Gardening in areas with active wildlife introduces challenges to crop protection, especially from deer. Although deer are herbivores that consume hundreds of plant species, they possess distinct food preferences. Eggplant falls into a category of plants that is generally low on their list of preferred forage, but it is not completely immune to damage. Understanding their aversion and implementing preventive measures allows gardeners to protect their crops effectively.
Is Eggplant a Preferred Food Source for Deer?
Eggplant, scientifically known as Solanum melongena, belongs to the nightshade family, which is the primary reason deer typically avoid it. Plants in this family contain various toxic compounds, including glycoalkaloids like solanine, which is concentrated in the stems and leaves. These compounds give the foliage a bitter taste and can cause digestive upset or illness in mammals, making the plant unpalatable to browsing deer.
Many eggplant varieties possess small, prickly spines or a fuzzy texture on their leaves and stems, which acts as a physical deterrent. Deer tend to avoid plants with strong scents, rough textures, or toxic properties, placing eggplant low on their menu when other options are available.
Deer will still consume eggplant, however, when faced with extreme hunger or high population density, a behavior known as pressure feeding. In these conditions, the deer’s aversion to the taste or texture is overcome by the need for sustenance. While they often avoid the bitter leaves, they may eat the fruit itself, which contains lower concentrations of the defensive compounds.
Recognizing the Signs of Deer Feeding
Deer browsing leaves a characteristic ragged, torn edge on stems and leaves, unlike the clean, surgical cuts left by rodents like rabbits or woodchucks. This difference results from deer lacking upper incisor teeth, forcing them to yank and tear vegetation against their lower teeth and a hard dental pad.
Damage from deer usually occurs at a height above three feet. Finding this damage combined with physical evidence confirms the presence of a deer. Look for two-part, heart-shaped hoof prints, which are distinct from the smaller prints of other pests, often near the damaged plants.
Strategies for Protecting Eggplant Crops
The most reliable strategy for preventing deer damage involves establishing physical barriers around your garden. A fence is the only guaranteed exclusion method, but it must be adequately high to deter jumping. An effective deer fence should be at least eight feet tall, as deer are capable of clearing lower barriers, particularly if they can see a clear landing area.
Alternatively, a double-fence system with two rows of fencing spaced four to five feet apart can be effective, even if the fences are shorter. Deer are reluctant to jump into a confined space where they cannot perceive a safe escape route. For smaller, individual plants, temporary wire cages or mesh tunnels can be used to protect developing eggplants.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense by making the plants taste or smell unpleasant. Taste-based repellents, often containing egg solids, blood meal, or capsaicin, are generally more effective than scent-based options. These products must be applied diligently and reapplied after rain or on new growth to maintain effectiveness. Motion-activated sprinklers can also startle and deter deer, teaching them to avoid the protected area.