Purdue University - Extension - Forestry and Natural Resources
Got Nature? Blog
Question: Is it recommended to feed birds during the summer? Could this effect migration?
Answer: Continuing to feed birds in the spring and summer comes down to personal preference and is not a problem for birds. Many things drive migration including daylength. The only difference is some foods (e.g., suet) can become rancid. Even bird seed (especially wet seed) can spoil quicker. You can fix this by changing out your food regularly, or by not filling the feeders as full so that birds empty the feeder more quickly.
Resources:
The Basics of Bird Migration: How, Why and Where, Cornell Lab
Feeding Birds, Cornell Lab
Bird Feeding Tips, Audubon.org
More Resources:
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for Birds to Life, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Breeding Bird Atlas, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
IN DNR Shares How to Keep Your Backyard Birds Healthy, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Question: Is there any risk of becoming infected with avian influenza virus by feeding backyard birds?, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Forest Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
The Birders’ Dozen, Profile: Baltimore Oriole, Indiana Woodland Steward
Ask An Expert, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Birds and Residential Window Strikes: Tips for Prevention, The Education Store
No Room at the Inn: Suburban Backyards and Migratory Birds, Education Store
Putting a Little Wildlife in Your Backyard This Spring, The Education Store
Subscribe, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Dr. Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist & Certified Wildlife Biologist
Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University
MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: Do you have bats roosting on your property? Help DNR by counting how many bats fly out during a few evenings this summer. Monitoring bats as they emerge from roosts helps us manage the reproductive health of bats across the state.
The Summer Bat Roost Monitoring Project uses volunteers to collect information on the distribution, occupancy and abundance of bat colonies throughout Indiana.
Image credit: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Participants must have bats roosting on their property or permission to enter property where a roost occurs. Possible roost sites include trees, bat houses, barns, attics, outbuildings and other structures. On each night of surveying, volunteers count the bats that exit the roost and record weather information. Each survey takes about an hour and is conducted on eight to 12 nights from mid-May to mid-July.
Newsletter can be found online May: DNR: Communications: MyDNR Email Newsletter (in.gov)
For more information please visit Summer Bat Roost Monitoring Project.
To sign up for the project, visit the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s volunteer page and select “Find an ongoing service project.” Wildlife Diversity staff also monitor bats using mobile acoustic surveys and acoustic monitoring stations.
Resources:
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE) Highlights: Bats, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Bats in the Belfry, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Ask An Expert: Bats on the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE), Video, Purdue Extension – FNR Facebook
Bats in Indiana, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Bat Houses, Bat Conservation International
Creating a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan for Landowners, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE): Indiana Forestry and Wildlife, The Education Store
Unexpected Plants and Animals of Indiana: Indiana Bats, Purdue College of Agriculture News
Selecting a Nuisance Wildlife Control Professional, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
FAQs – How can I get rid of nuisance wildlife (bats, deer, racoons, etc.)?
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish & Wildlife
Explore the dual nature of goldenrods in conservation plantings. While goldenrods like tall and Canada goldenrod benefit pollinators and wildlife, their aggressive growth can outcompete other plants, reducing diversity. This guide offers insights into managing goldenrods to maintain a balanced and thriving ecosystem. It is essential reading for land managers and conservationists committed to maintaining a diverse grassland ecosystem.
Check out the Managing Conservation Plantings series which include details on how to control invasive species and other problematic plants in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plantings and native warm-season grass and wildflower conservation plantings.
Plant Facts
- Herbaceous broadleaf, typically 3-5 feet tall (can range from 1 to 7 feet)
- Perennial warm-season forb
- Growing period: April to October
- Flowering: late July through October
- Reproduction: by seed and rhizome
Whether you’re managing a pasture, wildlife area, or prairie restoration, this resource provides science-based strategies to control goldenrod effectively. Learn more about managing goldenrod species in grasslands and wildlife habitats, enhancing your land’s ecological health by reading the full publication: Managing Conservation Plantings: Goldenrod Control, (330kb, pdf).
