Q.
Our almond tree was full this year. However, half of our crop was eaten by
something. The nuts are not ready yet. They are still green and so hard you
would need a nutcracker to crack the shells open. My husband picked the rest of
the almonds so we at least had something to enjoy. Any ideas as to what’s
eating the nut and cracking them open?
A.
This is most likely ground squirrel harvesting. Technically I think they are
called antelope ground squirrels and they are very common in southern Nevada.
We find them typically at residences near or bordering the desert or large
expanses of desert landscaping or open lots.
In almond orchards ground squirrels
can harvest an almond tree overnight. They are very active right now, chewing
open the green, hard husk and taking the immature seed. Seeds right now are
soft and sweet, not yet hardened. You will see lots of empty shells on the
ground from these critters.
can harvest an almond tree overnight. They are very active right now, chewing
open the green, hard husk and taking the immature seed. Seeds right now are
soft and sweet, not yet hardened. You will see lots of empty shells on the
ground from these critters.
 |
| Empty almond husks at the bottom of the tree’s canopy from ground squirrels |
Ground squirrels continue to feed on
nuts throughout the season. When the husk splits open, they steal the nuts a
lot faster and store them away somewhere. It is usually safer to harvest the
nuts as soon as they split open and not leave them on the tree to dry.
nuts throughout the season. When the husk splits open, they steal the nuts a
lot faster and store them away somewhere. It is usually safer to harvest the
nuts as soon as they split open and not leave them on the tree to dry.
 |
| Ground squirrel grape thievery |
I know that these little guys look
cute but they can be real pests if they get out of control. They will also
steal grapes right out of bunches. Bunches with stolen grapes look just like
you think they might look, a bunch with grapes missing here and there on the
outside of the bunch.
cute but they can be real pests if they get out of control. They will also
steal grapes right out of bunches. Bunches with stolen grapes look just like
you think they might look, a bunch with grapes missing here and there on the
outside of the bunch.
 |
| Antelope ground squirrel adding insult to injury |
Control is not easy nor is it any
fun. In commercial orchards they frequently use poison bait to help control the
population. There are other options such as trapping and relocation.
fun. In commercial orchards they frequently use poison bait to help control the
population. There are other options such as trapping and relocation.
Please be very careful when dealing
with ground squirrels. It is rare but they can transmit the Plague from flea
bites or bitten directly by the ground squirrel.
with ground squirrels. It is rare but they can transmit the Plague from flea
bites or bitten directly by the ground squirrel.
Here is some very good information
on ground squirrels from the University of California
on ground squirrels from the University of California
Liked the info on ground squirrels. I have seen missing almonds recently. There was a link at the bottom of the article that I could not get to work. Could you post a little more info so I can search for it? – Thank you – Diane
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The two middle pics are from the UNCE orchard last week so they have been busy there! I fixed the broken link.
I had five 3rd leaf cultivars produce two separate waves of nectarines in Phoenix. Low thrip damage noted. Just started to get soft to the squeeze. Both times overnight the entire trees stripped bare (not a great deal of fruit, but still, picked clean not like birds). I suspect ground squirrels or rats. Weirdly enough the peach trees are untouched as are the plums. Next year it will be interesting to see if they get past the tule.