Rainfall will dissipate repellents; reapplication may be necessary after rain. Which factor can greatly affect success besides rainfall?

• A. The deer's hunger and the availability of other food
• B. Wind direction
• C. Soil moisture
• D. Temperature

Answer: (A)

Deer feeding motivation drives how well repellents work beyond rainfall effects. If deer are hungry or there aren’t many other food options, they’re more likely to sample treated plants despite the deterrent, which can greatly reduce effectiveness even after reapplication. When there’s ample alternative forage, deer tend to avoid the treated plants, making the repellents appear more successful. Wind direction, soil moisture, and temperature can influence how a repellent is delivered or persits for a short time, but they don’t shape the deer’s decision to feed as strongly as hunger and available forage do.