Learn How to Manage Critters in the Garden at Free Belfast Garden Club Program November 21

A USDA wildlife specialist will share advice on the problem of pesky critters in gardens at a free Belfast Garden Club program Tuesday, November 21.

In “Managing Wildlife Pests in the Garden,” Robin Dyer, state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, will discuss ways to identify the hungry interlopers in flower and vegetable beds and recommend methods to prevent their intrusion.

The one-hour program, free to the public, will be presented at noon in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street. Those who wish to join from home may attend via Zoom. For more information and to register for the Zoom link, visit belfastgardenclub.org.

What is munching your flower blooms and digging up your vegetables? That’s the first question, and it’s not always clear, says Dyer.

“Although some animals are active during the day, others are active at night making it difficult to determine which species is causing damage,” she says.

In her talk, Dyer will review signs such as tracks, scat, fruit and vegetation damage that narrow down the species responsible for the damage and then cover various solutions. In Maine, deer, woodchucks and small rodents are often the culprits.

Dyer, a certified wildlife biologist, has been with USDA Wildlife Services since 1996.  In her current position, she leads a team of wildlife specialists and biologists who work throughout Maine providing technical and direct assistance to resolve wildlife conflicts.

Founded in 1928, the Belfast Garden Club promotes the knowledge and love of gardening, the protection of native flora and fauna, and the importance of civic beautification.