If you have ever driven through idyllic rural settings where rustic cottages are nestled in the woods with plenty of flowers in bloom and a lush, green vegetable garden in the back, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to see some deer. In fact, you might hope for the chance to see a flash as a buck leaps away or the serene gaze of a doe. This picture is both inviting and naïve. While deer are beautiful, they also represent a source of significant damage for rural homeowners. There are many reasons to keep deer at an appropriate distance from the home and yard. In many cases, the most effective way to do this is with deer fences, such as these from Deer Busters.

Landscaping and Gardens

One of the primary reasons that people work to keep deer out of the yard is that these gentle, majestic animals eat the plants in the garden, strip expensive shrubs, and trample the plants that homeowners spend hours nurturing. At the very least, this leads to a ruined landscape. In many cases, it sends the homeowners’ yard care costs soaring. For families who hope to preserve and eat the produce that comes from the family garden, the feasting deer might represent the loss of food in upcoming months.

Prevent Lyme Disease

Another very important reason to add deer fences around the outer edges of property is to protect the family and pets from the ticks, fleas, and other disease-carrying vermin that hitch rides on wildlife. The deer tick is particularly dangerous as it is a source of Lyme disease. Signs of this devastating illness may not appear for years, but the effects will be felt for a lifetime. The initial reaction could be as simple as a rash. Eventually, nausea, fever, chills, aching muscles, and fatigue set in. If the disease isn’t caught and treated, it could lead to severe health problems and cardiac disorders.

Road Hazards

The average deer weighs between 100 and 300 pounds. They tend to travel in groups and are typically active in the morning and evening. Does may have young deer with them. This means that a lot of landscaping can be destroyed in a short amount of time, but safety (for humans, pets, and the deer) is a much bigger problem. As wild animals become accustomed to moving about near houses and in neighborhoods, they are more likely to make their way onto roads. In the evening, when twisting, turning country roads provide limited visibility, there may be mere seconds to react when deer are on the road.

Aggression Toward People and Pets

Although deer aggression is not the most common problem, it is a growing problem. Aggression increases as deer spend more time around people or when they feel threatened by humans. There are cases where people or pets have been attacked and killed by deer. These heavy animals often have sharp hooves and bucks may have powerful antlers. From a distance, the animals are graceful and serene. In the yard, however, they become a serious problem.

Deer fences are a simple, non-violent way to protect landscaping, people, and the deer from the dangers of close encounters. An attractive fence will impede the direction of these wild animals and redirect them away from homes and gardens.