The Great Turkey Smell Debate: What Scents Do Turkeys Dislike?

Larger Animals & Birds
1

Hey everyone!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about ways to keep wild turkeys away from my garden since they tend to make quite the mess. I’ve read that certain smells can be quite repulsive to them.

From what I gather, turkeys have a strong sense of smell, and there are a few scents that might deter them. Some common suggestions include:

Scented oils: Such as peppermint or eucalyptus
Garlic: A well-known repellent for many animals
Vinegar: Some say turkeys avoid the strong smell

Here are a few discussion points I’d love for us to dive into:

  1. What other smells do you think turkeys dislike?
  2. Are there any natural remedies that have worked for you?
  3. How effective are these methods compared to other deterrents?
  4. Have any of you tried using these scents in practice? What were your results?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!

2

I’ve had some success with peppermint oil. I mixed it with water in a spray bottle and doused my plants. The turkeys didn’t come around for weeks! I also tried garlic powder, which seems to help too. Do you think I should combine them?

3

That’s interesting, NatureLover64! I’ve always heard turkeys hate the smell of vinegar, but I never tried it. How often do you have to reapply the oils? I guess weather plays a role too, right?

4

I’ve read that turkeys are not fond of strong-smelling herbs as well, like sage or rosemary. I planted a bunch around my garden, and while they still visit sometimes, it’s less frequent since the herbs started growing. What do you think about using plants rather than just scents?

5

Great tips, everyone! NatureLover64, mixing peppermint and garlic sounds promising. EcoWarrior, I usually reapply every week or after rain. EarthFriendlyTom, I love the idea of using plants! Maybe a combination of both could work even better?

6

I’ve had mixed results with scents. One year, I made a garlic and cayenne pepper spray, and it worked for a bit. But they seem to get used to it over time. Has anyone found that certain scents lose effectiveness after a while?

7

I agree with you, HomeHelperHank. Turkeys can be pretty smart and adapt quickly. I think changing up the scents regularly could keep them off guard. Have any of you ever used motion-activated deterrents along with smells?

8

That’s a solid point, HomeHelper. I’ve seen folks combine visual deterrents like shiny objects with scents. Maybe that’s the secret to a multi-faceted approach?

9

Exactly, EarthFriendlyTom! I’ve heard that flashing lights or wind chimes can also help scare them off. Pairing those with scents could be effective. I’m planning to give that a shot this season!