Gardeners often wonder if deer will consume the aromatic chamomile plants in their yards. Deer tend to avoid chamomile, though they might nibble on it when other food sources are scarce. This herb is commonly listed as deer-resistant.
Deer and Chamomile Interactions
Deer avoid chamomile due to its distinct characteristics. It has a strong aromatic scent and a bitter taste that deer find unappealing. The plant contains compounds that contribute to its unpalatability.
Research indicates that chamomile oil can act as a feeding deterrent, reducing deer grazing on treated plants. While deer are opportunistic herbivores, chamomile ranks low on their preferred food list. Consumption is rare and typically occurs only during extreme food scarcity, such as in winter.
Understanding Deer Foraging Habits
Deer are generalist herbivores, consuming a wide variety of plant material including buds, twigs, leaves, fruits, and nuts. Their diet is influenced by plant palatability, texture, and nutritional value. Deer also select food sources to avoid secondary plant compounds that could disrupt their digestion. Their digestive systems are adapted to high-quality, easily digestible forage.
A deer’s diet shifts significantly with the changing seasons and the availability of food. In spring and summer, they prefer green forage like forbs, grasses, and new growth from trees and shrubs. As colder weather arrives and food becomes scarcer, their diet transitions to woody browse, twigs, buds, and hard mast like acorns. This seasonal adaptation allows them to survive on available resources throughout the year.
Safeguarding Your Garden from Deer
Protecting your garden from deer often requires a multi-pronged approach. Installing physical barriers like fences is one of the most effective methods, with an ideal height of at least 7 to 8 feet to deter deer from jumping. Mesh or wire fencing can be an effective barrier. Double fencing, where two lower fences are placed a few feet apart, can also create a psychological barrier that confuses deer.
Commercial deer repellents, available as sprays or granules, work by creating unpleasant scents or tastes. Many contain ingredients like rotten eggs, garlic, or predator urine, which deer find offensive. These repellents need regular reapplication, especially after rain or as new plant growth emerges, to maintain effectiveness. Rotating different types of repellents can also prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single formula.
Companion planting with deer-resistant varieties can also help deter browsing. Plants with strong odors, fuzzy leaves, or bitter tastes, such as lavender, mint, rosemary, or yarrow, are often avoided by deer. Interplanting these strong-smelling herbs among more vulnerable plants can make the entire area less appealing to deer.
Chamomile’s Safety for Deer
Chamomile is considered non-toxic to deer and other animals. It is widely used in herbal remedies for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. While safe, consuming very large quantities might lead to mild digestive upset. Symptoms in animals, though rare, could include vomiting or diarrhea in cases of excessive intake. However, because deer find chamomile unpalatable due to its strong scent and bitter taste, they are unlikely to consume enough to experience adverse effects.