Seadust wildlife controllant and other techniques to protect forest plantations

Abstract

We briefly review some of the materials and methods used for reducing wildlife damage to forest crops. Many of these have also been used to protect Christmas trees, ornamentals, and other agricultural crops. Few chemicals have been effective as repellents, and few are exempted from registration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Wildlife Services Company, Inc (WSC) recently patented Seadust Wildlife Controllant®. Seadust is a natural organic nonphytotoxic product formulated from food materials, including freshly processed seafoods which are rapidly dried to low moisture content. Seadust has been exempted as a pesticide by EPA because of the non-hazardous materials used in the formulation. It has multiple uses, including protecting plants during growing and dormant seasons. It has been tested and found effective on a wide variety of forest, ornamental, agricultural, and garden crops, acting primarily as a taste and odor repellent, but without objectionable odor or handling properties. Seadust contains available nutrients for enhancing plant growth, including nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, but is not harmful to aquatic environments. When Seadust is used for forest seedlings, bundled trees can be treated prior to planting, or treated after planting. Seadust has been applied in nursery beds to enhance the value of bud caps on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). New conifer growth is protected when the active ingredient is transported upward as seedlings elongate. New untreated foliage on broadleaf plants may require re-treatment. Seadust Tape™ can be applied as a visual signal to reduce browsing and rubbing damage. Vexar® type plastic mesh tubes are treated with Seadust to prevent elk from pulling tubes and bamboo supports. Seadust contains a dry adhesive formulation which requires foliage to be wetted with water. When applied during the dormant season, or when applied to waxy foliage, such as western redcedar (Thuja plicata), a non-phytotoxic spreader-sticker should be applied to foliage just prior to application of Seadust. Some of our research on protecting plants from deer and elk during the growing season is reported here.

Citation

Campbell, Dan L.; Campbell, Brooke K.; Campbell, Clinton L. 2007. Seadust wildlife controllant and other techniques to protect forest plantations. In: Riley, L.E.; Dumroese, R.K.; Landis, T.D. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations - 2006. Proceedings RMRS-P-50. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 77-82