Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources
715 W. State Street
W. Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 494-3590
FAX: (765) 494-9461

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Squirrels
(Fox Squirrel [Scirius niger], 13-lined Squirrel [Spermophilus tridecemlineatus])

It is difficult to distinguish between damage caused by fox squirrels and 13-lined ground squirrels. While their habitats differ substantially, the sign they leave behind does not. Damage caused by squirrels is concentrated at both the early- and late-developmental growth stages of plants. Unlike birds, squirrels and other mammals have a keen sense of smell.

Learn more about squirrel damage.

Corn

Damage by squirrels is almost entirely limited to field edges adjacent to quality squirrel habitat. (top of page)
Squirrels dig up seed prior to emergence or pull seedlings shortly after emergence. (top of page)
Squirrels feed only on the remaining seed and leave the rest of the plant. (top of page)
Generally, when squirrel damage occurs the soil will be dug to one side.(top of page)
Significant reduction in stand densities occur along the field edge where damage has taken place. (top of page)
Chipmunk and most other small mammals are too small to excavate a large hole all at once. Consequently, they will dig around a plant to expose the remaining attached seed. (top of page)
Some corn plants will survive feeding by small mammals after the V3 stage (Note the previous damage marked with orange paint). While the seminal root system grows directly from the seed, growth of these roots is virtually non-existent by the V3 stage at which point the nodal root development increases (Ritchie et al.1997a). (top of page)
From the milk stage through maturity, squirrels and smaller rodents will feed on kernels from intact ears. Parts of kernels often are visible scattered on the leaves and ground below individual plants, and squirrels may pull entire ears of corn to the edge of a field. In either case, small mammals will most often consume only the hearts of the kernels of milk stage or mature corn. (top of page)