Information for pest management professionals and pesticide applicators Green Bulletin Vol. 5 l No. 1 l May 2015

Tree Squirrels: Identification and Management

quirrels can be problem pests in many throughout much of California, S landscapes, gardens, and structures. primarily in oak woodlands of the California is home to several species foothills and valleys and in pine/oak of squirrels which can be divided into forests. The western gray squirrel is three groups: tree squirrels, ground gray above with distinct white under- squirrels, and flying squirrels. While parts and prominent ears. They are ground squirrels and some species distinguished from the eastern gray of tree squirrels can be pests, flying and other squirrel species by their squirrels are very elusive and not con- very long bushy tails that are primarily sidered pests. gray with white-frosted outer edges. Figure 1. Western gray squirrel. There are four species of tree squirrels Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus (Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles © California Academy of Sciences) in California (Table 1); two species are carolinensis) (Figure 2) were originally native and two are introduced from introduced from the eastern United the eastern part of the United States. States into Golden Gate Park in San Although it is easy to distinguish the Francisco, California. They are also different squirrel groups from each established in areas of Calaveras and other, often it is difficult to tell the San Joaquin counties in California and difference between the species within may be expanding their range. They the groups; this is especially true for can be variable in color. As their name the tree squirrels. Regulations regard- suggests, they have a mostly gray coat ing management of tree squirrels are but some have a distinct reddish tint. complicated, so it is extremely impor- Eastern gray squirrels are medium- tant to be able to identify squirrels to sized, with relatively narrow tails and Figure 2. Eastern gray squirrel. species level. short ears as compared to western (J. P. Clark, UC) gray squirrels. Tree Squirrel Species Eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) Native western gray squirrels (Sci- (Figure 3) were also introduced from urus griseus) (Figure 1) are found the eastern part of the United States and are well established in most major cities of California. Fox squir- WHAT’S INSIDE… rels can be identified by their grizzled yellow-brown to orange coat, tan to Spring Monitoring for | Page 4 reddish-brown underside, and bright Turf Insects orange-brown ears. The fox squirrel, often incorrectly referred to as the Online Course for | Page 5 Figure 3. Eastern fox squirrel. Healthy Schools Act red squirrel by residents of Califor- (C. Christie, Baker City, OR) nia, is visually distinguishable from Herbicide Symptoms | Page 7 the native western gray squirrel; the Database …continued on page 2

