| Four tree squirrel species are commonly identified as
living in Missouri and surrounding areas: the fox
squirrel, Sciurus niger, the gray squirrel, Sciurus
carolinensis, the red squirrel, Tamiasciurus
hudsonicus, and the southern flying squirrel,
Glaucomys volans. Flying squirrels are seldom seen
because they are primarily nocturnal animals. While
red squirrels often are sighted in rural areas, the gray
squirrel is the animal that is seen commonly in
urban and suburban settings; in fact, the gray
squirrel is the only tree squirrel many people ever
observe in a natural setting. Squirrels usually live in
wooded areas, often in close contact with humans.
They ordinarily have two nests—one in a tree cavity
and another in a fork of a tree. Young may be born
and reared in either nest, but the cavity appears to
be preferred, and nests in tree forks must be thought
of as relatively temporary. Squirrels typically raise
two litters of young each year, one in early spring
and one in summer. Squirrels eat a wide variety of
foods, which often brings them into conflict with
gardeners. Their preferred foods in fall and winter
are fruits and nuts. Hickory nuts are perhaps their
favorite food, but they also depend heavily on
acorns and osage orange fruits. Such foods often are
stored for later use—in tree cavities or buried
shallowly in the ground. In fact, squirrels probably
are important members of the natural community in
that they help propagate acorn- or nut-bearing trees
by "forgetting" where they bury things. They prefer
buds and twig tips in late winter and early spring. In
summer, they eat fruits, berries, corn, mushrooms,
and many other succulent plant materials. It is in
this season that their depredations are most
damaging and irksome to gardeners. Of less
frequency, home invasion—into attics or other
spaces in buildings—can be a problem. Finally, they
are notorious raiders of bird feeders, where they are
constant visitors, and where they often intimidate
visiting birds.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Observation usually is the only certain way to
identify damage by squirrels. Missing or partiallyeaten
bulbs and the remains of young plants often
are the only signs of squirrel visits. Squirrels will
also uproot small transplants and dig in flower pots.
They appear to be especially attracted to corn in
vegetable gardens, but also will damage tomatoes,
preferring fruits which are beginning to ripen and
often eating only a few bites before discarding a fruit
and proceeding to find another. Their presence as
unwanted guests in homes or other buildings
normally is made known by audible rustlings
and scratching.
Integrated Pest Management Strategies
Unfortunately, very little can be done to control
squirrels, especially in areas where oak and nut trees
provide a fairly predictable source of food.
1. Remove the squirrels. Squirrels can be trapped
using live traps baited with fruits and nutmeats. If
traps are used, animals should be released at a
location at least 5 miles away. Check any traps at
least twice a day so that any squirrels caught can
be released immediately, and so that other animals
such as birds can be released immediately. It is
inhumane to allow an animal to remain in a trap
without food or water for any length of time. Keep
in mind, however, that other squirrels will move
into the area in the absence of competitors.
2. Alter the environment. There is little to be done
to exclude squirrels from gardens, because they
can overcome all but the most complete
enclosure. Placing such materials as hardware
cloth on the surface of beds may deter bulb
destruction, but such measures are far from
certain and completely interfere with aesthetic
considerations. Bird feeders should be placed far
enough away from overhanging branches or
structures to discourage squirrels from dropping
onto feeders from above. Baffles can be placed
around feeder posts. Many other devices of more
or less efficiency are offered for sale by businesses
dealing in bird feeding supplies. To keep squirrels
from attics, seal the openings they use for entry
and exit. If the animals are a persistent problem, a
professional exterminator may be required to
solve the problem.
3. Repel the squirrels. A number of formulations,
available under several trade names, are sold to
repel squirrels. Nearly all of them include some
version of capsaicin, the chemical that lends
"heat" to peppers. They all wash off in
precipitation, so they must be reapplied as long
as their repellent effect is desired. All repellents
share one characteristic in common: they work
for some gardeners in some circumstances, but
are not 100 percent effective in all circumstances.
When using chemicals, read labels carefully and
follow directions completely.
Special note. Squirrels are managed and
protected as game animals. Speak with local
authorities or game officials before undertaking
control measures involving trapping. |
