Dead lilac leaves - disappearing squirrels - Ask Extension
Hi, I have attached a picture of my lilac leaves. It almost looks like they've been sprayed with Roundup. I do not use herbicide anywhere on my proper...
Knowledgebase
Dead lilac leaves - disappearing squirrels #881163
Asked August 12, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT
Hi, I have attached a picture of my lilac leaves. It almost looks like they've been sprayed with Roundup. I do not use herbicide anywhere on my property. This started about 2 weeks ago. During the same time frame, all the squirrels that eat seeds from my deck are GONE. I do not see them in the trees, yard, or on the deck. This is very strange. We have 6 "regulars" and they are gone. Looks like a connection but I don't know what that would be. Thanks.
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Lilac leaf diseases are rampant in the Twin Cities area this summer. In most cases affected lilacs will recover and grow normally next year. However, when conditions are favorable, leaf diseases may occur again.
Remove fallen leaves to reduce incidence of disease.
The following publication discusses lilac leaf diseases and how to deal with them.
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/lamentable-lilac-leaf-diseases/
Why squirrels have disappeared is anyone's guess. An efficient predator may have been at work.
People sometimes trap and remove squirrels they consider a nuisance.
As a rule, the population quickly returns to normal because squirrels in surrounding areas show up to replace any that have gone missing.
Remove fallen leaves to reduce incidence of disease.
The following publication discusses lilac leaf diseases and how to deal with them.
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/lamentable-lilac-leaf-diseases/
Why squirrels have disappeared is anyone's guess. An efficient predator may have been at work.
People sometimes trap and remove squirrels they consider a nuisance.
As a rule, the population quickly returns to normal because squirrels in surrounding areas show up to replace any that have gone missing.
Thanks very much! On 2024-08-12 15:05, Ask Extension wrote: >
