This carrot field shows significant deer damage. When you see damage in your fields, flag and do not harvest the damaged area. If the damage is caused by wildlife known to carry human pathogens, consider not harvesting an additional 5-foot distance around the damaged crop area. This is not an absolute number. If your judgement suggests that a greater distance is necessary based on the risk (e.g., crop type, harvest method), use the greater distance.  

Source: Phillip Tocco, Extension Educator, Preharvest Food Safety, Michigan State University  

Photo by Phillip Tocco

Photo by Phillip Tocco, Michigan State University

Photo by Phillip Tocco, Michigan State University

Groundhog damage to plants can be confirmed by the presence of burrows. Feeding areas are not far from a groundhog’s burrow, and well-defined paths from their burrow to feeding grounds are commonly present. Their sharp incisors will leave behind neat, clipped edges and tooth marks around the bases of damaged trees. Additionally, groundhogs will climb trees to access apples and other fruits. 

Source: Marne Titchenell, Wildlife Program Specialist, OSU Extension 

Photo by Marne Titchenell

Rabbits cause damage year-round. Although rabbits are not rodents, their dentition is similar with two pairs of sharp incisors neatly clipping vegetation. Rabbit damage is easily identifiable by the clean-cut, angular edge left behind by a rabbit’s sharp incisors. This damage appears as if the plant was cut off using a knife or pruners. This is very different from the jagged, torn edges deer leave behind.  

Source: Marne Titchenell, Wildlife Program Specialist, OSU Extension 

Photo by Marne Titchenell

Photo by Marne Titchenell, The Ohio State University

These raccoon prints near surface water could represent water contamination. If the grower is using the surface water for overhead irrigation, wildlife prints near a water source are a red flag you need to assess the water for contamination. The highest risk of contamination is using the water source for overhead irrigation over a covered commodity. Moving to drip irrigation lowers the risk because it delivers the water directly to the roots.  

Source: Chris Gunter, Vegetable Production Specialist and Professor, North Carolina State University 

Photo by Chris Gunter

Photo by Marne Titchenell, The Ohio State University