Dealing With The Incidence Of Birds, Squirrels And Other Rodents Eating up Maize Seeds After Planting.

One of the very first challenges you might face on your farm (depending on location of farm) is the incidence of birds, squirrels and other rodents eating up your maize seeds after planting. 

These birds do not only like the maize grain, they also like eating the corn sprouts or newly planted seed, which will create more mess to your farm. Same thing applies to rodent pests.

So what do you do?

Firstly, over time, my approach is to plant treated seeds like the hybrid seeds from reputable brands and plant deep into the soil, but this is not so effective against their attack. It also reduces the rate of emergence of the seedlings .

Another very effective method that I employ is to use poisoned maize grains. This is achieved by buying inferior seeds from the market, asides the seed you want to plant, soak the inferior maize in snipper or any DDVP product for 3-5 hours, then mix it with rat poison. These poisoned grains are allowed to pre-germinate afterwhich they would be dispersed/sprinkled on the farm.

The sprinkling should be done the day you plant your maize or a day after planting your main maize seed. This method has proven very effective.

Note: Make sure you pre-germinate the inferior seeds because, the aforementioned pests love the corn that way; soft, succulent and nutritious. Na sweet sweet thing dey kill person.

Planted maize on one and a half a plot of land and squirrels finished everything. On that day, I hanged my farming boots.

FAQs 

1. Why are birds, squirrels, and rodents eating maize seeds after planting?

- Birds, squirrels, and rodents eat maize seeds because they see them as food.

2. How can I protect my maize seeds from birds, squirrels, and rodents?

- You can protect maize seeds by covering them with nets, using scare tactics like scarecrows, or applying repellents.

3. What are scarecrows, and how do they help?

- Scarecrows are figures placed in fields to scare away birds and rodents that might eat maize seeds.

4. Are there natural repellents I can use to deter birds and rodents?

- Yes, natural repellents like chili pepper powder or garlic spray can be effective in keeping birds and rodents away from maize seeds.

5. Should I cover my maize seeds with something to protect them?

- Yes, covering maize seeds with nets or using plastic sheets can prevent birds and rodents from accessing them.

6. How do I apply repellents to protect maize seeds?

- You can spray or sprinkle repellents around the planted area or mix them with the soil to deter birds and rodents.

7. What can I do if birds and rodents continue to eat my maize seeds despite preventive measures?

- If preventive measures fail, you may need to replant seeds and reinforce protective methods.

8. Are there professional services that can help with pest control in maize fields?

- Yes, agricultural services or pest control experts can provide advice and services to protect maize seeds from pests.

9. Can planting maize seeds in a different location help prevent pests?

- Yes, choosing a location with fewer pests or using raised beds can reduce the risk of pests eating maize seeds.

10. How can I monitor for pests eating maize seeds regularly?

- Regularly check maize fields for signs of damage, such as missing seeds or tracks from birds and rodents, to take timely action.