Please append your homegrown lead to this thread if you have any . I ’ve had a fig tree in my backyard for 10 years and have n’t eaten a exclusive ripe yield . The hoot ate each and every individual ripe fig . And the unripe ones were too acerb for my taste perception . We have a colony of squirrels running around too – so I can not fully charge the birds . I never knew how delicious my homegrown common fig tree were until this year , when I decided to struggle them . Each fig was wrapped in a plastic bag and tied with twine . It took me an hour to do this . There was pelting , sprinkler water , condensation , and other thing that caused all the good fig inside the bags to split . But , I still got to see good Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya for the first time ever . They were so delicious and now I know why the birds are so crazy about them . So , to quit the bags from stimulate wet , I switch them all out for Ziploc grip with hole punched in them . I used the slide fastener of the ziploc bags to secure them . This strategy worked for 4 day . But this morning , birds took my ziploc bags off and dropped them on the ground , taking four of my advanced figs with them . I am back to the drawing board front for idea for protect my FIG . I only get less than 50 figs a year . And ideally , if I harvested half of it , I will be a happy camper . I do nt want to beak unripe figs to outsmart the birds as I have been doing . Any help ? ? ? Related Stories .
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As a common fig lover nothing is more frustrating than seeing your ripen figure disappear overnight pick sporting by surreptitious squirrel . Figs are a delightful treat , but these shaggy-haired - give chase thieves have a fashion of getting to the fruit before you do . It can feel like an eternal battle prove to outsmart the squirrels and actually get to savor the figure from your own trees .
But do n’t give up hope ! With some cunning tricks and preventative measures , you could successfully keep squirrels away and protect your fig trees . This guide will walk you through the most good squirrel - proofing method , so you may relax knowing your fig harvest is good and destined for your mesa , not the squirrels ’ .
Why Squirrels Love Figs So Much
common fig have characteristics that make them especially irresistible to squirrels :
Sweet flavor – Figs are pack with natural sugars , which squirrels ca n’t withstand The sweet physique is a tasty , high-pitched - energy treat
Soft texture – Unlike harder fruit , figs do n’t need much elbow grease for squirrel to sink their tooth into . Their diffuse pelt and flesh make them gentle for squirrels to use up
nutritionary value – Figs cater good food like atomic number 19 , atomic number 12 , fiber , and antioxidant . Squirrels need the vitamin and mineral from fruit and nuts .
availability – The elbow room figure maturate in clusters makes them easy targets . Squirrels can grab and eat multiple figure at once off a branch .
Ripening meter – Squirrels are most attracted to mature and advanced Libyan Fighting Group in summer and former surrender . This line up with when they are stash away fatty tissue for winter .
When a sugared , soft , nutritious yield source is uncommitted right as squirrel are pitch up for cold weather , they will take advantage . Protecting the figs during this decisive clock time is key .
Effective Squirrel Deterrent Methods
retention squirrels away from your fig tree requires using proactive deterrents and taking steps to make your fruit less approachable . Here are the top methods to try :
Use Cylindrical Barriers on Tree Trunks
Wrapping weather sheet alloy cylinder around the bottom trunks of fig trees prevents squirrels from mount up . The slippery surface deter their claws from gripping . ensure the metal prolong at least 3 foot up the trunk and completely encircle the tree . This forces squirrels to have to take a flying leap to reach arm with figs , which they ’ll call up twice about .
Install Baffles on Branches
Baffles are cone cell - influence plastic or metal barrier that stop access to branch . put them front downwards environ yield clusters . Squirrels ca n’t get past the slippery baffles to walk out on limbs . baffle board are gentle to install and very effective hinderance .
Try Scare Tactics
create terrible conditions on and around your figure Tree can daunt squirrel away by make them feel unsafe . Some panic selection admit :
The sounds , movements , and smells overwhelm squirrels ’ pot so they leave . Refreshing scare tactics regularly keeps them on their toes .
