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We compared the effectiveness of dolomitic lime, activated charcoal, Nutra-lite (a silica-based compound), and white quartz sand as feeding repellents for brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). In 4 day, two-choice aviary tests with cowbirds, consumption of treated millet (1–4% g g−1) was less than consumption of untreated millet for all particulates except Nutra-lite at 1% g g−1. Greatest reductions in consumption occurred with lime-treated millet, followed by charcoal, Nutra-lite, and sand. Overall mean daily consumption of treated millet by cowbirds in one-choice tests was similar to total consumption of millet in comparable two-choice tests for each particulate. However, millet treated with 4% lime reduced cowbird consumption for 1 day. Similarly, in 4 day, two-choice field tests involving free-ranging deer, deer consumed less corn treated (4% g g−1) with lime or charcoal than corn treated with Nutra-lite or sand. Corn treated with sand did not reduce consumption by deer relative to untreated corn. Lime applied to turf in 10 m × 21 m enclosures at an application rate of 270 kg ha−1 did not suppress grazing by geese. Nutra-lite applied to turf at the manufacturer-recommended rate of 2568 kg ha−1 reduced overall goose presence on treated plots in enclosures for 3 days but suppressed goose grazing for 1 day only. We conclude that lime is more effective overall as a white-tailed deer and brown-headed cowbird feeding repellent than is charcoal, Nutra-lite, or sand. Lime has considerable potential as a feeding repellent in agricultural and possibly turf situations. Charcoal could be used effectively in situations where lime is impractical. |
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