| |
Critter
Problems -
Squirrels,
Gophers, Chipmunks, Voles, Rabbits, Bats, Birds, Raccoons, and Snakes
Inevitably gardeners will at some point need to deal with the various critters
that visit our landscapes. The same lakes, parks, trees and wildlife refuges
that enhance urban life come with their own natural inhabitants such as
squirrels, chipmunks, moles, voles and rabbits. Outside of the city, not only do
the gardeners need to deal with the same critters as urban dwellers, but they
are also challenged for control of their landscapes by deer and gophers.
Before embarking on an all-out war against a critter, try to evaluate how much
damage it is really doing. Sometimes the damage is just a passing problem or not
significant enough to warrant taking control steps. There are several strategies
and products that can be useful in dealing with critter problems in the garden.
No matter how you choose to handle these problems, it is important to understand
a bit about the critters' life cycle and habits. That will also help identify
the critter if you didn't actually see it. If you have a persistent
problem with animals damaging your plants you may want to contact the Department
of Natural Resources to see if they can offer any additional information or
help. It also helps to encourage more natural predators.
Tree Squirrels
How They Live: Squirrels spend most of their time in or around
trees. Squirrels are primarily herbivores. Their favorite foods are nuts
(especially acorns, walnuts and buckeyes), seeds and grains. They are infamous
for stealing food from bird feeders. Squirrels frequently bury extra food and
dig it up later when needed.
Plant Damage: Squirrels often dig up plants while looking for
their buried food, they dig and eat freshly planted tulip bulbs (and a few other
minor bulbs), they nip branches off trees (deciduous and evergreen) for nesting
and they may strip off chunks of bark for nests. They can be a serious nuisance
at bird feeders, damaging the feeders trying to chew their way to the feed.
Squirrels occasionally attack garden fruits and vegetables too.
Natural Enemies: Owls and hawks. Also dogs, cats and cars!
Repellents: Effectiveness varies. Try hot pepper oil, garlic
oil or blood meal. You may have heard about using mothballs (naphthalene), but
that is harmful to people, pets and the soil, and not very effective.
Exclusion: Very difficult; sometimes squirrels can be excluded
by using a barrier of fencing, hardware cloth or chicken wire laid on the ground
to keep them from digging. There are some good baffles available for bird
feeders.
Chipmunks and Gophers
Description: Chipmunks (sometimes mistakenly called gophers)
are ground-dwelling relatives of squirrels. They are small and easily identified
by black & white stripes on their backs. Gophers are larger, brown ground
dwellers.
How They Live: Chipmunks dig shallow tunnels in the soil,
especially sandy soils. They consume mostly seeds and nuts but also slugs and
insects and they love sunflower seeds. Gophers are mostly field dwellers, dig
extension burrows and are rarely seen. They eat plants, seeds and insects. There
are lots of chipmunks in areas of the city with sandy soils. Most gophers live
in more rural, prairie areas.
Damage: Chipmunks will eat bulbs, tender root systems and root
vegetables. Their tunneling may also cause damage to woody root systems. Gophers
will eat plant root systems, but usually not garden plants since they are almost
exclusively prairie animals. Both cause damage by their tunneling and mounds.
Natural Enemies: Owls, hawks and snakes. Plus cats and dogs.
Repellents: None is very effective, but options include castor
beans, gopher spurge and whirligigs.
Poisons: Poison peanuts or other pelleted poison baits. Poison
smoke bombs.
Exclusion: Almost impossible.
Voles
Description: Commonly called meadow or field mice, voles look
just like mice but are stockier with a shorter tail.
How They Live: Voles travel in grassy areas creating shallow
tunnels just barely into the soil. They also tunnel around in heavy mulch. They
are omnivorous and eat mostly seeds, but they will eat bulbs and plant roots.
Damage: Tunnels appear as damage in the lawn in spring, but the
lawns usually repair themselves. More damage is done when they gnaw on the bark
of trees and shrubs during the winter when seeds aren't available.
Natural Enemies: Owls, hawks and snakes. Also cats.
Repellents: None
Poisons: Poison pellets or grains are rarely effective.
Trapping: Snap traps like those used for mice can be baited
with peanut butter and oats or nuts.
Exclusion: The voles can't really be excluded but trunks of
trees and shrubs can be protected with wire ‘hardware cloth’. It also helps
to avoid deep mulches and mulches with seeds. Minimize tall grass areas.
Rabbits
How They Live: They live in brushy areas, piles of branches and
at the edges of yards with lots of cover. They use burrows for protection,
especially during the winter. Rabbits are herbivores that will eat almost any
plants, but they do have their favorites such as lettuce, tulips and members of
the rose family.
