Squirrels drive me nuts stripping my apricot. I've considered similar devices but haven't tried them yet. This year I will continue to try to kill, trap, poison and exclude them.

I'm planning a metal collar around the base of the tree and may add something to the top of the fence they jump from. I've already cropped the tree back so that it's less attractive to leap into from overhead wires. I'll also spray them with water.

Curiously, they haven't discovered the apple, except after the fruit drop. Those they carry away and bury or stash on a tree limb.

Bon bons may be your best remedy.

Good luck,

Mark

I have been battling squirrels unsuccessfully for 3-4 years using trapping and poison- completely ineffective. I would put out 2 traps at a time and often I would find 2 squirrels in the traps and 2 more in the tree.

I think your idea of some type of structural barrier is far more likely to succeed. This year I am going to try and net my trees, all of which are less than 10 feet tall. If your trees are not too big, you may want to consider doing the same. Let us know how you get on, but I strongly recommend that you do not rely on trapping or poisoning as I really dont think it will work.

pluto54, I've learned that I needed to do multiple things to get a decent harvest.

1. irradicate dreys on my property
2. lower squirrel population in winter using bon bons
3. install tangle trap on tree trunks and fence tops that squirrels use to access the fruit trees.
4. install sheet metal tree barriers
5. twist tie bird netting up under the tree canopy
6. use traps
7. use pellet gun
8. set up a Deer fence around some fruit trees

Aceofspades,
It sounds like you have similar circumstances as me. I have had to develop all sorts of measures to battle critters. I have two q's for you if you have the time. 1) What are dreys? 2) what are tangle traps? I am always looking for new ideas to foil the critters and make the neighbors think I have completely lost it. Thanks for your help.

Scape

scaperaustin, you must have missed the funny threads on squirrels. Dreys are squirrel nests. I had 6 squirrel nests always bringing me a fresh supply of squirrels. The bon bons wiped out the breeders this winter. The key is getting the breeders in winter instead of trying to control multitudes in spring. The last drey fell out of the back corner tree in February. Tangle trap is an sticky insect adhesive put on plastic apples to catch Apple maggot flies. Squeeze some on top of power lines and chain link fences, raiding squirrels can't run on the top. There is also a tree banding kit called tangle foot. Tangle foot gets brushed on a paper band wrapped around the tree trunk. I'm pretty good when I tree band and net under the plum trees. Squirrels keep trying to get in so I got to check and make adjustments almost every day when the fruit is getting ripe.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tangle trap

I also have squirrel problems. What are bon bons?

If you search this forum for "squirrel bon bons" you will find lots of information all about them. They are basically tasty little treats containing plaster of Paris that when the squirrels eat them, they quickly expire. -Glenn

That is a good idea with squirrel candy, now is there any thing like that for crows ?

Thanks Kenny

Hey Aceofspades,
Your right I must have missed some of the squirrel threads. Thank you so much for the info. I have had to come up with lots of wacky contraptions to battle the critters here. They usually involve sheet metal and nets or homemade bird bags.

Thanks again,
Scape