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Will Deer Eat Peaches?

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Most people know that deer enjoy eating grass and corn, but it may surprise you to learn that they also enjoy eating a lot of other foods, like fruit. If you have any peach trees on your property, you may need to keep an eye out for deer.

Will deer eat peaches?

Deer will eat peaches as well as other fruit. They enjoy eating peaches straight off the tree or those that they find on the ground. If you have a peach tree in your yard and deer living nearby, there is a good chance at least one deer will eat your peaches.

Deer like to eat peaches and all kinds of fruit because it is a welcome treat to their regular daily diet. Learn more here about deer and their fondness for peaches.

Are Peaches Healthy for Deer?

Peaches are healthy for deer because they contain several beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Peaches are full of nutrients like potassium, vitamin A, niacin, and vitamin E.

Peaches are a great natural food source for deer. They also contain healthy levels of fiber, which can be highly beneficial for digestion, even in deer.

Fruits like peaches are an excellent source of carbohydrates and thus a great source of energy for deer.

peaches on white plate white background

Are Peaches Safe for Deer?

Peaches are safe for deer to eat because they do not contain any toxic properties. While peach pits contain cyanide-forming components, they will not cause any problems for deer in moderate amounts.

A deer, or any mammal for that matter, would have to eat a lot of peach pits at one time to experience any detrimental effects. Peaches, and even their pits, are entirely safe for deer to eat—in moderation, of course.

Will Deer Eat Peaches Off the Tree?

Deer will eat peaches off the tree just as they will eat the ones that fall to the ground. Sometimes, deer may even prefer the peaches still on the tree instead of the riper ones that have fallen.

Do not let it shock you if you see deer eating straight from your peach tree on a nice warm day. If they have not had a peach in a while, it will likely be difficult for them to stay away.

Peaches Fell From Tree garden

How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Peaches

While some people may love the idea of deer eating peaches off their trees, others may not be as thrilled about it.

Fortunately, there are several ways to help deter deer from eating the peaches on your peach tree.

Put up a Fence

One way to keep deer from eating peaches from your tree is to put a fence up around your peach trees.

If fencing in your whole yard is out of the question, consider putting a fence just around each peach tree.

Keep in mind that deer can and will jump, so the fence will need to be high, at least eight feet tall or more. The other option would be a shorter electric fence, which often will do the trick.

Use a Deer Repellant

row of animal repellent in the supermarket

Several commercial deer repellants on the market may help keep deer away from your peaches. You can pour liquid-based deer repellants near your peach trees, just not on them.

The only negative with most commercial deer repellants is that you must replace or reapply them a few times a month and after it rains. Be careful. Some liquid repellants are very smelly and not safe for flowering plants.

One homemade deer repellant involves hanging soap bars in bags around your peach trees. The soap smell repels deer from the area.

Get a Guard Dog

Dog on the garden at the sunset

Typically, most deer are afraid of dogs, so just having one dog in your yard may be all you need to keep deer away from your peach trees.

The dog does not need to be aggressive, only alert and interested in its surroundings.

When deer see a dog in a yard, they usually will not even bother entering the yard, even if an enticing peach tree is inside.

What Other Fruits Do Deer Eat?

Besides peaches, deer also like to eat fruits like pears, apples, cherries, and persimmons. They also enjoy eating grapes, plums, blackberries, and even mulberries.

Deer tend not to eat the same fruits day to day and instead prefer to browse around and eat different foods and fruits each day, depending on what they find.

Deer may try to eat your peaches today, then not return for several days.

woman feeding a deer in the forest

Final Thoughts

Deer enjoy eating all kinds of fruit, including peaches, which means your peach trees may not be safe from them.

Do not fear: There are plenty of ways to protect your peach trees from deer. Remember, you always have the option to share your peach bounty with the deer.

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