While the Capital Regional District’s deer advisory group continues to evaluate possible deer strategies, Oak Bay is considering the use of a deer repellant in a local park.
Oak Bay parks is currently monitoring the amount of deer munching on roses at Windsor Park and may start using a deer repellant, known as Bobbex, in the rose garden.
“We’re monitoring things right now and, if need be, we will use a product,” said Chris Hyde-Lay, Oak Bay’s manager of parks services. “But as of right now, we have not used any.”
Hyde-Lay noted that there have been problems with deer in the rose garden in the past, but right now the situation seems “pretty good.”
If and when Oak Bay parks decides to apply the repellant in the rose garden, as little as possible would be used, he said.
Bobbex makes plants less appealing to deer by adding a protein taste and odor to them – it’s made of ingredients such as meat meal, fish oil, eggs and garlic.
It’s most effective on new growth and each application lasts about eight weeks, Hyde-Lay said.
A deer management strategy report from the citizen’s advisory group (CAG) to the CRD’s planning, transportation, and protective services committee is expected in August. A final report to the CRD board is expected in September.
For more information about the CAG go to crd.bc.ca/deermanagement.