This publication is part of a seven publication series The Managing Conservation Plantings Series. Publications in this series include:
- Golden Rod Control
- Thinning Native Warm-Season Grasses
- Sericea Lespedeza Control
- Woody Encroachment and Woody Invasives
- Johnson Grass Control
- Reed Canarygrass Control
- Teasel Control (Common and Cut Leaved)
- Controlling Introduced Cool-season Grasses
- Crownvetch, Sweetclover and Birdsfoot Trefoil Control
Resources:
Deer Impact Toolbox & Grassland Management, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
Pond and Wildlife Management, Purdue Extension
Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour and Pocket Guide, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Frost Seeding to Establish Wildlife Food Plots and Native Grass and Forb Plantings – Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Wildlife Habitat Hint: Tips for Evaluating a First Year Native Grass and Forb Plantings, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Drone Seeding Native Grasses and Forbs: Project Overview & Drone Setup, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Ask an Expert: Wildlife Food Plots, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 1, Field Dressing, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest, The Education Store
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube channel
Nature of Teaching Unit 1: Animal Diversity and Tracking, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching, Purdue College of Agriculture
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
Subscribe Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Hoosier Ag Today: White-tailed deer are very important to Indiana woodlands. But in many areas of the state, deer populations have grown far beyond what the land can support.
Trail cameras monitor deer impact on woodlands. Integrated Deer Management Project, Purdue University photo.
“Through their browsing and what they eat, they can actually reduce plant diversity and limit the growth of some of our tree seedlings, such as Oak, which are both economically and ecologically important,” says Jarred Brooke, Purdue Extension Wildlife Specialist.
“They can actually cause issues with increases in the invasive species that they don’t eat, like Japanese stilt grass or garlic mustard,” he says.
For woodland owners across Indiana who might not be sure if deer are even a problem on their property, how can they better understand and measure deer impacts?
“I think the first step is being aware and being tuned in to the problems that deer can cause,” he says. “Fortunately, with the help of The Nature Conservancy here in Indiana, we at Purdue Extension created a series of publications and videos called the Deer Impact Toolbox, which are designed to help landowners really understand, monitor, and address the impacts that deer have in their woodlands. These resources are a great starting point for any landowner that is interested in learning more about deer impacts.”
He adds that the best way to manage those impacts from deer are hunting, habitat management, and plant protection.
“Through the reduction of the number of deer by harvesting does on your property, that can be an effective way to reduce their impact,” he says. “Also if you can improve the habitat for deer on your property, either through forest improvement or through a timber harvest, you can actually create more food on the landscape, which reduces overall dear impact.
“The last big way is through protecting the plants that you’re trying to keep deer from browsing. That can be fencing, tree plantations, putting tree tubes or tree shelters on young trees, or fencing sensitive areas from deer browsing,” he says.
Read the Deer Toolbox Publications: Deer Impact Toolbox.
View the original article and listen to the Hoosier Ag Today’s radio News in the Hoosier Ag Today April 2025: Managing the Impact of White-tailed Deer on Indiana Woodlands.
Resources:
Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
Ask an Expert: Wildlife Food Plots, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
A Woodland Management Moment – Deer Fencing, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Video
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, The Education Store
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 1, Field Dressing, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Deer Harvest Data Collection, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
Handling Harvested Deer Ask an Expert? video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources YouTube Channel, Wildlife Playlist
Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
I seem to be finding Kirtland’s snakes as I am cleaning my gardens. There seems to be an increase of grubs, beetles and worms, but I have not seen the small lizards yet. We have an abundance of chipmunks. Is there something I can do to discourage the snakes from taking up residency in my yard?
Many people have questions about snakes, and this post addresses the two most common – what is it and what can I do? The answer to the latter is, in part, related to the first, so I’ll address that one first. Indiana is home to a diversity of snake species. Identifying snakes to species can be tricky. First, geographic location often can easily differentiate among similar species or subspecies. Check the distribution map of the species in question and that of similar species. This may not resolve all issues since the distribution of similar species often overlap, distribution maps are not 100 percent accurate (i.e., they are a “best guess”) and some species and subspecies share similar characteristics where their ranges overlap. Second, scale configuration and appearance differs among some groups of species. For snakes, the texture of the body scales (keeled or smooth) or the presence/absence of a divided anal plate (the large scale that covers the cloacal opening) are key. Finally, physical characteristics including size, color and pattern can be used. For some species, conclusive identification is easier with the specimen in hand, although handling venomous species (which are rare in Indiana) is not recommended. With practice, one can become quite adept at identifying all of them.
DeKay’s Brownsnake – This species is a small chestnut to dark brown snake averaging 25-30 centimeters in length. The belly is cream to pink. It has two rows of dark spots along the back that fade toward the tail. Dark bars may connect the dorsal spots, giving the impression of a ladder-like pattern. The area within this pattern is usually lighter in color than the sides, often giving the impression of a central stripe.