SIGN UP…for a free subscription to the Green Bulletin at http://ucanr.edu/subscribegreenbulletin Page 2 | May 2015 taken in the general inthe taken hunting by season counties can be they inCalifornia, occasional forestry In pests. be many gardens, or agriculture but may they considerederally of as pests home, Western gray squirrels are not gen Squirrels check out the information on trapping tree squirrels traps are not recommended. For more fox tree squirrel live-catch is illegal, releasingpeople. Because an eastern of, presenting aproblem for some caught squirrel the must disposed be cage traps are available, also but once trap nontarget animals. Live-catch inawayset that not will accidentally fox squirrel removal, but must they be traps of types kill are forSeveral useful permit without ahunting or license killed be Code”). Regulations “the (henceforth called FishCalifornia and Wildlife and Code in any manner inaccordance with the property may at taken be any or time injuringto be growing crops or other ronments. Fox squirrels that are found gardens inurban and suburban envi most the to serious pest be homes and eastern fox squirrel is considered to fornia. four Ofthe tree squirrels, the ofANY species tree squirrel inCali poison baits management inthe of First and foremost, it to use is illegal Management and Regulations some more remote areas. rural may become garden or home in pests consideredally However, pests. they nativevocal, tree squirrels are not usu Nevada mountain region. These very areacoastal and along Sierra the conifer-forested regions of north the chickarees,called are found inmostly douglasii urus Native squirrels Douglas tail. andunderparts, has anotably bushier has silver-gray with creamy fur white western gray squirrel is slightly larger, …continued from page 1 Tree Squirrels . Only easternOnly fox squirrels can . ) (Figure 4),sometimes UC IPM Pest Notes: Tree ( Tamiasci - - - - - ammunition. Squirrels shot with lead squirrels should shot be with non-lead ated risks to scavenging wildlife, tree with game birds, and nongame mammals, game mammals, game birds, non for of wildlife, including taking the all of use 2019 the nonlead ammunition butpractical by no later than July 1, would instead require, as as is soon as tree squirrels. However, bill AB711 of game taking the small animals such of ammunition lead is permitted for condor.California Currently, use the hazardousbe for scavengers like the leavethey and behind them can this peoplewhen shoot nongame animals condorCalifornia range. Generally, projectiles insome firearmsthe in CDFW has prohibited of use the lead arrow. and bow information on of use the firearms and ing Resident Game” Small for more “MethodsCode, Authorized for Tak 311of the section tion. see Please your sheriff for local more informa unincorporated areas. contact Please charge firearms incities evenand in Remember it is often to dis illegal range of firearms and other options. include which methods legal these a consult for 311of Code the section and county and city ordinances. Please rels under stipulations the of Code the for of taking the western gray squir There are methods several authorized found be 307. also insection canit methods to these is legal use archery and falconry. The areaswhere it to by them take season, eral is illegal to squirrelslegal take during gen the many areas of where California, it is andties zones (§307).In inCalifornia rels is not coun permitted inseveral day.per Hunting western gray squir Therebag is a limit of foursquirrels but zones between (§307). can vary The thehunting fall in occurs season ment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). license from Depart California the inpossession ofthose hunting avalid any firearm. Giventhe associ ------The above regulations coveralso all wildlife. not leave open them to scavenging of inamannerdisposed that will ammunition should removed be and (C. Christie,BakerCity, OR) Figure 4.Native Douglas squirrel. license would not required. be side of hunting the ahunting season, depredating eastern fox squirrel out ever, ifalandowner shoots legally a hunting of tree squirrels also. How hunting license is required for sport forspecies profitable gains. Avalid CDFWthe trapping when any squirrel trapping avalid possess license from Remember, any trapper for hire must session of adepredation permit. gray squirrel, pos inthe evenwhen any of type poisons to awestern take tural areas. It is not permitted to use squirrels inparks or other nonagricul it may required be to release trapped termsthe of depredation the permit, to trapis used gray squirrels. Under to insure most the humane method designate of type trap the used to be ofkilling squirrel. the The CDFWwill allow fortion will which permit the apply to CDFW the for adepreda tenant of that land or property may grayern squirrel, owner the then or by awestern gray squirrel or an east danger of damaged being or destroyed is damaged being or destroyed, or is in crops or property. If land or property are shown causing to be damage to trappedbe by any means legal ifthey covered under legislation, this may fox Eastern California. squirrels, also otherofthe species tree squirrels in …continued on page 3 ------Page 3 | May 2015 Pest - - - . - http://www.

