Asked on Dec 23, 2015
Which soap is better for keeping the deer away, DIAL or IVORY?
by
Peggy Cox
+27
Mainly out of the garden area, both flower and veggies...
The more that the deer will leave for me to eat....
27 answers
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My neighbors swear by Irish Spring bar soap. They cut it in chunks and sprinkle it around the drip line of their prized shrubs. Works for awhile but not all summer.
Mary
on Dec 23, 2015
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Most of the studies are saying Irish spring or Zest.
Janet Pizaro
on Dec 23, 2015
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Hi Peggy. After researching I've come up with two I found the most recurrence of. Any soap containing a large amount of coconut oil. Then very strong smelling soap; Irish spring. Cut into wedges/squares and hung around the area you want them to stay out of. Let us know which works best in your area for other folks who "search" this topic as well. Good luck and merry Christmas!
Hope Williams
on Dec 23, 2015
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Agree Irish Spring works pretty well for deer. You do have to renew it.
Catherine Smith
on Dec 23, 2015
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Proven fact Irish Spring works. I had a problem with mice getting into the drawers in my kitchen. Put slivers of Irish Spring in each drawer and I have not seen a mouse yet. That overpowering smell is what does the trick.
Judy Ackerman
on Dec 23, 2015
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I 'm using Irish Spring as said by the other ladies. It works for me . I change it out with fresh every couple of months Good luck
Jean Myles
on Dec 23, 2015
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Our deer ignore all soaps. Soap might have worked well when made of natural products, but new chemical-based soaps have changed the effectiveness. The septic guy says fat-based Ivory required frequent septic pump-outs but not for the new version. My deer stoppers are fencing around the small english laurels, blueberries, etc., til the bushes get large enough to fend for themselves. My deer (usually about 8 of them)don't touch lilacs, but love azaleas. If you have a hillside or fence near the house that would make the deer reluctant to get "fenced in," they won't bother the shrubbery in the confined area. Between the house and the hillside beyond the back door, my rhodys grow higher than the house roof and the azaleas need pruning or would cover the windows. Check you local Ag Extension office for tips on what to plant. Good luck.
Em Hooper
on Dec 23, 2015
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Use Irish spring
Kisia
on Dec 23, 2015
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I find that soaps and repellants are iffy at best. They may work some of the time, but can't be trusted. There are creative and attractive fencing options. I recommend you read this short article from the Univ. of Vermont: http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/deerfences.html
Sam
on Dec 23, 2015
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I've used Dial original bar soap for about five years and it does the job for me. It was recommended to me by a a Horticulturist. Good luck! And Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!
Patty
on Dec 23, 2015
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I have tried both and neither ever worked but what did; surprisingly enough, is Human hair. Yup, you read this answer correctly. I merely go around to various hair salons and ask once a week for the bag of hair cutting from the floor; "all free all natural" and then just sprinkle strands around the plants they go for the most. Pile up hair for the most desirable plantings they like. For instance, when I plant my bulbs, I drop human hair on top so squirrels stop digging once they reach the hair. Hope my two cents have helped you out!!
Suzette Trimmer
on Dec 23, 2015
- See 2 previous
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We used Irish Spring on our seedling fruit trees to keep the deer away. There were still leaves on them in early fall, which was not the case the prior year, so it must be doing something.
Cathy
on Dec 23, 2015
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I use a product that is called Panther Pee but is actually wolf urine. It is the only thing that works for me.
Barbara
on Dec 23, 2015
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Totally agree with @Suzette! Ask your stylist for your hair sweepings the next time you're in for a cut!
MN Mom
on Dec 23, 2015
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This is gonna sound gross to some so I apologize up front, depending on your privacy from neighbors you can do this. Place a cinder block in garden and have the male members of the family "mark their territory" on it. The scent will keep the deer away.
Lagree Wyndham
on Dec 23, 2015
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After brushing my long hair dog, I gather his hair and put it in little bags made from old nylon stockings and hang these around the garden - or you can just put it around the plants the deer bother the most. Also, when picking up after the dog, put a little poo around your plants. It won't smell very long and the plants love it, but the deer don't.
IrisCamp
on Dec 23, 2015
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Irish Spring missed with hair from the barber. And a little bit of cyan pepper
Visitor960
on Dec 23, 2015
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My step dad is constantly trying new things to keep the deer out of his flower beds. Nothing really seems to work. I suggest adding deer resistant plants
Snapoutofit
on Dec 23, 2015
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milorganite
Mug3248001
on Dec 24, 2015
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I've also heard of using the Irish Spring soap too. Can use both the Dial and the favorite here, the Irish Spring this coming year... Still interested in hearing other suggestions. A fence is out of the question. Not allowed where I live...
Peggy Cox
on Dec 24, 2015
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Actually it's Irish Spring. I lived on top of a mountain years ago and I'm an advid gardener so I needed to find something. I use to cut it up and place it in a knee high sticking and tie it to the shrubs and plants
Naomi Daly
on Dec 26, 2015
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I've tried, hair, miloganite, soap, used kitty litter and nothing stops the deer here in Georgia. And they eat EVERYTHING.
Tamra
on Dec 27, 2015
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nothing works but a fence. if the deer are hungry they will eat even plants they might ignore another time. i figure if i plant something where the deer can get to it it's my fault not the deer.
Doneva Fellows
on Dec 27, 2015
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I have a Family of deer that live here on my five acres with me. I found out after many failures and the loss of many fruits and veggies along with an untold number of flowers a way to have some control over them. For our garden we used fishing line wrapped on pieces of rebar . I used this because it's easy to hammer into the ground and not very noticeable to the deer the idea is the fishing line should touch the deer on face ,neck,or anywhere on body It scares them because they do not see what is touching them.. I had no problems with the deer and a very productive garden. Just put a piece of rebar on each corner of your garden and loop the line from post to post.Also if you have problems with rabbits a line on same posts just above ground level scares rabbits I guess it works the same on them
Diana sellers
on Dec 29, 2015
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I keep a bar of ORIGINAL Irish Spring in my car with a vegetable peeler. Every few weeks (depending on how much rain we've had) I shave off a few soap curls near my roses as I go inside. My deer dine elsewhere. Note: if I fail to renew the soap slivers, my roses get pruned overnight.
Jac
on Dec 31, 2015
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Is more or less a poll question, as to which brand of soap was best for deterring deer. Process of elimination choose the one used the most for same.
Peggy Cox
on Jan 05, 2016
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Irish Spring - Original works for my knockout roses. I just shave a few pieces around the plants with a vegetable peeler. Repeat after a substantial rain or every few days, as needed.
Jac
on Oct 29, 2016
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