Raccoon and Opossum Damage in Grapes
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Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) cause damage when berries begin to ripen. They either consume grapes or damage plants while accessing berries. Damage is usually localized but extreme. Look for tracks or scat in or around plants to identify species. Raccoons also leave piles of grape skins on the ground after consuming fleshy portions of fruit. Because they are nocturnal, both opossums and raccoons cause damage at night.
Raccoons.
(Photo: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org)
Raccoon tracks.
(Photo: Evgeniya Mukhitova, Shutterstock.com)
Grape skins left on the ground after raccoon feeding.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Opossum.
(Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org)
Opossum tracks.
(Photo: Evgeniya Mukhitova, Shutterstock.com)
Management:
- Install metal fencing in smallscale operations to reduce opossum damage; however, metal fencing is not effective on raccoons.
- Electric fencing is effective for both opossums and raccoons when a live wire is located at nose level (about 4 to 6 inches off the ground).
- Trapping or shooting individuals is also effective.
- Set cage traps baited with tuna fish or cat food.
