I have no deer as I am in the city but have a huge squirrel problem. They usually dig rhizomes up and chew on the rhizome. Some times they will chew the leaves off at that time. Not often do they chew the leaves off a rhizome in the ground. If they do most of it will be left on the ground. I have had them carry rhizomes into a tree and can see it in a crotch.

Mike G

Hello Mike, you are so right,, its probably not squirrel. I was just at the gardening/hardware store up the street, and according to them, it's most likely rabbits. I see them all the time in the Spring around here "twitter painted".

I bought some "liquid fence"...so stinky! Tip from the now experienced stinky girl- never spray liquid fence if there's even a slight breeze. My cat keeps glaring at me.

I am really hoping this helps. When I got home I saw another iris gone. It's heartbreaking. So far I've lost "immortality" and then today "queen dorothy". I have'nt even had a chance to see 'em in bloom yet.

I guess next step is netting, but that won't work in the long run. Cannot afford to do this again.

nice to meet you btw, Allie Grace

Please don't use cayenne pepper in your garden. Animals get it on their paws and rub their eyes getting the pepper in their eyes. This is very painful. Animals have been known to scratch their eyes out because of the pepper.

wvbetsy, I put some cayenne out once that first night I found damage, and it rained right away (thank goodness) so no harm done. I really should have thought it through as to how harsh cayenne might be, thanks for the info.

If rabbits are the problem then think about a wire fence around the garden---my neighbors have done it with success--for rabbits, not deer or gruondhogs!

Also, dogs and cats are helpful. As rabbit deterrents.

yup - but dogs only work if they are outside at night, when rabbits are most active! cats are better deterrents at night. They tend to bring you their "prize" - not pleasant to step outside for the morning paper and find THAT.

the liquid fence worked like a charm! I need to spray some more this weekend.

We have a dog and he does chase the bunnies when we let him out at night, but I always give the "yard" a warning when I let him out since the skunk incident. I'd rather him not actually catch a bunny, I heard the sound of one being
"caught" by our dogs one night years ago before I could stop it, it was horrible and broke my heart.

Blood meal will keep them away. As it is high in nitrogen, you will be fertilizing at the same time.