Wildlife such as rodents, rabbits, birds, deer, raccoons, and crayfish were reported to cause damage to Ohio landscape plants in 1996. The control measures for each of the specific wildlife vary.
However, the principles of wildlife damage prevention and control are similar. They include physical exclusion, live trapping, relocation of wildlife, alteration of habitats, shooting, and use of chemical and physical deterrents.
Prevention and control of wildlife damage are an increasingly important part of the wildlife management profession because of expanding human populations and intensified land-use. As more people move into previously agricultural areas, people and wildlife merge. People need to learn to deal with wildlife so that they may pre-vent or minimize damages to fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and lawns. It is important to be aware of ways to handle wildlife problems as they relate to different geographic areas.
This report is a compilation of the noteworthy wildlife problems discussed during the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL) conferences that occurred on Tuesdays, from April to October in 1996.
Meadow mice were observed to leave extensive trails in northern Ohio lawns in the week of February 8, 1996. However, overall injury to turf appeared minimal in 1996.
When food is in short supply over winter, rabbits will feed on the bark and stems of numerous trees and shrubs. Damage noted the spring of 1996 included injury on viburnum, winged euonymus, crabapple, rose, and other plants. Where feeding injury is noted, remove girdled stems, cutting back to a bud below the injury. If bark has been gnawed off main trunks, wait to see what the damage may be to the top. Additional pruning can be done once the shoots have leafed out and dead stems become evident.
Prevention is the best defense against rabbit damage. Modify their habitat by removing dense vegetation, brush piles, and weed patches. Also, attempt to exclude them from their favorite plants or plantings. In early winter, enclose vulnerable plants with one-inch mesh chicken wire fencing, two feet in height, either buried three inches into the ground, or staked to the ground.
House finches were observed nipping off one- to three-inch tips of Taxus plants in northeastern Ohio in the week of April 18, 1996, using some for their nests but leaving some litter as well. Squirrels often have been blamed for nipping off tips of spruce and hemlock. Rarely have birds been connected with this kind of damage.
A homeowner was having trouble with nesting starlings in her patio area in the week of April 18, 1996. The long-term solution for this kind of problem is to alter the structure to prevent birds from nesting. When the nesting surface is a ledge, this may be accomplished by placing a metal cover or board over the ledge at a 45-degree angle (or greater). Make sure the ends are closed to prevent entry. Another method is to use "porcupine wires" that stick out and prevent birds from landing. Porcupine wires can be purchased from Nixalite of America (309-797-8771) or Shaw Steeple Jacks Inc. (814-266-8008). Some of the short-term solutions include a sticky repellent, scaring devices, or distress calls.
Deer were reported to cause severe damage to apples and hostas in a home landscape in the week of April 18, 1996. Deer are very adaptable and are becoming a common problem in urban home landscapes.
Deer damage control measures include selection of "deer resistant" plants, herd management, repellents, and fencing. Published lists of "deer resistant" plants are available; however, it is difficult to know how reliable observations are since local conditions vary.
Deer herd management can be achieved with relocation of live animals and shooting/hunting - a difficult sell in urban areas. Deer repellents include "Deer-Away," "Hinder," "Thiram," "Miller's Hot Sauce Animal Repellent," "Tankage," "Ropel," hair bags, and bar soap. However, read the labels of commercial repellents to make sure target plants are listed. Many repellents are not labeled for food crops. Permanent, high-tensile electric fencing will provide year-round protection from deer damage. Refer to Wisconsin Extension Fact Sheet G3083, "Controlling Deer Damage in Wisconsin," for more information or contact Wisconsin Extension Publications at 608-262-3346.
Several homeowners have reported damage to their landscape amelanchiers from raccoons, who had climbed up to pick a little ripe fruit in the week of July 4, 1996. In both cases, major branches were broken on the plant. This sort of damage is so random that controlling the animal is unnecessary, unless it becomes pesky in other ways.
Crayfish and mowers clashed in southwestern Ohio the week of April 25, 1996. The burrowing crustaceans were making their mud "chimneys" in many lawns and wreaking havoc on mower blades. Some chimneys were over four inches in height.
Crayfish control can be challenging. Home-owners should be reminded that these are aquatic creatures, and their burrows extend down to water. Pouring insecticides in crayfish holes is not recommended and is against the law as there are no insecticides labeled for this use.
The University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology, offers several helpful treatments in one of their "EntFacts" titled, "Crayfish Control in Lawns." The publication indicates that the treatments are suggested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA.
For example, one treatment is as follows: "Dissolve one pound of chloride of lime in three gallons of water. Application can be made with compressed air sprayers or a watering can with the sprayer nozzle removed. One or two ounces of liquid should be applied into each crayfish burrow and the opening of the burrow closed by pressing the earth together with the foot. The chloride of lime will kill the crayfish within a few hours."
Make check payable to University of Nebraska. Mail to:
Wildlife Handbook
202 Natural Resources Hall
University of Nebraska
P.O. Box 830819
Lincoln, NE 68583-0819
Wildlife District One
1500 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-644-3925
Wildlife District Two
952 Lima Ave., Box A
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: 419-424-5000
Wildlife District Three
912 Portage Lakes Drive
Akron, OH 44319
Phone: 330-644-2293
Wildlife District Four
360 E. State Street
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 614-594-2211
Wildlife District Five
1076 Springfield Pk, Box 576
Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: 513-372-9261
In Sandusky
Phone: 419-625-8062