I think that this would work on fig trees too. I've achieved partial control of squirrels on a semi-dwarf Montmorency cherry tree (about 12'x12') by painting 3-4" bands of Tanglefoot on main branches (sometimes 2 bands on a branch), total on tree about 7. The "critters" hate it. So do I. Sometimes when gardening around it I forget and stick my hand in it. Have to go directly into the house (do not pass go) and get it off with Goo Gone. I paint the Tanglefoot directly on the branches and no harm done. Do not know whether I could get away with this on a fig.

This does not deter the birds.

Also, I once used netting for cucumbers to climb up to the "T" of the clothesline support but the netting was way too long. Not wanting to cut it because I might want to use the whole net another year, I just left the excess in a roll at the bottom. When I went to put the net away at the end of the season there were 2 little chipmunk mummies wrapped up in it. For what it's worth. Those little rodents can be pests - still, that's a bad way to go even for a rodent.

Cath