IPM Methods to Deter Deer From Entering Producer’s Fields
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Photograph: Deer. Photograph by Ken Hammond, USDA Agricultural Research Service.
A particularly challenging category of pests that plague small-scale producers are vertebrate animals, including deer, raccoons, rabbits, possums, groundhogs, voles and birds. Among these, perhaps deer pose the greatest problem for producers. The populations of deer in the ‘urban-rural fringe’, where the majority of small market producers are located, is increasing. Many factors account for this, including subdivision sprawl, wooded buffer ‘sanctuaries’ and less hunting.
Scientists in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University conducted an IPM research project to determine effective measures for deterring deer from entering production fields. They examined both biological and non-biological means of deterring deer from eating small scale farmers’ high value products such as strawberries, sweet corn, and blueberries.
Three farms with high deer pressure and one with low pressure were selected for demonstration sites. Three farms in Bladen, Green and Warren counties were selected in the eastern part of the state due to their high deer populations. A Piedmont demonstration site in Guilford County was located at a 0.75 acre strawberry field at the University Farm. The eastern demonstration sites were on 0.5 acre plots.
Low cost materials were used to construct ten foot high, solar-powered electric fencing at each demonstration location. To further deter the deer, green beans and soybeans were planted on small areas at the entrance of the wooded lots where the animals enter the fields. Based on observations, deer fed on the crops outside the fences. The deer made efforts to enter the fenced plots, but did not force their way in or jump over the fences.
Over 50 farmers had the opportunity to participate in educational demonstrations on the prevention and reduction of wildlife damage to high value produce with electric fencing. They also received information on wildlife control and management.
These farmers learned new techniques on how to make use of low input and affordable materials to construct fencing for wildlife control. As a result of this project, crop yields for participating farmers were higher than in previous years.