Damage: Rabbits can do considerable damage eating young plants
in flower and vegetable gardens, but the most significant damage is caused when
they gnaw on the bark of apples, roses, crabapples and other woody plants during
the winter.
Natural Enemies: Owls, hawks, coyotes, wolves and dogs.
Repellents: Animal urines, hot pepper spray, garlic oil, blood
meal, products such as Tree Guard or Ropel.
Exclusion: Fencing and row covers are difficult to use, but can
be effective. Protect tree trunks in winter by wrapping with hardware cloth.
Ways to Deal With Bats
How They Live: Bats either live alone or in colonies and are
strongly nocturnal. Bats eat flying insects, primarily moths, beetles, flies and
mosquitoes, and catch their food while in flight.
Damage: Bats rarely cause any damage other than their droppings
if they roost indoors. It is extremely rare for bats to carry rabies, although
it is possible. Despite common misconceptions, bats go to great lengths to avoid
people and should be considered beneficial, not pests.
Natural Enemies: None
Repellents: None that is very effective or safe; sometimes
naphthalene is used, but is harmful to people and not very effective. We've seen
some success repelling bats with bright lights, lots of moving air or loud
sounds.
Exclusion: The best way to exclude bats is to block openings as
small as 3/8 of an inch. Avoid doing this during summer so you don't trap babies
indoors. For more detailed information on bats, check with the University.
Ways to Deal With Ducks and Geese
Description: In urban areas, problems are usually caused by
Canadian geese and mallard ducks. Canadian geese are very large birds with gray
and white markings and a black band around their necks. Mallard ducks are much
smaller. The female mallards are brown and males are colorfully marked during
most of the season.
How They Live: Both types of fowl spend most of their time in
or near water. Geese are serious grazers and can often be found
"mowing" grassy areas. Some Canadian geese and mallards migrate, but
many stay in our area year round.
Damage: Geese can leave a tremendous amount of manure on lawns,
patios and sidewalks. They have also been known to graze on some ornamental
flowers. Ducks seldom do any damage beyond nesting or dabbling in water features
such as small ponds in yards.
Natural Enemies: Coyotes, wolves and large dogs.
Repellents: There is a repellent that can be sprayed on grass
to break the feeding habits of geese. Both geese and ducks are often frightened
by flapping, reflective materials. Loud sounds may also be effective.
Exclusion: Not practical.
Ways to Deal With Other Birds
Description: Various other types of birds, like woodpeckers,
sapsuckers, and pigeons can cause problems in the garden.
Damage: Several types of birds can damage fruit and vegetable
crops. Woodpeckers and sapsuckers may cause cosmetic damage to the trunks of
trees. Some small birds can be a problem when they nest in hanging baskets.
Natural Predators: Hawks, owls and snakes.
Repellents: Most birds can be repelled by the sight of a large
predator bird. That makes fake owls or predator eye balloons effective. Birds
may also be scared away by flapping, reflective materials.
Exclusion: In small areas, bird netting can be used to keep
them from fruits or vegetables.
Ways to Deal With Raccoons
How They Live: Surprisingly common in urban areas, raccoons
live in hollowed out trees, rock crevices or the dens of other animals. They can
also be found in chimneys and sometimes in city storm sewers. Raccoons are
omnivorous and they especially like grains. Raccoons also enjoy eating corn,
nuts, berries, insects, fruits (specifically melons), fish and eggs. They are
nocturnal and tend to live near water.
Damage: Raccoons can do lots of damage to newly laid sod by
turning it up to look for worms and grubs. They also are infamous for turning
over garbage cans, harvesting your vegetables for you and eating your prize Koi
fish.
Natural Enemies: Wolves, coyotes or other large canines.
Repellents: Animal urine repellents, ammonia, Lysol, commercial
repellents and loud noises.
Exclusion: It is almost impossible to exclude them from plants.
They can be screened out of the house and kept out of garbage cans by using
metal cans with locking lids.
Ways to Deal With Snakes
How They Live: Snakes live primarily in tall grasses and
shrubby areas. On rare occasions, they will be in the water or trees. Snakes
actually help gardeners by eating mice, voles, shrews and slugs. Snakes spend
most of their time hiding in brushy areas, leaf piles and wood piles.
Damage: Other than scaring people, non-poisonous snakes do not
cause any damage.
Natural Enemies: Owls, hawks and man.
Repellents: Repellents are not very effective. Most are
naphthalene based, which is not good for the environment or people. Some people
have had success with owl decoys.
Exclusion: Snakes try to avoid crossing any rough surface. You
can try circling a garden area with rough sisal rope or prickly branches, such
as raspberry canes. Make sure the area is snake free first or you may be
trapping them inside the barrier. Eliminate hiding places.
|
