It’s a jungle out there!

More than 10 inches of rain fell at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in May and June. That’s 20% above average. As a result, area lawns and gardens are lush with vegetation. Hostas are enormous, and some hydrangeas—not just corn—are as high as an elephant’s eye.

This jungle-like environment is good news for homeowners and gardeners, but it’s also good news for Odocoileus virginianus—the white-tailed deer—which love to feast on the same landscaping plants we enjoy looking at, including daylilies, hostas, roses, hydrangeas, daisies and a lot more.

Landscaping plants are expensive, and protecting your investment is a smart financial move, but it also improves the quality of our lives. Gorgeous lawns and gardens enhance our enjoyment of Northeast Ohio’s brief summer. Locally, the best way to protect your landscaping plants is with En Garde Deer Defense, whose proprietary deer deterrent spray actually works.

“Most customers who call us are at their wit’s end,” says company founder Jeff Ardo. “They’ve tried everything—every over-the-counter spray, every homemade concoction on the internet—and nothing works. That’s why we’re so proud of our service. It really works. We are saving people money, reducing their stress and improving their lives.”

Effective and Weather-Resistant

Jeff’s proprietary spray is not available online or in stores. That’s because the ingredients that make it effective cannot be stored on a shelf. “We mix our spray fresh every morning,” Jeff says. “It’s effective, weather-resistant, transparent, and virtually odorless to humans.”

Additionally, this spray is highly weather-resistant. 

Over-the-counter sprays don’t work for a variety of reasons, but one is the fact that the majority aren’t weather-resistant,” Jeff explains. “One light rain and it washes away. But our spray remains on the plant even during a storm. So, we’re not afraid of heavy rain, but we are afraid of the new growth it brings that hasn’t been protected yet.”

Jeff says there has been so much new growth this year that many customers are requesting a treatment every two weeks instead of the typical three weeks.

Knowing which spray to use and how often to apply it are both important, but there is a third component: How to spray.

Training, Training, Training

En Garde’s spray technicians undergo extremely comprehensive training, including an online test in which each tech must identify 90-plus different species of plants and declare whether they are vulnerable to deer. New employees also undergo a four- to six-week, hands-on, in-the-field apprenticeship program with a trained technician before being allowed to work alone. 

You may be tempted to tell your En Garde techs where to spray, but it’s best to let them determine that. “We have a lot of training and years of experience, so we know which strategies work best,” Jeff assures. “We usually recommend spraying all the landscaping along with the perimeter. We spray full coverage on all vulnerable landscaping and put a small amount of spray on the non-vulnerable landscaping for scent. If we make your entire yard unattractive to deer, they simply move on.”

Free Trial

To maximize the enjoyment of your yard this summer, it’s best to get started with En Garde right now. “Once deer develop the habit of dining on your property, it’s harder to get them to stop,” Jeff adds. “We want them to know ASAP that your beautiful landscaping is officially off limits.”

En Garde Deer Defense serves all of Northeast Ohio. To schedule your free trial, call 440-447-0022 or fill out a form online at EGDeerDefense.com.