DEER CONTROL 



Most growers are not seriously bothered by deer. However, Chose orchards 

 where deer become prevalent can receive substantial losses. 



There have been many attempts at controlling deer. Perhaps all the methods 

 tried are satisfactory to a degree but only one is 1007, effective. This exception 

 is too costly except under unique circumstances and consists of fencing the entire 

 orchard area that is being affected. 



Chemical control remains among the most practical methods, and experience by 

 a small number of central Massachusetts growers indicates that Arasan 42S is one 

 of the most practical chemicals. It Is reasonably priced, fairly persistant and 

 non-toxic to the user. 



Deer damage occurs more severely in winter and the Arasan 42S formula appears 

 to do its best job under dormant conditions. 



Two orchards were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the material several 

 winters ago. Both orchards had experienced unusually high deer damage losses 

 every year before the test. The past three seasons have shown that commercial 

 control is possible even under unusual stress. 



Arasan 42S appears to be a taste repellent as deer will come into the orchard 

 and nibble slightly before moving on to unsprayed trees or back into the woods. 



Although the formula has not been worked out perfectly for all conditions, 

 our central Massachusetts growers have been successful with two gallons of Arasan 

 42S, one gallon of Rhoplex AC-33 (sticker Rohm & Haas) in 100 gallons of water. 



Control has lasted for a full season in some cases but it appears two appll" 



cations applied under non-freezing, good drying conditions are safer. Apply the 



first application when damage begins; repeat if necessary when deer again start 

 to feed. 



The application should be thorough and extend from the ground line up to 

 approximately 6 feet, making particularly certain that terminal growth is protected. 



RABBIT REPELLENT 



Nurseries have had considerable success with Arasan 42S as a rabbit repellent 

 and some indications are that it works in orchards. 



Used on dormant trees only, you can mix one quart of Arasan 42S and one pint 

 of Rhoplex together. Apply it to the trunk and lower branches subject to rabbit 

 feeding. 



William R. Goss 



Worcester County Extension Agent 



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