Landscaping Protection Plan

The animals were here first & we know you love to see them around.  Why else would you have moved to the Pocono Lake Region?

However, there are few things more frustrating than having a beautifully  landscaped property filled with flowering shrubs, herbs and perennials destroyed by local wildlife.

The deer in the Pocono Lake Region are bold and will aggressively defoliate even those "deer resistant" plants that everyone raves about online.

Have you thought about a Landscaping Protection Plan from Apple Creek?

Deer damage to dogwood shrubs (Red Osier)Deer browsing damage to Red Twig Osier (Dogwood) shrubs.

Facts:

  • Nothing, with the exception of concrete, is deer-proof.
  • Deer will eat almost anything if they are hungry enough.
  • Animals grow accustomed to repellents over time.
  • Damage is not caused by deer alone.


The Ninebark shrub pictured below was 6 feet tall and healthy in October.  After a winter with significant snowfall that did not melt for a month, we found this shredded crown of the Ninebark in early March. 

This shrub and a group of nearby thorny barberries were destroyed by deer that couldn't find much else to eat because the ground remained snow covered for an extended period.

Deer destroyed Ninebark shrub

What other animals destroy landscaping?

Any hungry animal may nibble on your plants.  During very snowy winters all the local critters will eat things they normally ignore.  It is a matter of survival.

Who is doing the damage?  It could be any number of animals from really small mice and chipmunks, to mid-sized porcupines, rabbits and beavers, to quite large deer and black bear.

Many varieties of the wildlife that call the Poconos home will browse on tree bark and the cambium layer under the bark during the winter.

Spring brings out the soft buds and here come the hungry squirrels and grouse.  Something even digs up your tulip bulbs.

Summer fills your yard with deer and rabbits and your sad Rhododendrons are stripped of foliage again!

Summer fills your yard with deer and rabbits and your sad Rhododendrons are stripped of foliage again!Wildlife browsing damage to Rhododendron shrub.

Fall arrives and you start to wonder what did these animals eat before they discovered your yard.  How did they live without the mums and morning glories on your porch?

Not all damage is caused by animals.  It is amazing the amount of havoc slugs and snails can cause to daylilies over just a couple of nights!

Our Solution?

After much experimentation with spray on repellents and years of trials with dozens of devices purported to drive away the deer we have a solution. 

Apple Creek has devised a system of rotation between taste, smell and fear repellents to protect your expensive landscaping, while not harming the wildlife.

Regular inspections of the landscaping are performed.  The Apple Creek crew will inspect and prune damage, monitor moisture levels and apply animal and insect repellents as needed.

Regular rotation of the liquid or solid repellent type (taste, scent or fear based) and the repositioning of devices that deter animals with sound and light can greatly reduce or eliminate the amount of damage.

How does a Landscaping Protection Plan work?

Each property is unique, with its own challenges.  An initial inspection is performed, then we devise a plan of action. 

The plan for your property will be based on several factors.  Including the size of your yard, amount of animal sign present, amount and type of ornamental landscaping that needs protection and other factors.

Apple Creek will provide property owners' with a proposal outlining the plan, planned frequency of visits, type of deterrents to be used and cost.

DeerDoes he look hungry to you?

Liquid repellents are applied at regular intervals.  Solid deterrents are installed and replaced as needed.

Most electronic devices can be solar or battery powered.  In some cases we might decide to plug a device in to one of your exterior outlets.

There are several types of physical devices.  Most deter deer and other animals by scaring them.  Sound devices can emit sounds both audible and inaudible to humans.  The light emitted may be visible or on the infrared wavelengths.

The light or sound emitted when an animal comes near startles or annoys them and they move away.  These work best when they are repositioned and interchanged often so that deer and other critters don't get accustomed to them.

Note:  This approach works best when there are no additional  artificial food sources in the area you want protected.  Feeding deer, birds and squirrels, even occasionally, teaches them that your property is a good place to go to browse for a meal. 

Wasp-proof Hummingbird feeders are the exception.  They do not attract other forms of wildlife.



If you are interested a Landscaping Protection Plan give Apple Creek Landscaping a call, email or fill out a contact form to set up a convenient inspection appointment.