Q. I am wildlife biologist and a gardener. You should retract your statement about poisoning ground squirrels as the poisoned bodies will appear in the food chain of hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes, and snakes.
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| Ground squirrel taking the nut from almonds by chewing the outer hull and shell |
A.
You are right. Poisoned carcasses of any animal can enter the food chain of
other animals. It is important to make sure that individuals are following all federal,
state, or local laws or ordinances pertaining to the use of a pesticide (whether
it is used to kill weeds, insects, protect plants from diseases or terminate
the life of a critter) and that any pesticide is used as a last resort. Make
sure to read the pesticide label and follow its directions.
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| After ground squirrels are finished harvesting the nuts, they leave behind the hull and husk which can drop to the ground |
Ground squirrels can rob a tree of almonds overnight. One method to avoid this from happening is to harvest the nuts earlier in the calendar year and dry them in a protected location.
There are different ways to eliminate ground squirrels. Pest control companies exist that focus on “humane methods” and market these options for concerned gardeners. I would refer anyone interested to follow the advice given by the University of California regarding controlling ground squirrels (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7438.html). Please remember that trapping and releasing an animal to another area is illegal in most states and potentially cruel. Check with your local laws.
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