If you’ve noticed more deer wandering through your yard lately, you’re not alone. Every fall, homeowners across New Jersey start to see fresh bite marks on arborvitae, missing buds on holly, and ragged edges on rhododendron leaves. It can feel frustrating to spend all year nurturing a healthy landscape, only to watch it turn into a buffet when food gets scarce in the woods.
This time of year, deer are focused on survival. As temperatures drop and natural food sources fade, they begin to browse more aggressively. What starts as occasional feeding can quickly turn into regular visits. Once deer discover a reliable source of greenery, they return night after night, often causing more damage than most people realize.
Why Deer Feeding Increases in Late Fall
In spring and summer, deer have plenty of options. Tender grasses, native plants, and field growth are easy to find. By late fall, that changes. Leaves have fallen, herbaceous plants have died back, and acorns are long gone. To build energy reserves for the winter, deer turn to the next best thing: your evergreens and woody ornamentals.
Arborvitae, holly, rhododendron, and yew are some of the first plants they target because they stay green and hold moisture through the cold months. Unfortunately, repeated browsing strips foliage and exposes inner branches, leaving plants weakened and unattractive by the time spring arrives.
The Real Cost of Deer Damage
Deer feeding isn’t just about lost leaves. It can lead to long-term problems like stunted growth, uneven shape, and winter burn. Newly planted trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable because their bark and buds are still tender. Once damaged, it can take multiple growing seasons for them to recover, if they recover at all.
How Aspen Protects Your Landscape
Aspen Tree and Turf uses professional deer deterrents that work by taste and scent, not harm. These treatments create a natural barrier that discourages deer from feeding while keeping your property safe for people, pets, and pollinators.
Our products are:
- Safe for families, pets, and the environment
- Non-toxic to deer, since they simply don’t like the flavor or odor
- Weather-resistant for lasting protection
We offer both traditional and organic treatment options, depending on your preference and property needs. Our standard service uses professional-grade repellents designed for maximum effectiveness, while our organic option provides a plant-based alternative that many homeowners appreciate for its gentler formulation. Organic products naturally break down faster from rain, sunlight, and other elements, so they may need to be reapplied more often to maintain full protection.
Because all deer repellents gradually wear down over time, consistent applications are key to keeping your landscape protected. Regular treatments help reinforce that protective barrier and ensure deer don’t return once they’ve learned to avoid your property.
Stay Ahead of the Season
Late fall is one of the most important times to protect your plants. Once deer start feeding, it’s hard to break the habit, but a consistent treatment plan can make all the difference. At Aspen Tree and Turf, our licensed applicators create a seasonal program tailored to your property, plant types, and local deer activity.
Regular applications help maintain a strong protective barrier through changing weather and keep deer from returning once they’ve learned to avoid your yard. With a set schedule in place, you don’t have to worry about missing a treatment or timing applications around the weather—we take care of that for you.
If you’re beginning to see signs of deer browsing, now is the time to act. Protect your evergreens and ornamentals before the damage worsens. Schedule your deer control treatment with Aspen Tree and Turf today and keep your landscape looking its best through winter and into spring.