Use Netting as Physical Barriers
Covering tree with netting is one of the most protective pick since it physically blocks squirrels from getting to figs . Use charge card or nylon birdie netting with a 1⁄2 to 1 - inch hole sizing . cloak it over trees and secure it tightly to branches . Make certain there are no openings for squirrel to get in . harvest time fig through the gauze . take away it after harvest .
Pick Figs Promptly When Ripe
clean figs as soon as they hit ideal ripeness , before squirrels have a chance to eat them . Check trees daily in the dawning and eve during summertime ripen season . find fault advanced figs decent away — don’t leave them hanging on the tree for long . delight refreshful or preserve the fig at once after harvesting .
Trim Back Branches Around Power Lines
Squirrels often use power lines as main road to get at fig Tree . Prune back any branches touch or overhang lines to eliminate this gentle route for squirrel to get onto your tree . push them to have to take a more treacherous aerial route .
Use Small Bags to Protect Individual Figs
For small trees with limited Libyan Fighting Group you want to protect , cover each ripe fig with a small organza pocketbook tied at the fore . The fabric mesh excludes squirrels but allows air flow . Not pragmatic for large harvests , but helpful for prized figs on dwarfed Tree .
Apply Squirrel Repellent Sprays
Sprays hold in caster oil , capsaicin from peppers , or garlic oil deter squirrels with unpleasant smells and tastes . put on them liberally on fig trees , leaves , and fruit 2 - 3 times per week . dependable for humans but repels squirrels on inter-group communication . Reapply after rainwater .
Set Up Squirrel-Proof Fencing
Installing tall fencing material with a curved top edge can preclude squirrel from ever accessing your trees . utilize galvanized metal or charge card fencing material at least 6 feet high . swallow the bottom edge at least 1 foot underground . ensure the top curves outwards so squirrels ca n’t climb over .
Additional Tips for Protecting Fig Trees from Squirrels
Enjoy Your Bountiful Fig Harvest
Do n’t let squirrels steal your figs this time of year . With bright preparation and logical monitoring , you’re able to foil their plans and keep your fruit protected . Use several of the squirrel - proof methods together to ensure you have all your base cut across . The feat is well deserving it to be capable to pop juicy mature Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya direct from your own tree into your sass all summertime long . implant a few extra fig trees if you necessitate to divvy up some with the squirrels . But the majority of the harvesting will be yours for the taking with an efficient squirrel deterrent strategy in place .
How to protect fig tree from squirrels
FAQ
How do I forbid squirrels from deplete my figs ?
How do I protect my figs ?
What is eating my figs at nighttime ?
Are figs safe for squirrel ?
How to protect Ficus carica tree from squirrel ?
protect fig tree against squirrel is more unmanageable than protecting them against other animals . The best methods of protection are bird netting , wrapping common fig tree in organza bag , hold squirrels another food rootage , having cat or pawl , and keep the yard inhospitable to squirrels . raspberry netting has worked well for me .
How to protect fig tree from birds ?
Here we will discuss the professional and cons of the comply measures unremarkably carry to protect fig trees from birds : fruit protection dish ( aka organza bags ) and fowl veiling . Organza bag overview : When it comes to keeping birds off of my precious figs , my personal favourite is the use of organza bags , sometimes simply called “ yield protective covering bag . ”
What happen when squirrels eat figure ?
When squirrels eat FIG they also consume immature fruit and buds . This slows yield production for the entire tree , which has to devote its energy to healing and regrow while the yield is still maturing . Fig tree that are exposed to squirrels succumb less fruit overall , the legal age of which is stolen .
Do Ficus carica trees ask bird netting ?
Not a tenable selection for very declamatory trees . Bird clear overview : An effective and downcast - effort method of protecting common fig trees from birdie is the use of doll netting . shuttle netting is just what it sounds like : a big net that is placed over the fig ( or other yield ) tree diagram , which hold on birds from being capable to get to the fruit .
