Peafowl:

Peafowl are not native to California and were originally imported from India in the 1940's by the Los Angeles County Arboretum. As residential areas were formed, peafowl learned how to adapt to people.

Peafowl are ground feeding birds with very strong legs. Their diets consist mostly of insects. During breeding season (summer) males will grow ornamental feathers and display themselves to females. A male is most comfortable living with a harem of two to five females.

Peafowl can be a nuisance as they can be noisy and messy. They can devour newly planted flowerbeds, soil lawns, driveways and destroy rooftops.

How to Manage Peafowl:
" Avoid keeping compost on your yard
" Keep animal food indoors
" The use of sprinklers or hoses can scare them off the property
" Landscape your yard with plants peafowl do not like

Plants Peafowl Do Not Like

Acacia
Agapanthus
Azalea
Birds of Paradise
Bougainvillea
Cactus
Camellia
Chrysanthemum
Ferns
Oleander
Painted Daisy
Pink Lady
Poinsettia
Roses
Snap Dragons
Fuchsia
Gardenia
Gladioli
Hibiscus
Ivy
Jade
Lavender
Marigold

Deer:

Named for their large ears, the Mule deer is the most common type of deer in our foothills. Mule deer are herbivores. In spring and summer they feed on green leaves, herbs, weeds and grasses. In fall and winter they typically feed on twigs, various shoots and woody plants. They are especially fond of berries, grapes, mushrooms, and alfalfa.

Deer are seasonal breeders, usually having one to four fawns in late spring or early summer. Does (female deer) will quite often leave their young in pastures as they go out and forage. Leave the fawn alone! Doe's are usually in the area and will aggressively attack. They may also reject their young if it smells like humans.

In the wild deer live on average 10-16 years. Natural predators include mountain lions, bobcats, bears and coyotes. Their biggest enemy is humans (destruction of habitat, automobiles, hunting and dogs).

How to deter deer:

• Provide deer safe fencing around your yard. Fencing should be at least 8 feet tall, consisting of solid wood or openings no larger than 4 inches wide. The top surface should be flat (deer can become stuck in fences or impale themselves on top of fences).
• Stiff plastic netting can be used to cover individual trees and bushes
• Make your lawn "deer proof" by planting landscape deer do not like
• Use of motion detected lights and scarecrows can scare deer off
• Noise such as aluminum pie pans and tin cans rattling in the wind can scare them off
• Hang bars of soap, crushed garlic or human or dog hair in stockings from trees. Deer are very sensitive to smell
• Deer repellent formula: Blend 4 eggs, 2oz. of red pepper sauce and 2 oz. chopped garlic with enough water to make 1 quart. Spray plants with repellent.