*2.2.5 Squirrels and chipmunks*

Squirrels of family Sciuridae, are members in order Rodentia of the family Sciuridae that include small or medium-size rodents (**Figure 20**). The squirrel family *Avoid Sharing of Strawberries with Birds, Rodents and Other Vertebrate Pests DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104682*

**Figure 20.** *Squirrel.*

mainly includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks and flying squirrels plus others. Squirrels typically have slender bodies with long very bushy tails and large eyes, and generally their fur is soft and silky. In most squirrel species, the hind limbs are longer than the fore limbs, while all species have either four or five toes on each paw. Squirrels are occasionally considered pests because of their propensity to chew on various edible and inedible objects, and cause economic losses to homeowners, nut growers and forest managers. One factor all of those squirrels have in common is their desire to devour fresh berries from strawberry plants. Tree squirrels can live on trees; however, they frequently select orchard beds as their favorite dwelling for exploration of diet. Strawberries appeal to these pests as the fruits start to develop. The squirrels attack to orchard, robbing the berries earlier to growers have a chance to reap them [37, 38].

Squirrels are excellent climbers and can reach the plants via telephone or electrical wires, or jumping from tree branches. Both ground (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) and tree squirrels (Western gray squirrel *Sciurus griseus* and Eastern fox squirrel *Sciurus niger*) enjoy foraging on the ground for vegetables and fruits. Ground squirrels primarily eat vegetable plants in the seedling stage, but they can consume entire young plants. The burrows of the ground squirrel can leave large mounds in garden or lawn and chew through any small tree roots or plant roots they encounter. Tree squirrels eat most soft vegetables and fruits grown in gardens, and tomatoes, strawberries and corn often see the worst damage. Tree squirrels of all species love feeding on fruit and nut tree, and they eat both mature and immature fruits [39].

Squirrels are also a nuisance when growing of strawberries, as they like to feed on ripe berries. For keeping them off from eating berries, wrap netting around the plants during fruiting. Once harvested the strawberries, remove the netting, so the birds can eat any unwanted insect pests on the plants. Active measures are needed to be taken in order to ensure that squirrels do not damage strawberry crop. Modify the habitat surrounding to strawberry patch to make it less desirable to squirrels. Remove bird feeders, clean up brush piles and keep tight lids on outdoor trashcans. Trapping is often necessary to remove squirrels from residential structures. Effective baits include fruit, peanut butter, nuts, seeds and vanilla extract.

Eastern chipmunk (*Tamias striatus*) is a small, brownish, ground-dwelling squirrel, have short, pointy head marked with two white stripes, one above and one below the eye, five black lines with white striping down to the back (**Figure 21**), and holds food

**Figure 21.** *Chipmunk.* with the front feet. Chipmunks have an omnivorous diet primarily consisting of seeds, nuts and other fruits, and buds. They also commonly eat grass, shoots and many other forms of plant matter as well. Around humans, chipmunks can eat cultivated grains and vegetables, and other plants from farms and gardens, so they are sometimes considered pests. Chipmunks mostly forage on the ground, but they climb trees to obtain nuts. Fruits and vegetables also make up the chipmunk's diet, and they often seek out strawberries, blackberries and other berries that grow close to the ground. Chipmunks can be pretty cute, but the cuteness fades quickly when they begin to destroy the strawberry harvest. They can be voracious eaters and will reduce to strawberry patch to a wasteland in record time, if allowed to get away with it. Their digging and acrobatic abilities make it hard to fence them out [40].

Both snap traps and live traps are an option for getting rid of chipmunks. Snap traps will kill them, while live traps make its catching, so can be transported to a more suitable location. Chipmunks are fond of nuts and seeds, so peanut butter and sunflower seeds are good bait for traps. A chicken wire hedge as a minimum of 30 inches tall submerged about 6 inches deep will benefit to guard the plants. The bottommost of the hedge that will be concealed ought to be curved at a 90-degree angle out away from the plants. This will aid to stop the animals from get into the plants by digging below the wire. Refrain from using poisons since they can also harm to pets and other wildlife.
