GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - I'll get those pesky squirrels .............

David E. Ross · 26-04-2009, 01:51 AM posted to rec.gardens

On 4/25/2009 11:08 AM, wrote [in part]:
On Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:13:27 -0700, I previously wrote [also in part]:
One major problem is that squirrels in this area (especially ground
squirrels) carry plague.

How big a problem is plague where you are? I've never heard of cases
of plague in TN, but maybe there are.

Plague among humans is rare but not unknown in southern California.

It seems that the newspapers carry an article at least once each year,
warning people to avoid contact with squirrels and other small mammals.
This warning is especially strong when the animal appears ill.
However, such a warning could also apply to avoiding rabies as much as
avoiding plague. When the warning mentions dead animals, then plague is
usually the concern.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary