry bushes from deer involves physical barriers and deterrents.
Physical Barriers
A tall fence is often the most effective method, as deer can jump. An 8-foot fence is generally recommended, or a double fence with two shorter fences spaced a few feet apart can confuse them. For individual bushes, sturdy metal cages made from wire mesh, about 5-6 feet tall, provide protection. Netting can also be draped over bushes, especially as berries ripen, to prevent access.
Repellents
Deer repellents offer another layer of defense. These products contain ingredients that deter deer through taste or scent, such as putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin. Repellents need regular reapplication, particularly after rain, and rotating types can prevent deer from becoming accustomed to one.
Other Deterrents
Planting deer-resistant companion plants around blueberry bushes can also help, as they often have strong scents or unpalatable textures. Examples include lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and alliums like chives or onions. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle deer and discourage them from entering the area.