Kirtland’s snakes referenced in the homeowner’s question are endangered in Indiana. They are generally found near or along the margins of water bodies, but they can also be found in some urban areas on occasion. Due to these facts and since Kirtland’s snakes are generally quite secretive in behavior, this homeowner’s garden visitors are likely another species. Common garden visitors in Indiana include DeKay’s Brown snake (pictured above) or Eastern Gartersnake. Red-bellied Snakes (pictured below) have a pinkish-red belly similar to Kirtland’s snake. They are more of a woodland species, but it could be a possibility. All of these snakes can eat slugs and other garden pests.
Is there something homeowners can do to discourage snakes from taking up residency in their yards and around their homes? There really is no foolproof method to discourage snakes from utilizing a property. Reducing mulch layer thickness; removing brush piles, rock piles or other refuse; and keeping vegetation low are all steps that may help. Keep in mind that this may also reduce use of your property by wildlife you desire. There have been some repellents developed for snakes, but research results on their effectiveness have been mixed at best. In general, you should be wary of repellents that promise to keep animals out of an area. Lastly, there is plastic mesh fencing that you can purchase. Fencing can be used to exclude animals from small areas – it is generally cost-prohibitive for larger areas, and I am not aware of studies that test the effectiveness of fencing for snakes. Snake fencing is generally designed to exclude larger venomous snakes as opposed to the typical garden species that can be quite small. Snakes can also get stuck and die in mesh fences when their head fits through but the body gets stuck. The scales “catch” the mesh when the snake attempts to back out. Mesh fencing is also susceptible to damage from trimmers and falling limbs, and rabbits and rodents can chew holes in it. Thus, regular inspection and maintenance is required to maintain its function.
The Red-bellied Snake (18-25 cm) has both a brown and gray color phase. The two black lines along the length of its back may appear similar to the dark spots along the back of the DeKay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi), but lack the crossbars. The belly has a distinctive bright pink or red coloration for which the species was named. Three light blotches may be visible behind the head on the neck.
Remember, while many folks are afraid of snakes or don’t want them around, the vast majority of species are harmless and can actually help homeowners by preying upon animals that actually are a nuisance and cause damage. Before taking any action, consider their benefits to you and how your actions affect other wildlife that call your yard home.
Resources
Snakes and Lizards of Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Snakes of the Central and Northeastern United States, The Education Store
Snakes of Indiana, The Education Store
Indiana Amphibian and Reptile ID Package (4 softcover books), The Education Store
Reptiles: Turtles, Snakes, and Lizards, Purdue Nature of Teaching Website
Ask An Expert, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube channel
A Moment in the Wild: Eastern Hognose, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
A Moment in the Wild: Eastern Kingsnake, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
A Moment in the Wild: Racer, Purdue Extension – FNR Video
Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Figure 1. A rain garden in downtown Lafayette captures runoff from nearby roads and sidewalks, slowing and filtering water before it enters the stormwater system. Credit: Amy Thompson, Purdue University.
Purdue Landscape Report: Rainscaping is the practice of designing landscapes to capture, absorb, and use rainwater where it falls. Rather than sending water off-site through storm drains, the water slows down, spreads across the landscape, and soaks into the soil.
In Indiana, spring often brings intense rain events that can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, soils, and rivers. Rainscaping offers a different approach. Instead of treating rainwater as something to get rid of, it becomes a valuable resource that benefits both the landscape and the environment.
Why Rainscaping Matters
Across the Midwest, rainfall is becoming less predictable, with more intense storms delivering large amounts of water in a short period of time. Many landscapes are not designed to absorb this volume quickly. Compacted soils, large areas of turf, and paved surfaces all contribute to rapid runoff of soil, nutrients, and pollutants into nearby waterways.
With rainscaping, the goal is to keep water on-site and allow it to infiltrate slowly (Fig. 1). As the water moves through the soil, it not only irrigates the landscape, but it’s filtered, which reduces runoff, improves water quality, and eases the burden on stormwater systems.
How Rainscaping Works
The principle of rainscaping is simple: slow water down and give it time to soak in. This can be achieved in a variety of ways depending on the site conditions. The right approach depends on how water moves through your landscape.
Figure 2. Water infiltrates into a rain garden in Bloomington following an intense rain event, demonstrating how these systems manage excess runoff from the nearby parking lot. Credit: Amy Thompson, Purdue University.
Figure 3. A bioswale outside Purdue’s Horticulture building captures and directs runoff from downspouts before entering the stormwater system. Credit: John Orick, Purdue University.
