Kat,

I waited to see if one of the more experienced posters answered your question. In the absence of other posts I can only relate to you my experience. Living in West Virgina my yard regularly was ravaged by deer. I tried expensive solutions until I received a tip from a friend and Master Gardener that "MILK" is a very effective deterrent. I now spray my plants every week and have not had any damage within the past year. My neighbors are now following suite and only experience damage when they don't maintain their schedule. In short I am a believer based on actual experience.

I don't know if deer will eat the fruit since my fig obsession really kicked off after I learned how effective milk as a deer repellent is.

As a technique I do not spray milk during the heat of the day. I spray either at night or in the early morning. I usually cut the milk by 50% water except for the first application which is 100% milk. On your first application you will probably still have the deer browse your vegetation but at a reduced rate. Over time the deer will change their feeding routine to ignore your yard all together.

I hope this helps.
Vinnie

That is good to know Vinnie,

We have Deer all over the place around here, but so far, they haven't bothered my fig trees!
If they take up eating my fig leafs, I will try the milk treatment..........once......, Then I will go to the old standby
(hint, it makes a big boom when I pull the trigger.;)

A decent bow with about 50# of pull and broad-points does just as good of a job at stocking the freezer, and does not disturb the neighbors even when applied at 0'Dark:30

I enjoy bow hunting but I live in a community that would get very upset if I harvested a deer within our neighborhood. Believe me I have been tempted more than once to reduce the deer with my bow that continually get hit by cars and cause property damage.

You can also buy coyote urine that will work. You hang a small container on the tree and they will stay away!

Kat, get some Dial Herbal Springs bar soap. Cut into chunks and put it in a piece of nylon stocking. Hang in tree. I live in the woods and use it in my fruit trees. The deer don't bother them and it lasts a very long time (6mo to a year) : )

Thanks all, I knew about using urine, but didn't want that on my figs, but milk may be just the answer. I don't have a bow, and in town, might get into trouble using one anyhow. Now if the frosts hold off long enuf to harvest!
Kat