Hello again.
I had a reply from Paul Curtis at Cornell regarding our "squirrel
epidemic" which I pass along as he sheds more information as to what
is going on. Paul is the Extension Wildlife Specialist in the
Department of Natural Resources at Cornell.
From Paul Curtis:
Hi Kevin
Apparently there is a gray squirrel population eruption underway in
the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain areas, that may have been caused
by an excellent acorn crop last year. Red squirrels probably also
benefited from the acorns last year, and their numbers are likely
high too. I have received recent reports from both the lower Hudson
Valley and Vermont of dead gray squirrels all over the roads. The
acorn crop appears to be very poor and spotty this year (based on
anecdotal reports), likely because of the crazy spring weather and
late freeze. So squirrels could be looking for alternative food
sources, and like deer and voles, squirrels love apples!
Gray squirrel population eruptions are reported in the wildlife
literature, and they seem to cycle every 5-10 years. See the fact
sheet link below from Clemson University. During these population
eruptions, millions of squirrels can make mass migrations. This is
apparently happening now in the Hudson Valley region based on
anecdotal reports.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/wildlife/publications/fs13_gray_squirrel_biology_management.html
As you noted, rodenticides would be illegal for killing squirrels.
Shooting (if this is a rural farm without homes nearby) or trapping
and killing squirrels causing fruit damage are really the only
alternatives. If squirrel numbers are very high, these control
methods may have limited effectiveness. The only good news is that
these squirrel eruptions are short-lived, and the population usually
crashes and is lower for several years after the event.
Best- Paul
From: "Peter J. Jentsch" <p...@cornell.edu>
To: Apple-crop discussion list <apple-crop@virtualorchard.net>
Thread-Topic: [apple-crop] Red Squirrel Feeding Causing Severe Apple losses
along the Southern Champlain and nearby Vermont
Thread-Index: AQHNoxSx2I4fnkUmlUme7KZmLbyTUpeq6RUA
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2012 16:36:53 +0000
Hi Kevin,
The stripping of trees of fruit by squirrels this season has been dramatic.
Here at the lab we've lost a fair amount of research data from grey
squirrel harvesting.
Small farms throughout the Hudson Valley with high edge to apple acreage
blocks have seen huge losses.
The losses early in the spring from freeze of food sources may have some
part to play here?
Peter J. Jentsch
Senior Extension Associate - Entomology
Department of Entomology
Cornell University's Hudson Valley Lab
P.O. Box 727, 3357 Rt. 9W
Highland, NY 12528
Office: 845-691-7151
Cell: 845-417-7465
FAX: 845-691-2719
On 10/5/12 12:10 PM, "Kevin A. Iungerman" <k...@cornell.edu> wrote:
Hello.
I had a report from a NY grower near Whitehall NY, virtually astride
the VT border, that he was being invaded by red squirrels who were
causing significant fruit loss due to feeding. He reports never
having seen such levels previously.
I then had a call from an AP reporter asking about this and other
situations in VT.
Trapping is out of the question, as are rodenticides as fruit is on
the trees presently, customers are in the orchard, and non-target
species would be greatly at risk. For much the same reason, shot guns
and/or squirrel guns have very limited utility.
I am speculating that normal food stocks of these critters has been
negatively effected by drought conditions in June, July, and early
August, and perhaps also, that several mild winters and earlier
springs has allowed greater survival and reproductive numbers.
(I understand that black bears are also seeking alternate food
sources as customary wild foods were severely impaired due to weather
>conditions.)
While such population surges likely cyclically normal, this grower
reports never having seen such squirrel numbers - and damage; warming
climatic conditions are likely amplifying the cyclical potential .
Perhaps others can offer effective control methods and a more
accurate assessment of what may be going on.
Best Regards, Kevin Iungerman
--
Kevin Iungerman, Extension Associate
Cornell University Cooperative Extension's Northeast NY Commercial
Fruit Program
50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 885-8995
FAX: (518) 885-9078
email: k...@cornell.edu
website: NE NY Cold Climate Orchards and Vineyards
http://nenycoldclimateorchardsandvineyards.com
Providing Equal Opportunity Commercial Tree Fruit and Grape Research,
Education and Programming with the Support of the Farmers and Cornell
Cooperative Extension Associations of Albany, Clinton, Essex,
Saratoga, and Washington Counties, and Cornell University's College
of Agriculture and Life Science.
Serving NY's Upper Hudson and Champlain Region - Home to Premium Cold
Hardy Orchard and Vineyard Fruit, Including: McIntosh, Honeycrisp,
and Sweetango Apples, and Marquette and LaCrescent Grapes!
"Suggestions? Comments? Ideas? Possibilities begin with people
sharing ideas and working together."
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--
Kevin Iungerman, Extension Associate
Cornell University Cooperative Extension's Northeast NY Commercial
Fruit Program
50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 885-8995
FAX: (518) 885-9078
email: k...@cornell.edu
website: NE NY Cold Climate Orchards and Vineyards
http://nenycoldclimateorchardsandvineyards.com
Providing Equal Opportunity Commercial Tree Fruit and Grape Research,
Education and Programming with the Support of the Farmers and Cornell
Cooperative Extension Associations of Albany, Clinton, Essex,
Saratoga, and Washington Counties, and Cornell University's College
of Agriculture and Life Science.
Serving NY's Upper Hudson and Champlain Region - Home to Premium Cold
Hardy Orchard and Vineyard Fruit, Including: McIntosh, Honeycrisp,
and Sweetango Apples, and Marquette and LaCrescent Grapes!
"Suggestions? Comments? Ideas? Possibilities begin with people
sharing ideas and working together."
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apple-crop mailing list
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