I'm curious why trapping is out of the question? Rye Hefley So. Cal ------------------------------ On Fri, Oct 5, 2012 9:10 AM PDT Kevin A. Iungerman 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: [email protected] >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." >_______________________________________________ >apple-crop mailing list >[email protected] >http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop _______________________________________________ apple-crop mailing list [email protected] http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
