Coating Douglas-fir and western hemlock seeds with R-55, a rodent repellent, seriously reduced normal germination. Acidifying the latex sticker, or adding graphite powder, had no effect. If seeds were coated first with latex, more R-55 could be applied without significantly increasing germination losses. Both stratification and dry storage of R-55 coated seeds increased germination losses. Treatment differences detected by normal germination percentages were also reflected in germination values. Observations based on total (normal + abnormal) germination obscured the effects of the various coatings.