This time of year brings about an almost universal source of extreme stress to those living in the suburbs of northeast Ohio: Deer. (OK, deep breath everyone!)
Due to declining habitat area for these suburban deer, they have been forced to change and adapt in ways that most likely not pleasing to them and definitely not pleasing to homeowners. Plants, shrubs and trees that deer used to turn up their noses at have now become their Spam® (they may not like it, but it’s the only thing left in the cupboard so they’re going to eat it).
There are several Deer Repellents on the market that are effective in deterring deer and we’ll be highlighting a few of them here over the next few days. To start out, let’s look at Milorganite.
Milorganite is one of the world’s largest recycling efforts and while it is marketed as a fertilizer it is an excellent Deer Repellent. It will not say so on the bag, though because it is not registered as a “pesticide.”
To use: broadcast at 5 pounds per 100 square feet. Re-apply every two weeks or as needed. It can also be put in sachets and hung from landscape plants.
“I have used this product for years and the results have been astounding,” says Jamie Haas, Manager of The Rock Pile. “Before using Milorganite, my hostas, Asiatic lilies, coneflower, delphinium, roses and day lilies were all at the deer’s mercy.”
Milorganite
What is Milorganite?
Milorganite fertilizer is one of the oldest branded fertilizers on the market today. It is derived from heat-dried microbes that have digested the organic material in wastewater. Milorganite is manufactured by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. The District captures wastewater from the metropolitan Milwaukee area, including local industries such as MillersCoors. This water is then treated with microbes to digest nutrients that are found in it. Cleaned water is then returned to Lake Michigan. The resulting microbes are then dried, becoming Milorganite fertilizers. The Milorganite program is one of the world’s largest recycling efforts.
How Do We Make It?
Wastewater enters the Jones Island water reclamation facility, where all solid materials such as sand, boards, shop rags, etc. are removed. Microbes are added to the leftover water during the activation process, which serves the same purpose as adding yeast to bread. Oxygen is pumped in to create an ideal environment and the microbes digest the nutrients in the water.
When all the nutrients have been consumed, the microbes die. Agents are then added to begin clumping the microbes together. This process of settling and coagulating takes place in quiet sedimentation tanks.
After settling, the clumped microbes are removed and sent to the Dewatering and Drying building where moisture is removed using belt presses. This produces a semi-solid form similar to wet cardboard that is subsequently dried in twelve rotary driers at temperatures ranging from 900⁰ – 1200⁰F. Any surviving pathogens are killed from the extreme hot temperatures.
The product is sampled thoroughly in our testing process, including over 20 tests per day, which guarantees Milorganite complies with standards for protecting human health and the environment. It is then ready to be packaged for homeowners, landscapers and golf course superintendents throughout North America.
~ from Milorganite.com
How to Use Milorganite
To use: broadcast at 5 pounds per 100 square feet. Re-apply every two weeks or as needed. It can also be put in sachets and hung from landscape plants.