at and the California and

Legislation restric with Can be shot permit Depredation tions. of proof with available damage. restric with Can be shot permit Depredation tions. of proof with available damage. legal any Can be taken using time of any during means year. the restric with Can be shot depredation No tions. permit available. Niamh M. Quinn, Verte M. Quinn, Niamh http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/ that is what the Code says, and it is is the it Code and what is says, that Information it. follow to important eastern permits for depredation on be can squirrels gray western and in section 4181. found squirrel tree on information more For the UC IPM consult management, Squirrels Tree Notes: ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/ pn74122.html Code Wildlife and Fish of Department at current/mammalregs.aspx#307 - brate Pest Advisor, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Advisor, Pest brate Diego counties, San and Orange, [email protected] - - Measurements with Length: 12 inches length similar of tails 1.1 - 2.1 lbs Weight: (adults) Length: 20 inches 16 to tail of tip nose to from 1.25 - 1.75 lbs Weight: Length: 18 - 27 inches tail of tip nose to from lbs 1.75 - 2.25 Weight: Length: 10-14 inches tail of tip nose to from 0.3 - 0.7 lbs Weight: . / Often actively vocal actively Often Large body, bushy tail bushy body, Large tail,Narrow short ears distinct body, Large orange to yellow-brown coat Distinguishing Feature Distinguishing tion 311. tion “gray to the Code,• In reference both and eastern means squirrels” seem may It squirrels. gray western for the regulations that unusual an and a native of the management but the same; species are invasive eastern and western gray squirrels, squirrels, gray western and eastern the Doug and squirrels, fox eastern the hunting Details of las squirrel. squirrels tree season for and areas 2, §307. in chapter becan found as in zones, differences for Look out differences for and counties, as well taking and between hunting general arrow. falconry and bow using and taking govern that regulations • The in sec be can found squirrels tree of - - - - - ucanr.edu/blogs/ucipmurbanpests tree squir tree Native Native Introduced Introduced Native/Introduced

Pests in the Urban Landscape in the Urban Pests

View or subscribe to the blog at: View Our blog provides a one-stop site for UC IPM news related to pests of homes, gardens, landscapes, and structures. We gardens, landscapes, and structures. We Our blog provides a one-stop site for UC IPM news related to pests of homes, Pest Notes and other new educational will be posting articles from our newsletters as well as announcing new and revised materials or activities of interest to urban and residential audiences. Check out our UC IPM Blog! Douglas squirrel Eastern fox squirrel Eastern fox Eastern gray squirrel Eastern gray Species squirrel gray Western

…continued from page 2 page from …continued Tree Squirrels Tree refers to “tree squirrels” it means means it squirrels” “tree to refers Species. Squirrel Tree California for Restrictions Management and Features 1. Distinguishing Table • Tree squirrels are considered considered are squirrels • Tree the Code When small game. resident is certainly very difficult to navigate. navigate. certainlyis very to difficult that remember to things a few are Here the code: through “break” you will help life Code for Tree Squirrel Man Squirrel Tree Code for life agement Game Codeand Fish CDFW’s The tact a case. in such Wild and Fish the “Breaking” rels that are associated with dangerous dangerous with associated are that rels be taken by may disease outbreaks See section organizations. appointed con to organizations of a list 4011 for squirrels can be associated with patho be with can associated squirrels be harmful to potentially can that gens the Code, Under humans. While uncommon occurrences, tree uncommon While T Page 4 | May 2015 Spring MonitoringforTurfInsects since many shelter take pests inthatch removal important especially can be thatchand periodic removal. Thatch appropriate watering and drainage, suchering as aspects mowing height, properly managed for consid health, Once established, turf to needs be edu/pdf/8035.pdf html TOOLS/TURF/TURFSPECIES/index. traffic temperature, salinity, drought, and foot on tolerance to key stressors such as appropriatechoose based turf species some excellent online resources to help Resources (UCANR)has published Division of Agriculture and Natural planted. The University California’sof longevity and of resiliency grasses the to reduce overall stress and to ensure water availability way is single best the by considering regional climate and appropriatethe for turf species site the and maintenance the plan. Choosing ing and drainage, irrigation systems, site,the grad selection, with species during and design the installation of Pest management for turf areas begins never become infested first in the place. ensure that turf the areas you manage preventive measures to taken can be Initially, methods. cal some important andcultural other tactics nonchemi and small dealt with can usingstill be populations pest when detected are ing, however, infestations pest can be applications. With proper monitor inputsfurther form inthe of pesticide less appearance (Figure 1), leading to turf, can sometimes jeopardize aflaw quiteactually rare inwell-managed form by clients. Insect though pests, to always clean, look green, and uni substantial inputs and may expected be to manage often since they require and golf courses—can challenging be municipal rights-of-way, fields, sports commercial landscape features, areas—suchurf as residential lawns, ficult when thatchwhen ficult has built up. and monitoring because is more dif

