Since the last couple of years, I have planted a lot of fruit trees (especially bananas) in my backyard. How do you keep these garden pests from your harvesting your fruit before you do? There are at least several known species here that I think might disturb my harvest--raccoons, squirrels and opossums for sure. Although my bananas haven't fruited yet, last year, when my young peach tree was fruiting, it was completely cleaned out before I got to them. This makes me wonder what would happen when the bananas come. A couple of rats also sneaked into my garage, but they got trapped. One day, I also saw one running into my yard from my neighbor's. I heard that if you see one rat, that means there's a gazillion out there. Is it true? And I also heard that rats love bananas. I live on a busy main street. I don't know if that is the reason why I've got so many of these unwanted visitors. Besides, there are also numerous sightings of southern black racers. And every time I see them, they get larger. Yikes! I don't want to think about them any more. Help, I need help here. Any body has any idea here how to deter these creepy critters from making my yard their frequent stop if not having already made it their home?