Oh Deer! Tips for Living with White-Tailed Deer in Columbia
If you live in Columbia, chances are high that you’ve spotted more than one white-tailed deer. It’s no secret that sharing the environment with an overabundant deer population creates challenges, from damage to our natural resources to public safety.
CA is currently installing signage that discourages the community from feeding deer in open space. In addition, we’re planning to coordinate with Howard County for future deer population monitoring and management.
There are also a number of things you can do to support CA’s efforts to manage this population.
Use physical barriers in your yard
Young trees are particularly vulnerable to browsing and “buck rub,” where male deer rub their antlers against the bark.
- Tree guards: Install plastic or metal guards around the trunks of young trees.
- Physical fences: A sturdy, high fence (at least eight feet tall) will keep deer out of your garden. Both wood and chain link fences can both be effective – just make sure they’re strong and sturdy enough to resist damage from deer and the elements. Also, keep the fence well-maintained with no gaps.
- Deer shelters:
Another way to amplify your efforts? Collaborate with your neighbors to install larger fencing projects that protect multiple properties.
Choose “deer resistant” plants
While starving deer will eat almost anything, some plant species are more resilient and less appealing to deer. Opting for plants that are less likely to be grazed by deer is a great preventative measure.
Always choose native plants over non-native ornamentals for biodiversity and reduced maintenance. Check out these resources on “deer resistant” plants:
- Deer-Resistant Plants – Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Ornamentals and Deer: Realities and Landscape Plant Options – The Pennsylvania State University
- Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping – Maryland DNR
Don’t feed the deer
One of the most important things you can do is resist the urge to feed deer. According to the Maryland DNR, feeding deer, even during the winter, can actually be worse for them than having limited natural food resources. It can alter their natural behavior and cause a number of detrimental effects.
Why these strategies are important
At CA, we understand the significance of implementing a combination of these methods to be as effective as possible in protecting plants and trees in open space. Without mitigation, deer overpopulation can lead to the following impacts:
- Disrupted Ecosystem – Over-browsing by deer alters the ecosystem in a number of ways. Deer can damage new tree saplings, eat flowers that pollinators rely on, contribute to habitat loss that affects all parts of the food web, etc.
- Increased Spread of Non-Native Invasives – When deer eat native foliage, it decreases the native plant population – which makes it easier for invasive species to thrive and take over. In addition, deer can act as a vector for spreading invasive plants.
- Damage to Yards and Gardens – As native plant populations in natural areas decrease, deer seek food elsewhere. Deer sneak into our yards at night to graze on foliage from trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.
- Public Health and Safety Concerns – Deer also transport ticks that carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other diseases that can have serious symptoms. Certain diseases are able to spread rapidly due to high deer populations, which can cause erratic behavior that make deer more likely to cause car collisions. Click here to learn more about diseases observed in white-tailed deer from the Maryland DNR.
Join community efforts
CA is always looking for volunteers to help mitigate the impact of deer in our community and by extension, your garden.
By joining CA’s Weed Warrior program, you can learn all about the best practices for removing invasive species and helping native species flourish. This is important work that helps restore the ecosystem and detour deer from your garden.
CA’s Adopt-A-Spot program also gives certified Weed Warriors access to plots within the community to manage and restore native habitats.
Learn more about volunteering with CA here.
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