How to Protect Peaches from the Squirrels?
 

I have a young peach tree in the back yard. Last year was the first year for it to have fruit, and it was loaded down with about 25 nice looking peaches. I had some Japanese Beetles (not that there's anything wrong with being Japanese) and solved that problem quickly with Seven powder. I thought I was set for some nice peaches.

Just before they were ripe for best flavor, the dang squirrels stripped them all out of the tree.

Is there anything that can be done to protect peach tree fruit from squirrels? I'd like to shoot all the squirrels but that would be just about impossible because the population comes from a large expanse of woods.

I think I have seen paper bags put over fruit somewhere and wonder if anyone has tried that with success on peaches?

Ken300D

My dad has a bunch of fruit trees, and he heaps mesh netting around the base of each tree. There is a nice, fluffy, two foot high and two foot wide ring around each of them and it keeps squirrels off remarkably well. When they encounter the tangled mesh they totally freak out and don't come back.

Netting over the tree. Personally, I would take the opportunity to relax with a lawn chair and a 22. MMMMM, squirrel stew with cooked peaches.;)

Tom

Isn't it always the case - the animals come take all your fruit just when it's perfectly ripe! I have cherry trees and it seems like they all wait for the exact second it's perfect then it's a feeding frenzy and it's stripped in a matter of hours... :(

Anyway, is the tree under other trees that they can jump from? If not, squirrels can do about a 4' vertical leap and if there's no branches lower than 4', you can put a metal shield around the tree and they won't be able to climb up the trunk.

"Squirell Cam." Or maybe a sign that reads "Kaufman Furs we're looking for a few good squirells."

Leash dog to tree.

Interesting that you should mention "leash dog to tree". I also have a nice hickory nut tree in the back yard that is within the domain of my 100-lb German Shepherd. Not that this is a particularly desireable nut for human consumption, but the squirrels love them. The dog certainly protects the tree and chases away the squirrels attempting to approach it. That works until nap time. Squirrels seem to be able to stay awake longer than dogs.

The peach tree is away from other trees and the squirrels have to approach it across the ground and jump up into it, so I'll try the mesh or netting or razor wire or something like that. I understand the netting over the tree, but I'm not quite sure I know what is meant by "tangled mesh" and would appreciate a link or picture.

Ken300D

Tie a dog to the tree.:D

Hire a falconer.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...hicsmaller.jpg

I think that's an eagle.

she'll be spread eagle

I know ... it was for added drama.:D I don't think you'd find a bird handler like that either.:eek::D


You'd end up with this guy :D:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QTCRYBRN1M

I recommend an Airforce Talon SS air rifle with a decent scope. The SS version has a LEGAL integral silencer that keeps the noise to a minimum. I use one of these in 22cal to keep the squirrels out of my yard. Very accurate, quiet, etc. The squirrels here appear to be territorial. Once I eliminate the local population it takes several weeks to a month for them to be replaced. This means the hunting is sporadic and easy to keep up with. It works for me. RT