Living in the woods provides endless entertainment. I get to share my space with a variety of quirky, unique and beautiful creatures.
The squirrels are actually one of my favorites. They are the tiny daredevils of the canopy, leaping fearlessly from one branch to the next, scaling up tree bark to escape predators and find a reprieve from the dangers below (usually my Chiweenies) and stashing away acorns and other goodies for later.
My daughter is endlessly amused with one squirrel in particular. We call it the crazy squirrel. This one is particularly brazen in its pursuits and has barely a nub for a tail left. Whether it’s darting in and out of our dogs’ house to help itself to the food dish or making a mad dash for the apple tree with both dogs hot on what’s left of its tail, this squirrel is always pulling off the most jaw-dropping heists and escapes.
And it’s not easily deterred. We’ve tried keeping it off the apple tree by placing pie pans around the trunk and branches. We’ve tried sending the dogs after it. We’ve even tried spraying a mixture of cayenne pepper and water on the tree to keep it off. But it likes apples.
There are a lot of strategies and considerations for keeping squirrels off of fruit trees. Learn more about the most popular ones.
Metal tree baffles can be successful at keeping squirrels off of trees. This was the idea behind the pie pans; however, there are two reasons this wasn’t a successful strategy.
Although baffles aren’t the answer in my situation, they could work for you. You can try using either cone baffles or metal tube baffles to protect your trees.
If you use cone baffles, make sure they are at least 2 feet in diameter and the cone is installed so that it slopes downward.
If you choose a tube baffle, you’ll need metal ducting that’s wider in diameter than the trunk of your tree and about 2-3 feet long. You’ll want to install it 5-6 feet off the ground — the same as the cone baffle — and make sure the top is closed off, so no squirrels can slip underneath it.
You might also consider rubbing petroleum jelly or another oil substance on the outside of the baffle to discourage squirrels further. They don’t like oily or sticky substances. However, it may not be a good idea to put such a substance directly on tree bark because it can harm the tree.
Netting is another strategy for keeping squirrels off of fruit trees. However, its effectiveness is limited.
If you have more than one apple tree, you can try protecting one tree with netting and sacrificing the other. Generally, squirrels will leave the protected tree alone and eat the easier-to-access apples. If you’re in the same boat I am and you only have one apple tree, netting probably won’t be very effective because squirrels are able to chew through bird netting.
In one-apple-tree situations, you could try taking it a step further and construct a sort of cage around your tree, using T-posts and hardware cloth to exclude squirrels. However, it would be a lot more work to enclose your tree entirely this way.
The capsaicin in hot peppers can deter squirrels. The only downfall is having to reapply it every time it rains. I think that’s why I’ve had limited success spraying my apple tree with a hot pepper mixture.
You can try commercial products or make your own. To make your own hot pepper spray, mix a small bottle of hot sauce with a gallon of water. You can apply it to your fruit trees using a spray bottle.
Figs are a delicious treat that both humans and squirrels love. However squirrels often steal the ripe figs right off the tree before you get a chance to harvest them. Protecting your fig trees from these sneaky thieves requires using proactive deterrents and taking steps to make your fruit less accessible to squirrels. This comprehensive guide provides tips on keeping squirrels away so you can relax knowing your fig crop is destined for your table.
Why Are Figs So Irresistible to Squirrels?
Figs have certain characteristics that make them particularly irresistible to squirrels:
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Sweet flavor – Figs are packed with natural sugars that squirrels find hard to resist. The sweet flesh is a tasty, high-energy treat.
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Soft texture – Unlike harder fruits, figs don’t require much effort for squirrels to sink their teeth into. Their soft skin and flesh make them easy picking.
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Nutritional value – Figs provide beneficial nutrients like potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants that squirrels need.
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Accessibility – Figs grow in clusters, making them easy targets. Squirrels can grab multiple figs off a branch at once.
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Ripening season – Squirrels are most attracted to ripening and ripe figs in summer/early fall when they are fattening up for winter.
When a nutritious fruit source is readily available just when squirrels need to bulk up for winter, they will certainly take advantage. Protecting figs during this critical ripening period is key.
Effective Squirrel Deterrent Methods
Here are the top methods to deter squirrels from your fig trees:
Use Cylindrical Barriers on Tree Trunks
Wrapping sheet metal cylinders around the bottom of fig tree trunks prevents squirrels from climbing up. The slippery surface deters their claws from gripping. Extend the metal at least 3 feet up the trunk in a complete circle to force squirrels to leap further to reach branches and fruit.
Install Baffles on Branches
Cone-shaped plastic or metal baffles block squirrel access to branches. Position them facing downward surrounding fruit. Squirrels can’t navigate the slippery baffles to walk out on limbs. Baffles are very effective deterrents and easy to install.
