Bark Damaage:
According to wildlife experts, squirrels chew bark to:
1. Find food or moisture
2. Collect nesting material
3. Mark territory
4. Expend energy (recreational activity?)
There may be other reasons known only to the squirrels.
Determine if the squirrels causing serious damage. Many trees can handle a great deal of debarking. If not, it may be best to ignore
the activity. They are bound to chew something, and chewing tree bark may be preferable to chewing siding or utility wires.
If the damage is serious, you may be able to reduce it by fastening two-foot barriers of sheet metal to tree trunks six or eight
feet from the ground. However, since squirrels can jump a considerable distance, this will not protect trees located
near other trees or buildings.
Apply repellents formulated to deter rodents or rabbits to the damaged areas if practicable. If a particular squirrel seems to be the
primary culprit, an effort to trap and remove it may be worthwhile. Be sure to consult state and local laws before trapping. Also know that some states forbid the translocation of wildlife. Consult ICWDM.org to learn how trap squirrels effectively.
Eating Fruit:
Install trunk barriers as noted above. Even if you can't stop tree to tree jumping, the flashing could make it more difficult for the squirrels.
Population control is also suggested.
Additional Resources:
http://www.msue.msu.edu/genesee/natres/squirrel.htm
ICWDM