and : http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/

http://anrcatalog.ucdavis. . ------Table 1.Approximate Monitoring and Treatment Times Insects. for Lawn Some monitoringing these practices inprob root the inspect zone (Figure 3).Utiliz undercut of turf asection inorder to to be necessary crane will flyit larvae, billbug andof scarab larvae, beetles), aging white (C-shaped grubs larvae includingpests, potentially the dam profilesoil feeding on roots. For these work that with pests live inthe deeper simple monitoring procedure not will and chinch bugs. Unfortunately, this sucking such pests as leafhoppers workwill for mobile highly piercing- skippers fiery andlawn moths. also It worms, webworms, of and larvae the caterpillars such as cutworms, army (Figure 2).This test works well for inansoil area infested to be suspected is applied to saturate thatch the and test,” where asoap and water solution way to is dothis by using “drench the to monitor population changes. One tosurface confirmtheir presence and to bring itso to is them necessary the usually hiddenwithin thatch the layer, may active at be hours odd and are disturbing soil. the Blade-feeding pests ing on leaf blades, and nuisance pests piercing-sucking mouthparts feed on bugs grass leaf blades, with true feeding on roots, caterpillars feeding (grubs) categories:several larvae beetle of pests into turfinsect fall one of region. In most of major the California, knowledge of key turf inthe the pests require regular monitoring and some approach to management pest will Next, realize that an integrated - - - - - bugs. Figure 1.Patch killed of by turfgrass bill bi-weekly monitoring (Table 1). more available, are for ideal weekly or growing rapidly and moisture when is The spring months,grasswhen is management costs later season. inthe before lem areas or value inhigh landscapes (J. K.Clark,UCIPM) Figure 2.Performing adrench test. zone. Figure to 3.Pull back inspect root turf (J. K.Clark,UCIPM) (J. K.Clark,UCIPM) damage can help occurs reduce …continued on page 5 - Page 5 | May 2015 - - - - http://www. at …continued on page 6 page on …continued . Andrew Sutherland, SF SF Sutherland, Andrew toring program, landscape managers managers landscape program, toring are chafers masked where in areas easily find themselves can common has turf where situation autumn in an where and damaged been irreparably remain. options management few moni prevention, about Learn more pests by turf of treatment and toring, the newly revisedaccessing UC IPM Insects Lawn Notes: Pest ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/ pn7476.html - IPM Advisor, Urban Area Bay [email protected] they are now required to do the fol to required now they are lowing: the school for IPM plan an 1) Develop either post school district it and or site or website district’s or the school’s on with staff and all to parents out send it pesticide notice. the annual by incorporating IPM principles and and IPM principles incorporating by model. their business within practices manages efficiently and IPM effectively within professionalism pests, builds the for value captures and providers, while unneces minimizing customer pesticide sary pesticide applications, negative associated and exposures, health, the envi children’s on impacts community. the larger and ronment, Healthy latest the includes course The went that requirements Schools Act child If 1, 2015. January on effect into plan staff K-12 school public and care pesticides, non-exempt any apply to - - - - - (J. K. Clark, UC IPM) Figure 4. Masked chafer larvae (white larvae (white chafer 4. Masked Figure grubs). ants, rodents, spiders, and roaches. roaches. and spiders, rodents, ants, discusseshow presentation The third prosper can companies pest control individuals who complete the course the course who complete individuals centers care child and schools so that provid pest with control connect can the Healthy IPM and with familiar ers Schools Act. is divided into online course The The presentations. narrated three Healthy the about is presentation first is a section The second Schools Act. be can applied it how IPM and on pests in schools common control to as such environments, care child and Leonard; and Luis Agurto Jr. from from Jr. Agurto Luis and Leonard; the developed IPM Providers Pestec doz of the input with module training pest management California’s of ens provid care child and professionals and surveys, using ers, focus groups, Envi for The courses. Center pilot Children’s and Research ronmental of a database also is developing Health they cause are most observable). most The are they cause this for pest treatments effective most when July, or be in June made should not has damage small and grubs are moni a spring Without appeared. yet (the season when they and the damage (the season the when damage they and - - - -

