Indian corn, with its vibrant, multi-colored kernels, is popular for ornamental displays, fall decorations, and some culinary uses. Gardeners cultivate it for its aesthetic appeal or as a food crop. A common concern for growers, especially in areas with wildlife, is whether deer will consume the plants. This article explores deer’s interaction with Indian corn and offers practical approaches to safeguard your harvest.
Do Deer Eat Indian Corn?
Deer do eat Indian corn. Like other corn varieties, Indian corn attracts deer due to its palatability and high starch and carbohydrate content.
Deer typically consume various parts of the plant. They may browse on leaves and tender young stalks, especially early in the growing season. As the corn matures, deer are particularly drawn to the developing ears, consuming the silks and kernels. Damage to ears during development can lead to a “telescoping husk” appearance. Deer are most likely to feed on corn during its reproductive stages, specifically the silking and milk stages, when the ears are tender and rich in sugars.
Protecting Indian Corn from Deer
Protecting Indian corn from deer involves various strategies, from physical barriers to repellents and other deterrents. Combining multiple approaches often yields the best results.
Physical barriers provide the most reliable protection. Fencing is highly effective, but deer are agile jumpers, so a fence should ideally be at least 8 feet tall. Options include woven wire, polypropylene mesh, or electric fencing. A double fence with a 6-foot gap can also deter deer due to their poor depth perception.
Deer repellents work by making plants unpalatable through taste or unpleasant through scent. Many commercial repellents contain ingredients like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or mint, which deer find offensive. These sprays need direct application to foliage and often require reapplication after rain or every 2-4 weeks. Homemade solutions using ingredients like garlic, hot pepper, or a milk and egg mixture can also deter deer.
Other deterrents, such as scare tactics, offer temporary solutions. Motion-activated sprinklers, noise makers, or reflective items can startle deer. However, deer can become accustomed to these methods, so rotating or frequently moving them helps maintain efficacy.
Understanding Deer Foraging Behavior
White-tailed deer are browsers, primarily eating leafy parts of woody plants and herbaceous broad-leaved plants, including agricultural crops. Their diet varies seasonally, adapting to available food sources. In colder months, when preferred browse is scarce, deer might forage more for available food.
Recognizing signs of deer damage on Indian corn is important. Deer typically leave ragged or torn edges on plants because they lack upper incisors. Look for tracks, trampled plants, or husks clipped at the ends, resulting in a telescoping appearance. This distinguishes deer damage from that caused by other animals, such as raccoons, which often pull down stalks and peel husks, or squirrels, which may dig up seeds.
Deer activity patterns also influence when Indian corn is most vulnerable. Deer are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk, moving between bedding and feeding grounds. They may also feed at night, especially in areas with human activity. Knowing these patterns helps gardeners anticipate risk and plan protective measures.