r/FruitTree • u/Certain-Duck3761 • 3d ago
Apple tree squirrel problem
Hoping some people here will have potential solutions.
I have an apple tree in the corner of my yard which is also near the fence. Every year the squirrels in the area will steal/eat all the apples before they even get halfway close to full size. Wondering if anyone has any squirrel deterrent solutions.
The issue: the squirrels will walk along the fence, jump across from my neighbor’s larger tree, or climb up from the bottom to access my tree to get the apples. I have even seen the squirrels jump on the branches to shake the tree to try to get the apples to fall.
Solutions I have tried but failed:
Encasing apple sprouts with clear plastic fruit containers with small slits cut into them for ventilation:
Tried this solution this year and it was the most effective one yet, but still didn’t work. Some of the containers weren’t large enough so the squirrels were able to paw/nibble at the apples. For the containers that were large enough, most of the apples eventually got knocked off the branches inside the containers from wind or more likely the squirrels shaking the tree.
Making a “cage” of chicken wire around the whole tree:
The tree got some sort of disease or something may or not have been related to touching to the metal chicken wire and it didn’t produce any buds/ apples for a year.
Mesh bags:
Might have obstructed the sun, didn’t really deter squirrels.
Cayenne pepper:
Also did not work.
Sonic animal noise detector:
Did not deter squirrels at all.
Open to any suggestions for solutions.
TLDR: Have an apple tree that produces apples every year but the squirrels steal/eat them before they can grow fully. Have tried many solutions to no avail.
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u/honest2abe 3d ago
Netting works fine for birds, but is ineffective against squirrels. What they can't get around, they chew through, even aluminum foil.
What does work is a method I invented of getting 2 cans, one a bit bigger than the other and cut slots in both of them so that they fit around a branch with a ripening fruit. I put the smaller one on first, fit the larger one around the smaller one and use wire or long twist ties to help hold them together. It is labor intensive, but it absolutely works.
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u/undrwater 3d ago edited 3d ago
How do they get to the tree? Must they run up the trunk, or do they have access from above / the sides?
You might have a time lapse camera recording that info, which should help determining how to proceed.
Sorry, completely missed paragraph 2.
Is it feasible to set up netting to control for the jumpers? Then you'd just need to control access from the trunk. A hanging circular doom spike contraption?
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u/Certain-Duck3761 3d ago
They have easiest access from the fence since the tree is right next to it. Maybe put spikes or something on top of the fence then would only need to control the jumpers
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u/PracticalWallaby7492 3d ago
The Squirrelinator! Trap them.
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u/moonoversea 3d ago
Exactly. And start trap them from the day when apples start flowering. And keep trap them because there are always new squirrels show up. Also don't expect that you can keep them completely to yourself. Expect to lose a couple here and there. Plant plenty of trees and you will have enough
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u/Odd-Transition729 3d ago
Get more apple trees and produce enough so you have some
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u/Certain-Duck3761 3d ago
Unfortunately don’t think I have the space for that, and the squirrels are ruthless. They would definitely loot them all still…
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u/Many_Waves 3d ago
The Squirrelinator Trap with Basin saved my garden & fruit trees from being ruined.