Steven Walker

The sight of deer peacefully grazing in area pastures is one of beauty. The scene is altogether different when they enter your yard, tearing up tender plants and routing through your lawn looking for nuts and other foods.

And fall is one of the worst times of year for deer on the loose.

"They're a lot more active this time of year," said Steven Walker, customer service manager with Wildlife Solutions. "They're trying to eat as much food as they can to get ready and fatten up for the winter." And, he added, the drive for food and survival makes them lose their timid streak, so they enter boldly where they've never gone before, into gardens, yards and even into homes.

Here are five tips Mr. Walker offers for keeping deer at bay.

1. Build a fence at least 6 feet tall. It will make enough of an obstacle, and if the deer don't have a reason to jump, they won't because the don't want to expend their energy.

2. Remove anything that can be seen as food source, particularly the vegetation of which they are most fond: fruits, vegetables, dogwoods, Fraser firs and azalea. This may be difficult because deer have such diverse diets and are so adaptable.

3. Put gardens out in the open. Deer are secretive animals and don't like to be out in the open if they can help it.

4. Don't waste your money on Deer Stop and other products. Moth balls are one of the biggest myths. "My experience is that none of those products really work," Mr. Walker said. "They won't stop a deer if it really wants to come into your yard."

5. Surround your house with floodlights. Deer shy away from the light.