There are a lot of myths out there about what deer do and do not eat. One common question is: do deer eat garlic?
Deer don’t like garlic. Garlic is categorized as fully deer resistant thanks to their strong odor. However, deer will eat anything if they’re hungry enough, including parts of garlic plants.
There’s a bit more to learn about deer eating garlic which we’ll cover in today’s guide. Read on for more info.
Do Deer Eat Garlic?
As we covered, deer don’t like to eat plants that have strong odors, and garlic falls into this category.
Deer will eat the leaves and stems from garlic plants if they’re hungry enough and when they’ve got the chance.
But why do they do this?
Well, for one, deer are browsing animals, meaning they’ll eat almost anything they come across if other food sources are running low.
Your garlic are most susceptible to deer when there are fewer other food choices around for them, and especially when the plants are young and the shoots and leaves are tender.
Is Garlic Deer Resistant?
Yes, garlic is considered fully deer resistant.
Deer are usually turned off by plants that have strong aromas, so the scent of garlic plants does a good job of discouraging deer from having a feast.
That doesn’t mean your garlic plants are totally safe from hungry deer, though.
Your garlic plants are most susceptible to deer damage when they are young and tender or when other food sources in their area have been depleted.
Will Garlic Keep Deer Away?
Yes, garlic is a great natural method to keep deer away from your garden.
You can place garlic bulbs around your vegetables, flowers, and other plants that you want to protect from deer.
The scent of garlic repels deer and will keep your other plants safe.
How Do I Keep Deer From Eating My Garlic?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re protecting garlic from hungry deer: their habits, your scent, repellent options, and when you plant them.
Deer will eat nearly anything if they’re hungry enough, so your main goal is making your garden as least inviting to deer as possible.
Check out our guide on how to keep deer from eating plants where we cover 25 quick and easy tips for keeping hungry deer out of your garden.
Will My Garlic Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
So a hungry deer snuck in your garden and had a feast on your asparagus. Will they grow back?
Garlic is a perennial, meaning that it will grow back year after year.
Even if a deer eats the garlic plant down to the ground, it’ll usually grow back with regular watering and care.
Do Deer Eat Garlic? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat garlic?
No, deer do not like garlic because of the strong scent it gives off, but deer will eat nearly anything if there are no other options available.
Deer are more attracted to young garlic plants because they’re more tender, and have less of an odor, but will usually stay away from mature garlic.
Fortunately there are many methods you can use and combine to keep deer away from your garlic if you need to.
Try a few and see what works best for you.
Have any observations to add to the discussion? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Check our our other helpful wildlife guides while you’re here:
