Passerby’s might notice trees wrapped with metal collars around their trunks. At first sight they may look misplaced and unusual but there are reasons for their installation. What’s the purpose of these metal collars & are they effective in their mission?
Trees are subjected to rodent traffic. Roof rats are particularly interested in trees to build their nests. Rodents will also target citrus and pome fruit in trees. The constant need for rodents to chew can impact the mortality of the tree. Rats and other rodents will chew on tree branches and limbs to whittle and shape their teeth.
Although rodents are terrific climbers they struggle to gain traction on particular surfaces. Smooth sheet metal offers little traction. A common practice to mitigate rodent traffic up and down tree trunks is the installation of sheet metal collars.
The sheet metal wraps around the trunk of the tree creating a no-climb zone. When rodents encounter the collar on the vertical trunk they are prevented from climbing any further. This will help mitigate the loss of produce from the tree, prevent nesting and keep the limbs of the tree from being gnawed on.
Sheet metal tree collars are an effective way to create a no-climb zone on a trees trunk. However, rodents posses other modalities to access tree tops.
Not only can rodents climb well, they are also proficient jumpers. Roof rats are capable of jumping 3-4 feet. Squirrels can jump 4-6 feet. If there are power lines, roofs, or other trees close by rodents can jump and access the tops of a tree with a sheet metal collar.
Sheet metal collars around the trunks of trees can effectively prevent rats and other critters from climbing their trunks. However, rodents may still access the tree tops by other means. For successful rat mitigation around trees, collars and other rat control efforts should be implemented simultaneously.
For more information on rodent mitigation contact the wildlife professionals at Critter Evictors!