(Figure 1) is the new free online the new 1) is free online (Figure

Associate Director Asa Bradman; UC Bradman; Asa Director Associate Vickie Specialist Staff Francisco San IPM Advisor Andrew Sutherland; Sutherland; Andrew IPM Advisor Research Environmental for Center (CERCH) Health Children’s and control companies are required to do to required are companies control the law. follow to IPM that explains the history of the the history of explains IPM that what details and Schools Act Healthy pest and centers, care child schools, Services in Schools and Child Care Set Care Child and Services Schools in tings UC from available module training public K–12 schools and licensed pri and K–12 schools public centers. care child vate Management Pest Integrated Providing Healthy Schools Act (HSA). The HSA (HSA). The Schools Act Healthy seeks minimize to IPM and promotes in all children to pesticide exposure companies providing services in providing companies centers licensed care child and schools called a series laws with the of comply alifornia requires that pest control pest control that requires alifornia per year in California) (Figure 4) California) in (Figure per year and roots eating stopped largely have in size in autumn growing stopped ously growing. For example, the larvae example, For growing. ously common (the most chafers masked of grub’ the ‘white of damaging most and generation one only species, having the damage at this point since pests since this point at the damage and dormant or be gone already may vigor longer no because grasses are ible toll on areas with damaged roots roots damaged with areas on toll ible is it Unfortunately, blades. tattered or mitigate to impossible oreven difficult pests in turf only becomes apparent apparent becomes only pests turf in fall, when low and summer late during take a vis stress heat and soil moisture Often times, damage due to insectdue damage times, Often

Follow the Healthy Schools Act Follow the Schools and Child Care Centers Child Care Centers Schools and New UC IPM Online Course Helps Online Course Helps New UC IPM

Turf Insects Turf 4 page from …continued C Page 6 | May 2015 …continued from page 5 School andChildCareCourse Regulations” and one “IPM” from the onlinethe course: one “Rules and ing education units by completing sionals can receive two continu management pest Licensed profes school IPMand safe of use pesticides. Regulation-approved training on annually aDepartment of Pesticide applying must pesticides complete employee, or person other unlicensed dinator, and school or child care sional applicator, school IPMcoor JulyBeginning 1,2016any profes 31,2015. 1,2015to December ary 2016 and from cover Janu period the The first reports are due 30, January appliedticides by school employees. Regulation for non-exempt all pes a year to Department the of Pesticide reports at pesticide 2) Send least once selected andapplied inamannerthatminimizesrisks tohumanhealth,beneficial andnontargetorganisms,the environment. tenance practices toreduceconditionsfavorablefor pests.PesticidesarepartofIPM programs butareusedonlywhen needed. Productsare techniques includingresistantplant varieties,biologicalcontrol,physicalormechanicalcontrol, andmodificationofgardeninghomemain WHAT ISIPM? Resources New andUpdated edu/PMG/menu.disease.html. index the atname, See type. and disease tion searched can be by common host, disease name, scientific flowers,treesfruits, lawns,and shrubs, and vegetables. Informa Plant Index Disease page. Users on can access to close 300diseases We’ve made it tosolutions easier find to plant in our new diseases IndexPlant Disease pn74140.html. Invertebrates Pestrevised Note and protectthe garden in beneficials andlandscape the in recently nent of any IPMprogram and how you can identify, encourage, moreLearn about how natural enemies are an important compo Control PestBiological Note Updated

