What eats corn stalks?? No corn even visible??

16 years ago

Hello folks,

For the past 2 weeks something eats 2-3 corn stalks every week. These corn stalks do not have corn nor do they have tassels - nothing, nada -- just stalks. The corn is growing in a huge container and is very healthy. I have investigated and it is not slugs or cut worms. The stalks are eaten off right about 5-6 inches from the dirt. I do have rabbits and squirrels in the area. There are also a few neighboorhood cats which roam at will. Anyone have an idea??

Thanks.......

Featured Answer

farmerdilla

16 years ago

As will squirrels. They tend to cut the stalk a couple inches above the ground and then shred the stalk. The most tell tale sign of squirrels rather than rabbits is that squirrels will some times take the stalk a distance away. They probably do this for the juice as they give less problems when they have a bird bath or other water source handy.

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Comments (7)

laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Rabbits or deer will certainly enjoy it.
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dancinglemons
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks farmerdilla and laceyvail!! I think it is the squirrels as they have shred the stalk and did take it away. I have just the treatment for them ;-)) I am sure glad I found out about the squirells fondness for corn stalks before they totally ruined my corn crop.

DL
Ed
16 years ago
I also have the same exact same problem here in northern NJ. Except the stalks are not being completely chewed off nor moved from the row. The critter will chew partially through the stalk and then it falls over. As my area of corn is quite small, 20x20, I'm going to try a small fence next. I'm running out of corn stalks!
grandad_2003
16 years ago
Makes me recall the time I found the top half of one of my corn stalks well up into an oak tree. The oak is about 40 feet from the garden. I believe the corn stalk was intended to be nesting material.
tdscpa
16 years ago
Rabbits are my biggest problem with corn, but they attack and eat it all down to ground level about the time it gets 2-3" above ground.

One will chew off 30 plants in one night. They might get a .177 lead pellet through the skull the next day, if I can locate them.
cheapheap
16 years ago
I know that the OP's question was answered but for others -Nutria might be (or will be) a problem if they are around. They seem to gnaw them off at the ground and not eat much (or any) of the stalk and then move right along to the next. They are not native and invasive in much of the US.
Best of luck!