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The Best Deer Repellent

Last updated on July 20, 2023

We looked at the top 13 Deer Repellents and dug through the reviews from 37 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Deer Repellents.

Best Deer Repellent

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Deer might be beautiful to look at, but when they’re chewing up your garden, they quickly become annoying. They mean no harm, but they’ll chew leaves off trees and trample your garden before you even realize it’s happening.

There are plenty of options for safely keeping deer at bay, but one of the easiest and safest is a deer repellent. These come in a variety of options, including a device that hooks up to your garden hose, and then douses the deer with a jet of water whenever they approach. Another type of repellent is a box that provides two small lights to mimic the red glow of the eyes of a predator.

Perhaps the most common repellents are sprays. With these, you simply douse the greenery you want to protect and wait for results. Deer find the odor repulsive, making them turn away without eating. If you choose the spray option, make sure you search for a repellent that doesn’t wash away with the first rainfall. Ideally, you’ll have at least a couple of weeks before you have to spray again.

It’s important to note that sprays may not keep deer out of your garden. You still could find things trampled, so you’ll only be solving the problem of them eating your vegetation. You’ll still find any lower shrubs disturbed. If that’s a concern, a water jet or light-based repellent may be better since they keep the deer at a distance.

Some repellents go beyond keeping deer away. The water blast type of repellent can keep everything from stray dogs to squirrels out of your garden, while units that use lights to mimic predators will go beyond scaring away deer. Some sprays also promise to keep pests and other unwanted visitors away, but you may have to try a couple before you find one that works.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • A blast of water is a safe way to keep deer away. Some repellents connect to your garden hose, then spray a harmless stream of water when it senses a deer approaching. The Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent, on the other hand, is a spray you apply to the plants. It’s safe for the plants but repulsive to the deer, who stay away once they smell them. There are also repellents that use light to fool deer into believing there’s a predator nearby.
  • It’s important to keep safety in mind when choosing a repellent. It doesn’t get safer than a jet spray, which is merely a blast of water. While these jets are often powerful, they’re still gentle enough to keep from hurting any animals they hit. Sprays can be dangerous, though, so it’s important to read labels carefully before buying. The Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent is made from all-natural ingredients, which keeps your pets and children safe. With all-natural ingredients, you also don’t have to worry about harming the environment.
  • Most water jet blaster repellents hook up to a water hose, so make sure you have one that will reach to the desired area before you choose this option. Simply insert the blaster into the ground using the included stake, then connect it up to a hose and you’re ready to go. You can adjust the spraying angle based on the area where deer are likely to show up. When it detects motion, it sprays water for five seconds and then shuts off again. This avoids using excess water while still achieving the desired results.
  • Solar-powered deterrents typically use two powerful LEDs that can be seen for up to half a mile. They mimic the eyes of a predator, scaring deer and other uninvited guests away. They aren’t motion-activated, but they do use solar power, so you won’t have to worry about excessive electricity use.
  • Sprays use odors to deter deer and other creatures. The Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent uses a peppermint scent to deter deer, while other deterrents have a spicy smell. Neither is unpleasant to humans, but they’ve been proven to turn deer away.
  • You’ll have to monitor the batteries of some models to make sure they don’t run out. Most take two AA batteries, and they aren’t included.
  • One bonus with solar-powered models is that they charge up during the day so that they can run all night. They also automatically turn themselves on once the sun sets. This makes them easier to operate while also avoiding using electricity.
  • With spray-on deterrents, you’ll need to make sure you choose a brand that doesn’t wash off easily. The Deer Out Concentrate Deer Repellent excels at this, lasting as long as two weeks with only a few sprays in the areas of the yard where critters enter and exit. Others are rain resistant, but you’ll find that you have to reapply them a little more often.
  • If you want to keep pests like squirrels and raccoons away, you may want to stick with a water jet blaster repellent, which has the power to scare even dogs and birds away from certain areas of your yard.
  • The fact that solar-powered deterrents light up at night may deter more than just deer. In fact, humans may be scared away, thinking it’s a high-end security system.