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs focus on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of Integrated PestManagement(IPM) programsfocusonlong-termpreventionofpestsortheirdamagethrough acombinationof at at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/ Biological Control and Natural Enemies of [email protected] ciate Director for Communications, - [email protected] Bay Area Urban IPMAdvisor, - [email protected] tive Learning Developer, - cide Regulation’s IPM School forms, visit the Healthy Act Schools requirements or website To course, the the take see Regulation.ticide “Other” from Department the of Pes one “Laws and Regulations” and one PestStructural Control and Board; Cheryl Reynolds, UCIPMInterac Reynolds, Cheryl Tunyalee Martin, UCIPMAsso Andrew Sutherland, SF http://www.ipm.ucdavis. . For more information on the Department of Pesti UC IPM - website - - - - . - (K. Windbiel-Rojas,UCIPM) Figure 1.Child care online course. courses atcourses online trainingfree UCIPM’sSee other ucdavis.edu/training www.ipm. - . Page 7 | May 2015

http://ucanr.edu/sites/ ). . www.ipm.ucanr.edu/greenbulletin [email protected]

Resources not to engage in discrimination against Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete nondiscrimination policy at found can be statement anrstaff/files/183099.pdf nondiscrimination policies ANR’s Inquiries regarding Affirmative Manton, Marie Linda to directed be may Agriculture California, of University Contact, Action Davis, 2801 Second Street, Resources, and Natural 95618, (530) 750-1318. CA Produced by the University of California Statewide IPM Statewide of California University Produced by the EIPM NIFA Program with partial funding from the USDA simplify information, trade To Coordination Program. names of products have been used. No endorsement of named products is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. For more information about managing contact pests, your University of California Cooperative Extension office listed under the county government pages of site at your phone book, or visit the UC IPM Web www.ipm.ucanr.edu AND ANR NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT ACTION POLICY AFFIRMATIVE It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and Natural Agriculture and the UC Division of University of California Statewide IPM Program 2801 Second Street 95618-7774 Davis, CA E-mail: Online: - - . http://herbicidesymptoms. and local Wardens will be local and Wardens . Alternatively, you can contact contact can you . Alternatively, describing modes of action of various various action of modes of describing orna damage, herbicide herbicides, in included plants crop and mental example of index an and the database, active and trade names herbicide repository be can The ingredients. at found ipm.ucanr.edu/ This user-friendly database con database user-friendly This briefly information additional tains - - - -

regional Fish and Wildlife office Wildlife and Fish regional

Ask the Expert! Are the regulations for managing tree squirrels the same in every county in California? Where do I go to find out what the regulations are? No, they are not the same. Regulations for season and methods of methods of season and for Regulations the same. not they are No, even County, Kern like counties, Some vary county. take can by of I-5. west or east are you on if depending regulations different have California Fish and Wildlife Code Wildlife and California Fish

A Q able to provide you with the details. with you provide to able To keep up with the regulations in your area, check out the out check area, in your the regulations with up keep To your easily compare with what they see what with in easily compare the field. archive of damage to over 120 differ over to damage of archive by plants ornamental and crops ent can which users herbicides, known the herbicide, and notes the specific notes and the herbicide, these Together damage. of symptoms a comprehensive provide photos drifted onto the plant. the onto drifted the with characterized is Each image action of mode of the plant, of name herbicide modes of action, applied in applied action, modes of herbicide symptoms the to demonstrate field has spray herbicide when known or The images are cataloged to show show to cataloged are images The occur 81 can from that damage 14 specific than in more herbicides cide-damaged plants, drawn from his his from drawn plants, cide-damaged research. others’ and own professor at UC Davis and Director Director and UC Davis at professor Pest Integrated the UC Statewide of (UC IPM), has Program Management herbi of 1,000 photos nearly gathered Agriculture and Natural Resources. Natural and Agriculture weed science Al-Khatib, Kassim Dr. launch of a new online photo reposi photo a new online of launch IPM Program, the Statewide tory by of California Division of University dentifying nontarget crop and orna and crop nontarget dentifying herbicides from damage plant mental the with easier, much become has

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Plant Damage from Herbicides from Damage Plant New UC IPM Photo Repository Shows Shows Repository Photo IPM UC New