The title says it all. I have loads of figs growing this year, but the blasted squirrels are gnawing away at them before I can pick 'em. I've been using fruit nets, which I place around the individual figs, to protect them, but this just results in the figs falling off or the little critters pulling and gnawing at them until the fruit is destroyed.

Any ideas how I can deter these creatures from destroying my fruit? Open to any and all suggestions. 

Thank you in advance.  

How about a few pythons?

Got the same problem ... damn squirrels & birds.

 

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Got the same problem ... damn squirrels & birds.

 

What, if anything, are you doing about it?

5 minutes ago, djayz said:

What, if anything, are you doing about it?

Netting helps a bit, but when move to new plot of land, think we're going to go with enclosing a whole area with wire (wire 'greenhouse;????), since wrapping every one is a bit of a hassle.  Yields getting better (tomatoes, strawberries, figs) every season for all fruits & veggies.  Just bought a 1/4 rai for 'farming'.  Going to screen in a good portion of it.

 

 

 

How are the squirrels getting at the fruit? if they are climbing up the trunk? can you put baffle plates on the trunks.

You could try the cage traps ,baited with a fig , I knew someone who caught a mongoose in one, so they go work, if you catch one let it go a mile up the road. 

Are figs a cash crop? I get an enormous  crop one tree in London  but the wasps  get them.

Squirrels at my nuts.

22 minutes ago, kickstart said:

How are the squirrels getting at the fruit? if they are climbing up the trunk? can you put baffle plates on the trunks.

You could try the cage traps ,baited with a fig , I knew someone who caught a mongoose in one, so they go work, if you catch one let it go a mile up the road. 

Have also been thinking of getting cage traps and baiting them. Don't think I'll be releasing any of them "up the road". 

Cage traps work. We have caught as many as 3 in a week. Bait with any fruit other than the fig. They like variety.

Bird netting. Haven't tried the trunk plates on the coconuts. They eat holes to get the the milk.

EDIT put the traps up in the trees. They do not like to be on the ground.

11 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Cage traps work. We have caught as many as 3 in a week. Bait with any fruit other than the fig. They like variety.

Bird netting. Haven't tried the trunk plates on the coconuts. They eat holes to get the the milk.

EDIT put the traps up in the trees. They do not like to be on the ground.

Animal torture. Great

4 hours ago, CLW said:

Animal torture. Great

Sorry, but I read that as 'animal relocation',  though not a fan myself, but better than some alternatives.

You might also lose a few figs, but worth a go.

 

May 16, 2564 BE

 

Squirrel Proofing Fruit Trees - How To Keep A Squirrel Out Of ...

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com › fruits › fegen › sq...

 

 

 

 

Maybe some useful ideas here

Several strategically  placed rat glue traps will lessen the destruction.

9 hours ago, bbko said:

Several strategically  placed rat glue traps will lessen the destruction.

Something I will definitely try! 

10 hours ago, bbko said:

Several strategically  placed rat glue traps will lessen the destruction.

nah, not the best way, as means killing them.  cage and relocate.

On 6/11/2022 at 7:06 PM, KhunLA said:

nah, not the best way, as means killing them.  cage and relocate.

No way! The villagers will have them for dinner, no problem.