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Re: [GWL]:electric spikes was: Recommending plant sources

In my eternal quest to deter deer, I purchased some of these, dubbed
'The Wireless Deer Fence', from 

http://www.wirelessdeerfence.com/wdf/index.htm

Am not familiar with Woodstream, but assume the same principle
applies to both products.

Before I got my lot, I asked around and another gardener not far from
me had some success with them.

Very nice guy who owns the Wireless Deer Fence company; prompt
response via email.  My observations are, however, that while they
may work for small properties, they don't work on mine.

The theory is that the shock received trains the deer to avoid that
particular area.  While it was clear from hoofprints that some of the
deer got shocked initially, the training that seemed to take place
was avoidance of the spike, not the plants surrounding it.

The initial shocks did protect some daylilies.  However, when placed
among Astilbe, the plants were eaten right around the spike and no
indication that anybody had been shocked...this was in another
location and later in the season.  Same with hardy geraniums...both
of these are favorite foods for my local herd.  

Yes, the scent was replenished as instructed and the batteries
working - tested.

Perhaps it was just my local "smart" deer, but my final analysis is
that they don't do the job for me.  I have several acres of woodland
and a local herd of a dozen or more deer.  As you say, these may work
for smaller properties with fewer deer, who are not as persistent as
my herd.

I have, after a year's work, installed 10' high deer netting fencing
around the salient parts of my property and a pair of chain link
gates on the drive.  Since this was completed (knock on wood) the
deer are outside the fence at last.  With my herd, fencing was the
only answer if I wanted to continue gardening.


Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Jeff Ball <jeffball@starband.net>
> 
> 
(snip)> hungry.  That leaves three tools I think will work in most
home landscape
> situations where you are trying to protect a limited area with
vulnerable
> plants on the property.  The electric spikes just put out by
Woodstream I
> think will work well if they are moved around frequently and if the
> attractant scent is maintained according to instructions.  The
water
(snip)

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