DEAR JOAN: We have an avocado tree in our yard and have waited several years to see the tree bear fruit. Last year we had nine beautiful avocados, which we harvested in early March.
This year, we counted 20 avocados before we left for a five-week trip. When we came home there was not a single avocado on the tree. There were no avocados or partially eaten avocados on the ground. We are stumped as to what happened to our avocados.
We have had both raccoons and opossums in the yard in the past, but don’t think they could get to the avocados on the high branches. Any idea on what may have happened?
— Susan Foster, Sunnyvale
DEAR SUSAN: This is one of those questions that should be easy to answer, but isn’t. The reason for that has to do with the avocado itself.
Humans are the only animals that can – and do – safely eat avocados, largely because we can remove the peeling and the pit, which both contain a toxic compound called persin. The levels of persin are negligible in the flesh, and our bodies are capable of processing it out.
Because the persin can cause severe stomach upset and pain, smaller creatures generally give avocados a pass while larger animals such as bears, coyotes, foxes and mountain lions are more likely to munch them.
Now here’s the head slapping moment. Just because squirrels, raccoons and opossums aren’t supposed to like avocados doesn’t mean they won’t try. Ground squirrels in particular don’t seem that fussed about a little upset stomach, and they will happily grab what they can.
Because you were gone for five weeks, the culprits had a long time to get rid of evidence. If tree squirrels were involved, they might have buried the pits and even the entire fruit. Rats might have helped remove other remains of the pillage, although I think it likely you would have found some remnants of the feast hanging around.
Before we start blaming critters, however, I think we should also consider the strong possibility that two-legged varmints are involved. I don’t want to cause suspicion in the neighborhood, but the thief could have been of the human variety who saw an opportunity and took it.
DEAR JOAN: Last year a swallow built a nest on the rocks above our front door. We didn’t catch it right away as we usually enter the house from a different door.
This year, we are watching the area carefully and the swallow is trying again. My husband is cleaning the dirt off daily. Will the swallow eventually give up and try to find another nesting spot or will it just keep trying?
— J. and G., Salinas
DEAR J. and G.: Swallows have a strong internal urge to return to established nesting sites each spring, but your want-to-be neighbor will eventually give up.
As long as the early attempts at a nest are removed promptly, there’s no problem, but once a nest is built and the birds are actively using it, it has to be left alone until after the young swallows have fledged and the parents have left.
The Animal Life column runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.