A repellent to reduce mouse damage to longleaf pine seed

Direct seeding is a potential method for reforestation of pines on many southern sites. The success of direct seeding, however, depends, at least in part, in reducing seed predation by birds and rodents. We conducted a series of tests to assess the efficacy of capsicum and thiram in reducing mouse damage to longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) seeds. House mice (Mus musculus) predation was reduced (P<0.05) by treating seeds with either capsicum or thiram or a mixture of the two ingredients. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) avoided seeds treated with a mixture of capsicum and thiram. We conclude that the capsicum and thiram mixture should be pursued as a potential repellent to protect longleaf pine seeds from animal predation when these seeds are used in direct seeding efforts to establish southern pine forests.