The most common method for slowing runoff is with a rain garden, which is a shallow depression planted with species that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions (Fig. 2). The rain garden holds water after a storm and allows it to infiltrate within a day or two. Species that tolerate “wet feet” are planted in the bottom of the basin while drought tolerant species are planted at the top of the slope.
Other landscapes may be better suited for bioswales, particularly sloped areas where water naturally flows across the site (Fig. 3). Bioswales are shallow channels that slow and direct water, allowing it to infiltrate as it moves. As runoff passes through the soil and plant roots, sediment and pollutants are filtered out.
Figure 4. Rain gardens can be designed to manage water effectively while adding visual interest to the landscape. Credit: Karen Mitchell, Purdue University.
Getting Started with Rainscaping
Rainscaping does not require a complete redesign of the landscape, and the first step is simple observation. Spring is an ideal time to evaluate your site, especially during intense rain events. Observe how rainwater moves off hard surfaces, out of downspouts, across the landscape, and into storm drains. These observations will often point directly to areas for improvement and potential locations for rainscaping.
Avoid placing rain gardens in areas that remain saturated for several days after a storm, as this indicates a slow infiltration rate. Instead, focus on capturing water “upstream,” where it can soak in before reaching problem areas.
Once potential locations are identified, further site evaluation is needed. Estimate the amount of runoff entering the area and perform a simple infiltration test to determine the appropriate size and depth needed to handle larger rain events.
Plant species that tolerate both wet and dry conditions are essential, as these areas regularly cycle between extremes. Many plants native to Indiana are well adapted to these conditions, including purple coneflower, Joe-Pye weed, and prairie dropseed. By selecting species with varying heights, textures, and bloom times, these gardens can be both functional and visually appealing (Fig. 4).
Rainscaping is a practical approach to managing water in the landscape. By slowing runoff and encouraging infiltration, it reduces common problems while supporting healthier landscapes and more resilient ecosystems.
To learn more, the Purdue Rainscaping Education Program provides training and resources on planning, installation, and maintenance of rain gardens.
View the original article on the Purdue Landscape Report website: Rainscaping: Turning Water Problems into Sustainable Solutions.
Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.
Resources:
Rainscaping Education Program, Purdue University
Ask an Expert: Rainscaping, Got Nature? Post, Purdue Extension
Q&A About Drainage Water Recycling for the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Rainscaping Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Ask an Expert: Rainscaping, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Rain Gardens Go with the Flow, Indiana Yard and Garden, Purdue Horticulture
Become a Purdue Master Gardener, The Education Store
Master Gardeners Program
Plan Today For Tomorrow’s Flood, The Education Store
Karen Mitchell, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist
Purdue Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Congratulations to Liz Jackson, FNR Extension Specialist, on receiving the 2025 Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA) President’s Award. This award is given for exceptional contribution to the forest products industry and to members of IHL. We are proud to celebrate her achievements along with seeing her featured in the April 2025 edition of the Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) newsletter.
Liz presenting an award plaque at a Walnut Council national conference.
Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR) Newsletter: Liz has worked as an Extension specialist associated with three forestry organizations since March 2004. Liz obtained her BS in forest products (’82) from Purdue’s Forestry & Natural Resources Department and MS in business management (’84) from Krannert School of Business under a special forestry/business master’s program.
Before coming to Purdue Extension, Liz spent 15 years in wood products manufacturing as a plant manager at Aristokraft cabinets (now MasterBrand) and purchasing and inventory control manager at Lafayette Venetian Blind.
Liz’s Extension role is to provide programs and products on sustainable forest management and forest stewardship to address woodland owners’ concerns and needs. While representing the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, she works on behalf of three organizations.
The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) is a research partnership between Purdue FNR and the USDA Forest Service focusing on management, protection and improvement of fine hardwood species. For the HTIRC she coordinates annual meetings, research conferences and educational programs.
Liz presents on forest management to a group of schoolchildren at Martell Forest.
For the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) and National Walnut Council, she represents the interests of the members and manages all business of the associations, including board meetings, annual conferences and education programs, membership and finances, and communications, including newsletters, websites and social media.
Liz is involved in many partnerships around the state, including as a member of the Extension Invasive Species Working Group, on the editorial board for Indiana Woodland Steward newsletter, member of NRCS state technical committee, and advisory partner with Indiana DNR Division of Forestry Forest Stewardship Committee, Sentinel Landscapes, and Let the Sun Shine In Indiana programs.
