Hot Rosemary Deer Repellent

by Pat Pruss
(La Plata, MD)

Boil eight cups of water
Add 6 large fresh sprigs of rosemary
simmer for 10 minutes
Let cool
Add 1 teaspoon Tabasco seasoning regular
Add 1 teaspon Tabasco Chipotle seasoning

I put this is a 64 oz jar in a cool dry place, filling a separate spray bottle with the Hot Rosemary Deer Repellent and spray affected plants once a week, and after any series of 2+ rainy days.

Note: don't use this on vegetable plants or others you may eat, unless you don't mind if they 'inherit' the hot, spicy attribute of the hot pepper seasoning from the Tabasco.

I tried this for just 2 months, but so far it is working and has not damaged any ornamental plants - I use it on liriope, azalea, roses, hosta, cone flowers, coreopsis, day lilies and rhododendrons - and many others. Successful so far in 2009.

Try this recipe and let us know if it works for you.

I've tried dog hair and commercial preparations. The former has to be replenished too often (and our dog died), the latter is too expensive and not nice to the coyotes who 'donate' the urine.