Employ Scare Tactics
Creating frightening conditions overwhelms squirrels’ senses so they leave. Try hanging shiny pie pans, rubber snakes in trees, owl decoys, or motion-activated sprinklers. Refresh scare tactics regularly to keep squirrels on their toes.
Use Netting as Physical Barriers
Bird netting with 1/2 to 1-inch holes physically blocks squirrels from getting to figs. Drape netting over trees and secure it tightly. Ensure there are no openings for squirrels to enter. Harvest figs through the net. Remove netting after harvest.
Pick Figs Promptly When Ripe
Harvest figs as soon as they ripen before squirrels eat them. Check trees daily in the morning and evening during summer and remove ripe figs right away. Enjoy fresh or preserve immediately after picking.
Trim Branches Around Power Lines
Prune back any branches touching power lines to eliminate this easy highway for squirrels to access your tree. Force them to take a more difficult aerial route.
Use Small Bags to Protect Individual Figs
For small trees, cover each ripe fig with a small organza bag tied at the stem to exclude squirrels. Allow air flow but prevent access. Ideal for prized figs on dwarfed trees.
Apply Squirrel Repellent Sprays
Sprays with castor oil, capsaicin, or garlic oil deter squirrels with unpleasant smells/tastes. Spray trees, leaves, and fruit 2-3 times weekly. Reapply after rain. Safe for humans but repels squirrels.
Install Squirrel-Proof Fencing
Fencing at least 6 feet high with a curved, smooth top edge prevents squirrels from accessing trees. Use galvanized metal or plastic. Bury the bottom edge 1 foot underground. The top should curve outward.
Additional Tips for Protecting Fig Trees from Squirrels
- Keep trees well-pruned with no touching branches or debris piles that aid access
- Eliminate alternate food sources like bird feeders to make figs less appealing
- Pick up fallen figs daily to avoid attracting squirrels
- Check for and immediately remove damaged figs
- Monitor for activity patterns to know when squirrels target trees
- Persistently use multiple deterrents together for best results
- Avoid harming or killing squirrels, as this is illegal and ineffective long-term
Enjoy Your Protected Fig Harvest!
With smart preparation and vigilant monitoring, you can prevent squirrels from stealing your figs. Employ a multi-pronged approach using several deterrent methods together to cover all your bases. The effort pays off with the ability to pick ripe, delicious figs straight from your trees and enjoy them fresh or preserved. You may need to share some figs with the squirrels still. But with an effective squirrel deterrence strategy, the majority will be safe for your harvest and consumption!
Frequently Asked Questions About Protecting Figs from Squirrels
How do I prevent squirrels from eating my figs?
You can wrap netting around the canopy of fig trees to exclude squirrels. Gather it closely around the trunk and tie securely. Check daily for trapped animals.
What is eating my figs at night?
Opossums, raccoons, rats, and mice eat figs at night. They can climb trees to reach the fruit.
How do I protect my figs?
Wrapping each fig in a small organza bag tied at the stem keeps birds and squirrels away. It’s less work than installing netting over the entire tree.
Are figs safe for squirrels?
Avoid giving squirrels figs, along with dates, dried fruits, fruit juice, persimmons, plums, prunes, and raisins. Pits and seeds can be toxic to them.
How to protect fig trees from squirrels?
Bird netting, organza fruit bags, providing alternate food sources, using dogs/cats, and keeping yards inhospitable to squirrels help protect fig trees. Netting has worked very well for me.
How to protect fig trees from birds?
Fruit protection bags and bird netting both help protect figs from birds. Bags involve less work but netting is effective for larger trees. Assess your specific situation to choose the right method.
What happens when squirrels eat figs?
Squirrels eating figs slows fruit production. The tree must regrow stolen immature figs and buds, yielding less overall fruit. Most figs on unprotected trees get stolen by squirrels.
Do fig trees need bird netting?
Bird netting is an effective, low-effort way to protect fig trees from birds. Place the net over the entire tree to prevent birds from accessing fruit. Harvest figs through the netting.
Using multiple deterrents aggressively is key to outsmarting clever squirrels. With a thoughtful protection plan in place, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful fig harvest for your enjoyment.
Mint and other aromatic plants
A lot of animals are repelled by the scent of mint and squirrels are one of them. You could try planting some mint under your fruit trees or make a spray similar to the hot pepper spray using peppermint or spearmint essential oils and water. Again, you’ll have to reapply the spray periodically to ensure it’s effective.
Marigolds, nasturtiums and mustard are other plants you can try planting around your fruit trees to create a barrier squirrels are less inclined to cross.