A highlight of her career was traveling to Washington, D.C., in 2005 to see Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana and representatives from HTIRC and Indiana forestry plant an Indiana walnut tree on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Ten years later she returned to the site and was thrilled to find the tree and see it was thriving.
Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
Observing Seasonal Changes in Nature Webinar with Amanda Wanless, IFWOA YouTube Channel
Magnificent Trees of Indiana Webinar with Author Carroll Ritter, IFWOA YouTube Channel
Ask the FNR Expert: Pests in your Woods, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension
Join Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee in this episode of “A Woodland Management Moment” as he explores the unique ecosystem of bottomlands. These flat, moisture-rich environments are home to a diverse array of species, shrubs, and trees. Watch the video to discover the key features and characteristics of these fascinating sites.
If you have any questions regarding trees, forests, wildlife, wood products, or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.
Resources:
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
The Nature of Oaks Webinar, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners Video Series, Playlist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Indiana Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources
While the weather may tell you otherwise, spring is upon us. With the changing weather comes greening grass, breaking buds and sprouting plants. This plethora of fresh growth can help cure the winter blues, but it also provides wildlife with a desirable food source. Recently you may have noticed deer and other wildlife’s increased utilization of winter wheat fields and other green areas like lawns – early spring is the time you see deer in Indiana feed extensively on grass.
For homeowners, this is the time you need to scout around your home for emerging plants in your landscaping beds. Plants that are frequently browsed by deer such as tulips or hostas need special attention, but the limited amount of green plant material can leave any plant as a potential target. Most homeowners choose a type of taste repellent to protect plants. There are several tips on how to increase the efficacy of this approach.
- Timing: It helps to have some foresight into when damage is likely to occur and/or the plant developmental stage(s). Unfortunately, this is usually based on past experience. Ideally, you want to time applications during these periods. With tulips, for example, applying repellents early during sprouting, later during sprouting and during flower bud development will prevent damage during most years.
- Type of repellent: There are many types of taste repellents labeled for deer and other wildlife species. Most have a combination of capsaicin, putrefied egg solids and/or fatty acids of ammonium soaps. There are, of course, others with different ingredients. So which do you choose? There have been many studies that have investigated the efficacy of repellents. The bottom line – they work, but control is not 100%.
- Label: Failures can often result when not following the directions on the label. The label also provides safety information and what you can/can’t spray. Read and follow the label – it’s the law.
- Expectations: You aren’t going to solve all of your wildlife problems by spraying a few plants or even everything. If you use repellents, reapply according to label directions (every three to four weeks is usually a good rule of thumb). To increase success, you may use them as part of an integrated approach that includes exclusion, cultural practices and other approaches.
Resources
Diagnosing and Controlling Wildlife Damage, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s rescource center
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit?, The Education Store
Wildlife Conflicts, Purdue University
New Tool for Helping Landowners to Help Declining Birds, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Birds and Salamander Research, Purdue Extension – FNR
Developing a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching, Purdue Extension
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources Youtube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana, Purdue Extension – FNR
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
ReportINvasive, Purdue College of Agriculture – Entomology
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
District Forester, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 10+ acres
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue Landscape Report: These oak trees are showing the symptoms of smooth patch ( see below Figures 1, 2, 3). This condition is the result of a fungal infection that is restricted to the outer bark, causing it to slough off. The bark layer remaining is smoother and lighter in color than uninfected, normal bark.
Patches can vary from a few inches to a foot or more in diameter and may occur on branches as well as the trunk. Several fungi can cause this condition. A common species, Aleurodiscus oakesii, produces clusters of flat, disc-like spore-bearing structures on the surface of the smooth bark. These structures are gray or beige in color and are usually less than 1⁄2 inch in diameter (Figure 4).
The best time to see this interesting phenomenon in the forest is during wet periods in late winter before new spring growth begins, when the light gray bark stands out in the light penetrating the canopy. The fungal structures shrink when dry so will be more apparent following rainy weather.
The fungal structures may be mistaken for wood decay fungi, but because smooth patch fungi invade only the nonliving, outer bark tissues, they do not affect the health of the tree. No control measures are needed.
The fungal structures may be mistaken for wood decay fungi, but because smooth patch fungi invade only the nonliving, outer bark tissues, they do not affect the health of the tree. No control measures are needed.
Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
District Forester, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, for over 10 acres of woodlands
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
The Nature of Oaks Webinar, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel
Tom Creswell, Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory Director
Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology
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