448105.4 Repellents for Deer and Rabbits
A variety of commercial repellents (Table 5.4.1) are available to reduce deer or rabbit. Repellents fall into two categories: those that produce an offensive taste when consumed and those that repel with a disagreeable odor. The effectiveness of repellents is extremely variable and is affected by factors such as deer or rabbit numbers, feeding habits, and environmental conditions. Repellents may be cost-effective.
44811Table 5.3.1. Pesticides for management of rodent damage to nursery and landscape plants |
Common Name | Example Trade Name | EPA Reg. No. | Species Controlled | Application Rate |
zinc phosphide | *FZP Rodent Bait AG | 12455-17 | meadow and pine voles | 6-10 lb./A |
Machine baiting: Apply in the drip line of the trees by hand-operated or tractor-mounted fertilizer spreaders before leaves and grass mat down. Broadcast in nurseries during fall for control in winter months. Follow all label precautions and do not apply baits to bare-ground areas. |
*F Indicates a federally restricted use pesticide. |
Table 5.4.1. Commercial deer and/or rabbit repellents
|
Product | Mode of Action | Active Ingredient | Application Method | Distributor |
Hinder | Odor/Taste | ammonium soaps | Spray/Brush | Amvac Chemical Corp. 4695 Macarthur Ct. Newport Beach, CA 92660 |
EPA Reg. No. 5481-508 | | |
Miller Hot Sauce | Taste | capsaicin | Spray | Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corp. Box 333 Hanover, PA 17331 |
EPA Reg. No. 90930-1 | | |
Trico Pro | Odor/Taste | sheep fat | Spray | Kwizda Agro GmbH Universitatsring 6
A-1010 Vienna, Austria |
EPA Reg. No. 71637-2 | | |
for controlling wildlife damage when (1) light to moderate damage is evident, (2) small acreages are damaged, and (3) three or fewer applications will be needed for adequate control. If these three conditions are not satisfied, a grower may want to look at the cost-benefit ratios of electric fence designs or other alternatives.
Some damage must be tolerated with the use of repellents, even if browsing pressure is low. Repellents should be applied before damage is likely to occur and a feeding pattern is established. With taste-based materials, new plant growth should be covered every four weeks during susceptible stages. Repeat applications of odor-based repellents should be made every four to six weeks while plants are susceptible to damage (usually November through April).
Repellents should be applied when precipitation is not expected for 24 hours and temperatures will remain between 40 and 80°F for that period. Applications should be thorough, covering all vulnerable portions of the plant. Hand spray applications may be cost-effective on small acreages, whereas machine sprays will reduce costs on large acreages if four or fewer applications are made each year. If the materials are compatible, adding repellents to a scheduled pesticide application may reduce spray costs.
If browsing pressure is severe, a long-term damage management program should be implemented. Such a program should include potential habitat modifications, reductions in animal numbers, and an evaluation of exclusion alternatives.