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Development and Management Package Against Squirrel Damage in Coconut Trees

M.S. ALAM
Vertebrate, BARI

M. A. ZAHID
Vertebrate, BARI

G. C. BISWAS
Vertebrate, BARI

M. A. RAHMAN
Vertebrate, BARI

M. AHMED
Vertebrate, BARI

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted during 2014-2015 at Regional Wheat Research Sub-Station (RWRS), Shyampur, Rajshahi to find out the suitable management tactics to repel squirrels from the coconut trees. Among the different treatments, wrapping of 2.5 feet wide metal sheet around the tree trunk 6 feet above from the ground treated trees showed the best result for repelling squirrels (100%) from the coconut trees with achieving the highest benefit cost ratio (3.92) followed by hanging of human hair on the tree trunk treated trees (24.19% reduction) with BCR 1.38.

Keywords: Squirrel, Repellent, Coconut

Location: Shyampur, Rajshahi

Start Date: 00-00-2014

End Date: 00-00-2015

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Vertebrate

Objectives:

,This experiment was undertaken using mechanical barrier and homemade natural squirrel repellent to deter them from Coconut fruit trees.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at RWRS, Shyampur, Rajshahi during December 2014 to May 2015. There were 4 treatments viz, T₁ = Wrapping 2.5 feet metal sheet around the tree trunk 6 feet above from the ground, T₂ = Hanging of human hair on the tree trunk, T₃ = spraying repellent made by onion + hot chilli + green chilli and T₄ = Untreated control. The experiment was laid out following RCB design with 4 replications. One coconut tree (9-10 years) was treated as one replication. Metal sheets were placed on the tree trunk 6 feet above from the ground by surfing nails into the tree trunk with the hammer. Human hair (100g) collected from salons was hanged on the tree trunk with the help of nylon net bags. Human hair was changed every 15 days interval. Homemade squirrel repellent (onion (10g) + hot chilli (10g) + green chilli (10g)) was applied to the tree canopy with the help of foot pump at 7 days interval. Plant to plant distance was around 6 meter apart from one another. Number of squirrels moving toward the tree, number of squirrels reaching on the top of the canopy, number of damaged fruits, number of healthy fruits and per cent fruit damage caused by squirrel were recorded up to 7 days after the application of the treatments of every interval. Collected data were analyzed statistically using MSTATC and means were separated by DMRT for statistical difference.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report, Vertebrate and Pest, BARI--2014-15

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The result indicated that all the treatments significantly reduced the squirrel infestation and repelled the squirrels from the trees over the control. Although the number of squirrel moving toward the tree was not significant among the treatments but it should not be counted as real difference because normally squirrels used to climb the tree trunk in all treatments but except untreated control they were deterred by different treatments like sheet metal, human hair and homemade squirrel repellent treated trees respectively. The number of squirrels reaching on the tree canopy numerically differed among the treatments but not significant. In case of metal sheet wrapping trees, no squirrel could reach on the top of the tree canopy followed by human hair treated trees where only 1.50 numbers of squirrels could reach on the top of the tree canopy. It should be mentioned that human hair could completely repel the squirrels from the tree up to 12 days. After 12 days its repellency action might have been reduced for this reason some squirrels could move to the tree canopy. In case of homemade spray application (onion + hot chilli + green chilli), average 3.57 numbers of squirrel could reach to the tree canopy. Spray materials could maintain their pungency up to only 4 to 5 days. So, after 5 days, squirrels could move to the tree canopy and damage the fruits freely as well. No damaged coconut fruit was found (0.00) in wrapping metal sheet treated trees. This method allowed the sheet metal to spread as the tree grew. Hanging of human hair treated trees showed less infestation next to metal sheet treated trees (4.00) followed by homemade spray application (onion + hot chilli + green chilli) (7.50). Capsaicin (the active ingredient in hot peppers) has been found to repellent properties.

The highest number of healthy fruits (32.00) were found in wrapping metal sheet treated trees due to the lowest infestation or no infestation caused by squirrels, followed by hanging of human hair treated trees (28.50) and homemade spray (onion + hot chilli + green chilli) treated trees (24.00) respectively and the lowest number of healthy fruits (11.00) were found in untreated control trees.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings