How Deer Damage Impacts Property Value and Curb Appeal

You’ve invested time, money, and care into creating a beautiful landscape — from selecting and planting ornamental shrubs and garden beds to maintaining your lawn with organic products and services. But when deer wander through your property, that investment is at risk. One night of feeding can undo months (or years) of growth, leaving behind eaten plants, stripped bark, and damaged trees that take seasons to recover.

Deer may seem harmless at first glance, but their feeding habits can have a serious impact on your property’s appearance, health, and even its long-term value.

How Deer Damage Your Landscape

Deer can cause damage throughout the year, not just during the colder months. In spring and summer, they feed on tender new growth, flowers, and vegetable gardens, often stripping plants before they have a chance to bloom. During these warmer months, deer activity can leave behind uneven hedges, missing blossoms, and damaged young plants that struggle to recover.

But deer are opportunistic feeders, and the problem only intensifies in fall and winter. When natural food sources become scarce, they turn to residential landscapes for nourishment. Evergreen shrubs, arborvitaes, fruit trees, and ornamentals are some of their favorite meals — but when food is limited, they’ll eat almost anything for sustenance.

Common signs of deer damage include:

Torn or jagged leaves and stems — deer lack upper front teeth, so they rip vegetation rather than cutting it cleanly.
Stripped bark on young trees and shrubs, which can lead to disease or dieback.
Shrubs with a distinct horizontal line of missing foliage, where deer have eaten everything within their reach.
Missing buds and flowers, especially in early spring when plants are trying to recover.
Trampled garden beds and pathways as deer move through, looking for food.

While the damage might appear minor at first, repeated feeding weakens plants, alters growth patterns, and can permanently change the look and health of your landscape.

The Cost of Deer Damage

Deer damage can significantly reduce your property’s curb appeal and lead to ongoing expenses that add up quickly. Beyond the immediate frustration of chewed plants and bare shrubs, repeated browsing can set off a costly cycle of replacement and repair that affects both the look and value of your home.

Landscaping repairs can cost thousands: Nationwide, deer-related property damage is estimated to exceed $2 billion annually, with more than $250 million of that tied specifically to residential landscapes. Homeowners can easily spend thousands each season replacing plants that deer destroy and often end up replanting the same areas year after year as deer return to feed.
Curb appeal suffers: A well-maintained landscape is one of the first things people notice about a home. When shrubs are stripped, flowers disappear, or bark damage leaves trees looking unhealthy, even a meticulously cared-for property can appear neglected. This loss of visual appeal can impact how visitors and potential buyers perceive your home.
Long-term property value decreases: A healthy, mature landscape enhances property value and contributes to a sense of prestige. Studies show that well-designed landscaping can increase home value by up to 15%. When deer continually destroy it, the property’s appeal and its market value decline.

Why Prevention Is the Smarter Investment

Once deer establish your yard as a reliable food source, they’ll keep coming back. That’s why prevention is key. Rather than spending money each year to replace damaged plants, investing in professional deer repellent treatments helps protect your landscape before damage occurs.

At Pure Solutions, our all-natural deer repellent creates a protective barrier that conditions deer to stay away from treated areas. The repellent works by targeting their keen sense of smell, deterring them without harming plants, pets, or the environment. Regular treatments throughout the year, especially during peak feeding seasons, ensure continuous protection and lasting results.

An added benefit: deer can carry ticks onto your property. Using repellents not only protects your landscape but also helps reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, keeping your family and pets safer year-round.

Your landscape is an extension of your home and your lifestyle. Don’t let deer damage undo what you’ve built. With proactive, all-natural deer control, you can maintain your property’s curb appeal and protect its value season after season.

Contact Pure Solutions today to learn how our all-natural deer repellent can keep your landscape healthy and protected.

Sources:

How wildlife affects property value. CatchIt. (2025b, August 15). https://www.catchitwildlifeillinois.com/how-wildlife-affects-property-value

Niemiera, A. (2023, November 6). The effect of landscape plants on perceived home value. VCE Publications | Virginia Tech. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-087/426-087.html

Steil, A. (2024, March 19). How can I prevent deer browsing during the winter months?. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-can-i-prevent-deer-browsing-during-winter-months#:~:text=Answer:,trees%20and%20other%20garden%20plants.