We have three fruit trees (apple and peach) and we are having issues with squirrels. We have lived in our house for three years and not once have we been able to harvest our fruit because they all get eaten. These fruit trees are old and planted along a fence line and surrounded by larger trees. Even if we put deterrents around the base of the trees, the squirrels can just jump to the fruit trees from the other trees. Any suggestions on getting those dang squirrels to leave our fruit trees alone? And no, cutting down the other trees is not an option.
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We cover our trees up with a net so the squirrels cannot get in.
That did not work for me. Squirrels easily chewed through the net
We net ours, as well. We have tried everything else (spicy sprays, CDs, everything).. The net is the best.
I do not believe you will be able to cover your trees with netting and only partially covering will only help the squirrels do a better job.
I have some suggestions; some I have used, others just heard about. 1.) Let your dog out (of course, assuming you have a dog) 2.) Fix squirrels an alternative food source located away from your fruit trees. This may/will not eliminate the loss of fruit from your trees but can greatly reduce it.
3.) This I recently read: Use Christmas ornament hooks to hang shiny, wavy and noisy things in your fruit tree. (CDs, cut ribbons from brightly colored material that will blow in the wind, strips of aluminum foil, aluminum pie trays, wind chimes, Styrofoam cups, empty one gallon water jugs, wind socks,) just add or move things around every few days.
4.) Internet site: For best results, put fake snakes and other simulated predators in place just before fruits begin ripening and remove them right after harvest. Consider moving them about during the harvest, too, to keep squirrels from becoming accustomed to their presence.
Here are a couple of sites that also have some suggestions;
www.gardeningknowhow.com/
www.rodalesorganiclife.com/
Try hanging some windsocks on or near the trees. It only works awhile, and you have to often move them.
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