Our Picks For The Top Deer Repellents

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Redeo Dual Strobe Flashing Deer Repellent, 4-Pack

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Redeo

Dual Strobe Flashing Deer Repellent, 4-Pack

If you're searching for a humane way to keep unwanted wildlife from entering your property, this deer repellent is the way to go. You'll receive four flashing strobe lights that can easily be mounted to a fence, mailbox or garden post. They also work well outside a chicken coop to keep coyotes and other predators at bay.

Overall Take

Upgraded DesignThese deer repellents use the power of the sun to charge during the day.

 Runner Up

Predator Guard All Natural Deer Repellent Pouches, 10-Pack

Predator Guard

All Natural Deer Repellent Pouches, 10-Pack

You'll get not one, not two, but 10 deer repellent pouches when you opt for this set. Each can be hung or placed on a stake and set around the perimeter of your flower or vegetable garden. Since the pouches are rain resistant, you'll enjoy their protection for much longer than traditional repellent sprays.

Overall Take

Stock Up and SaveOnly natural ingredients are used in this deer repellent formula.

Pros
" Economical and easy to use. Simply hang pouches near problem areas. Natural, water-resistant and straight forward. No offensive odor."
Cons
"Expensive and the soap scent attracts other animals."
 We Also Like

Deer Out Concentrate Mint Scented Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

Deer Out

Concentrate Mint Scented Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

This repellent is a spray that you apply to the plants attracting deer and other animals. Its all-natural ingredients make it safe for all creatures. It has a peppermint scent that turns away deer while being pleasant to the human nose.

Overall Take

Safe IngredientsSafe to use in homes with pets, this deer repellent contains only natural ingredients that are safe for the environment.

Pros
" Peppermint smell deters deer. Enviromentally friendly: wont harm birds, bees, pets."
Cons
"Keep in mind when applying the concentrate is that you will have to reapply it every two weeks, and deer many continue to appear in your garden but they will be so repulsed by the smell they will not eat..."
 Strong Contender

Bobbex Long-Lasting Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

Bobbex

Long-Lasting Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

In our tests, this deer repellent has consistently done its job and kept the deer away.  Prior to using it, our rose bushes never bloomed as the deer got the buds.  The only downside is that this repellent has a smell that will linger for about a day and will require reapplication every 4 weeks.

Overall Take

Highest Quality RepellentReliability is what you'll get with this concentrated deer repellent spray.

Pros
" Bobbex is environmentally friendly using only natural ingredients that stop deer browsing by using multiple smell and taste deterrents. Bobbex is environmentally compatible and harmless to all wildlife including humans, pets, birds and aquatic life."
Cons
"Although the all-natural solution can be a little tough on your sense of smell, its strong odor does fade."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the deer repellents available to purchase.
13

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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37

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Offers.com, Blitorn.com, Hunt Spot, Morning Chores, The Washington Post.

13,244

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 13 Deer Repellents and also dug through the reviews from 37 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Deer Repellents.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Bobbex Long-Lasting Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

Our Expert Score

11.4
6 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.4
298 user reviews

Our Take

In our tests, this deer repellent has consistently done its job and kept the deer away.  Prior to using it, our rose bushes never bloomed as the deer got the buds.  The only downside is that this repellent has a smell that will linger for about a day and will require reapplication every 4 weeks.

