Seed Balls And Predators
The Use Of Natural Repellents
by
Jim Bones

Often up to 80% of broadcast seed is lost to birds, mice and insects before it can germinate. In one field test I conducted on western range land, harvester ants alone collected a quarter pound of grass and wildflower seeds, from one square yard, in less than an hour!

To work well seed balls need to be used in areas that receive at least 10 to 12 inches of annual precipitation, but the timing of the rains is also important. Three to five inches of rain are required to dissolve the seed balls and begin germination. Continued rains are then needed to promote growth and establish viable root systems.

Light rains may only soften the clay and allow predators like birds, mice and ants to tear the seed balls apart and even dig under them for seeds. So it may be necessary to add a natural repellent such as red chili pepper, catnip, pennyroyal or peppermint, to the seed balls to prevent predation. The amount of repellent added will vary with the type, but about 10% by volume of the amount of soil compost should be sufficient.

Dried, powdered chili peppers appear to provide substantial protection across a broad range of predators for the least amount of material used.  If you use red chili, wear gloves and a mask to avoid irritation. You may also need to experiment to find the most effective repellents for your local predators.


All Photographs And Text Copyright (C) 1996 Jim Bones (Unless Otherwise Indicated) Box 101, Tesuque, N.M. 87574 (505-955-0956)
"Light Writings" http://www.seedballs.com
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