What other experts liked

Bobbex is environmentally friendly using only natural ingredients that stop deer browsing by using multiple smell and taste deterrents. Bobbex is environmentally compatible and harmless to all wildlife including humans, pets, birds and aquatic life.
- Blitorn.com
Natural ingredients are used in its manufacture making this repellant harmless to both man and wildlife and as such environmentally friendly. It can be sprayed on some edible vegetables except most edible leaves, herbs and roughly skinned berries.
- Hunt Spot
Its potent effect on the deer will continue to work for up to 2 months in most weather conditions
- Morning Chores
Susan Gray, owner of Lake Ridge Nursery, said Bobbex and Deer Scram work best for her customers. Both products have frightening smells and are very effective to repel deer.
- The Washington Post
An independent study conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (Department of Forestry and Horticulture) concluded that Bobbex was the most effective deer repellent only after a physical fence. It scored a 93% on its protection index while the fence scored 100%. To put this in perspective, its nearest competitor...
- Dealing With Deer

What other experts didn't like

Although the all-natural solution can be a little tough on your sense of smell, its strong odor does fade.
- Morning Chores

What to Look For

Deer can be particularly determined, especially if you have a crop on your property that they find extremely tasty. While it can be tempting to try a few deer repellent home remedies that you find on the internet, the University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources warns that these methods simply aren’t effective.

The best way to deter deer from entering your garden is to make the area less appealing. One strategy is to combine the use of a physical barrier with a deer repellent, such as a chemical spray or a psychological deterrent. After a few visits, the deer will begin to register the lack of plant access and the negative experience associated with a foul-tasting spray or a frightful scare and cease to return in the future.

When it comes to a physical barrier, consider micro-enclosures. Deer tend to look for food in places that have an easy entry and exit point. Home gardeners can erect a series of 16-foot cattle panels around the perimeter of the garden. The panels are approximately 50 inches tall and can be secured at the corners using 3/8-inch cable clamps.

Once you have the physical barrier in place, you can move on to the chemical and psychological deer deterrents. Start off spraying around the perimeter of the micro-enclosure with a deer repellent that has an odor the animal is known to detest. A few scents known to be repulsive to deer include mint, garlic, cinnamon, pepper, cloves and citrus.

If you prefer, you can also use predator urine as a deterrent. Deer are fearful of coyotes, wolves, tigers and lions. Simply soak a rag in the predator urine of your choice and set it inside a plastic storage container. Drill several holes in the lid and sides of the container and set it alongside the outer edge of the micro-enclosure. You’ll want to repeat these steps and place one container against each side of the enclosure.

For added protection, consider planting tansy, dill, yarrow, chives, oregano and mint herbs throughout your garden. That way, if the deer does get brave enough to breach the micro-enclosure, it won’t like what it finds.

Lastly, you can install a psychological deterrent. Skip any stationary deterrents, such as a model of a predatory animal, as the deer will eventually realize the model isn’t moving and walk around it. Instead, you need a deterrent that has a motion sensor. As mentioned in the article above, a water blaster or light or sound deterrent will do the trick. When the deer enters the scene, the sensor is triggered and the psychological deterrent is activated.

Combining all three of the methods above is a surefire way of keeping your vegetation safe from those cute, but highly destructive, deer.

Deer Repellent Rankings

1. Redeo Dual Strobe Flashing Deer Repellent, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 1

4. Bobbex Long-Lasting Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 8

5. Deer Out Deer Repellent Concentrate, 1-Gallon

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

8. Enviro Pro Organic Granular Deer Repellent, 5.76-Pound

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

10. I Must Garden Pet-Safe Deer Repellent, 32-Ounce

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 10

11. PREDATOR GUARD Angled Light Deer Repellent

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 9

12. Bobbex B550105 Unscented Deer Repellent, 64-Ounce

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 4

13. Univerayo Sun Powered Deer Deterrent, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 6

More to Explore

Those living in downtown areas likely haven’t noticed, but deer populations have grown exponentially in recent years. Part of this is the simple fact that the wooded areas they once occupied have been taken over by homes and shops. At the same time, deer hunting is on the decline, which means populations are growing. Aside from the hazard they pose to passing vehicles, they also can be disastrous to gardens and shrubs, simply by doing what they need to do to survive: eating. By keeping them away from those areas, homeowners can reduce the hazards they pose and simply enjoy watching them through their windows.

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