Please add your homegrown tips to this thread if you have any . I’ve had a fig tree in my backyard for 10 years and haven’t eaten a single ripe fruit. The birds ate each and every single ripe fig. And the unripe ones were too astringent for my taste. We have a colony of squirrels running around too – so I cannot fully blame the birds. I never knew how delicious my homegrown figs were until this year, when I decided to fight them. Each fig was wrapped in a plastic bag and tied with twine. It took me an hour to do this. There was rain, sprinkler water, condensation, and other things that caused all the ripe figs inside the bags to split. But, I still got to see ripe figs for the first time ever. They were so delicious and now I know why the birds are so crazy about them. So, to stop the bags from getting wet, I switched them all out for Ziploc bags with holes punched in them. I used the zipper of the ziploc bags to secure them. This strategy worked for 4 days. But this morning, birds took my ziploc bags off and dropped them on the ground, taking four of my ripest figs with them. I am back to the drawing board looking for ideas for protecting my figs. I only get less than 50 figs a year. And ideally, if I harvested half of it, I will be a happy camper. I dont want to pick unripe figs to outsmart the birds as I have been doing. Any help??? Related Stories.
When you click “Accept,” you agree that Houzz and our partners can use cookies and other tracking tools to make content more relevant to you, show you ads that are more relevant to your interests, and make our site work better. You can read our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, or customize preferences here.
As a fig lover nothing is more frustrating than seeing your ripening figs disappear overnight picked clean by sneaky squirrels. Figs are a delicious treat, but these bushy-tailed thieves have a way of getting to the fruit before you do. It can feel like an endless battle trying to outsmart the squirrels and actually get to enjoy the figs from your own trees.
But don’t give up hope! With some clever tricks and preventative measures, you can successfully keep squirrels away and protect your fig trees. This guide will walk you through the most effective squirrel-proofing methods, so you can relax knowing your fig crop is safe and destined for your table, not the squirrels’.
Why Squirrels Love Figs So Much
Figs have characteristics that make them particularly irresistible to squirrels:
-
Sweet flavor – Figs are packed with natural sugars, which squirrels can’t resist The sweet flesh is a tasty, high-energy treat
-
Soft texture – Unlike harder fruits, figs don’t require much effort for squirrels to sink their teeth into. Their soft skin and flesh make them easy for squirrels to eat
-
Nutritional value – Figs provide beneficial nutrients like potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Squirrels need the vitamins and minerals from fruit and nuts.
-
Accessibility – The way figs grow in clusters makes them easy targets. Squirrels can grab and eat multiple figs at once off a branch.
-
Ripening times – Squirrels are most attracted to ripening and ripe figs in summer and early fall. This lines up with when they are storing fat for winter.
When a sweet, soft, nutritious fruit source is available right as squirrels are gearing up for colder weather, they will take advantage. Protecting the figs during this critical time is key.
Effective Squirrel Deterrent Methods
Keeping squirrels away from your fig trees requires using proactive deterrents and taking steps to make your fruit less accessible. Here are the top methods to try:
Use Cylindrical Barriers on Tree Trunks
Wrapping sheet metal cylinders around the bottom trunks of fig trees prevents squirrels from climbing up. The slippery surface deters their claws from gripping. Make sure the metal extends at least 3 feet up the trunk and completely circles the tree. This forces squirrels to have to take a flying leap to reach branches with figs, which they’ll think twice about.
Install Baffles on Branches
Baffles are cone-shaped plastic or metal barriers that block access to branches. Position them facing downward surrounding fruit clusters. Squirrels can’t get past the slippery baffles to walk out on limbs. Baffles are easy to install and very effective deterrents.
Try Scare Tactics
Creating frightening conditions on and around your fig trees can scare squirrels away by making them feel unsafe. Some scare options include:
- Hanging shiny pie pans that move in the wind and reflect light
- Placing owl decoys or rubber snakes in trees
- Sprinkling hot pepper powder on figs
- Using motion-activated sprinklers
The sounds, movements, and smells overwhelm squirrels’ senses so they leave. Refreshing scare tactics regularly keeps them on their toes.
Use Netting as Physical Barriers
Covering trees with netting is one of the most protective options since it physically blocks squirrels from getting to figs. Use plastic or nylon bird netting with a 1⁄2 to 1-inch hole size. Drape it over trees and secure it tightly to branches. Make sure there are no openings for squirrels to get in. Harvest figs through the netting. Remove it after harvest.
Pick Figs Promptly When Ripe
Pick figs as soon as they reach ideal ripeness, before squirrels have a chance to eat them. Check trees daily in the morning and evening during summer ripening season. Pick ripe figs right away—don’t leave them hanging on the tree for long. Enjoy fresh or preserve the figs immediately after harvesting.
Trim Back Branches Around Power Lines
Squirrels often use power lines as highways to access fig trees. Prune back any branches touching or overhanging lines to eliminate this easy path for squirrels to get onto your tree. Force them to have to take a more treacherous aerial route.
Use Small Bags to Protect Individual Figs
For small trees with limited figs you want to protect, cover each ripe fig with a small organza bag tied at the stem. The fabric mesh excludes squirrels but allows air flow. Not practical for large harvests, but helpful for prized figs on dwarfed trees.
Apply Squirrel Repellent Sprays
Sprays containing castor oil, capsaicin from peppers, or garlic oil deter squirrels with unpleasant smells and tastes. Apply them liberally on fig trees, leaves, and fruit 2-3 times per week. Safe for humans but repels squirrels on contact. Reapply after rain.
Set Up Squirrel-Proof Fencing
Installing tall fencing with a curved top edge can prevent squirrels from ever accessing your trees. Use galvanized metal or plastic fencing at least 6 feet high. Bury the bottom edge at least 1 foot underground. Make sure the top curves outward so squirrels can’t climb over.
Additional Tips for Protecting Fig Trees from Squirrels
- Keep trees well-pruned with no touching branches or debris piles squirrels can use to jump higher
- Eliminate other food sources like bird feeders and fallen fruit to make figs less appealing
- Harvest all fallen figs so squirrels aren’t attracted to fruit on the ground
- Check for damaged or gnawed figs daily and pick immediately
- Monitor for activity and watch for patterns to when squirrels target trees
- Be persistent and proactive using multiple deterrents together
- Avoid harming or killing squirrels as this is illegal and ineffective long-term
Enjoy Your Bountiful Fig Harvest
Don’t let squirrels steal your figs this season. With smart preparation and consistent monitoring, you can foil their plans and keep your fruit protected. Use several of the squirrel-proofing methods together to ensure you have all your bases covered. The effort is well worth it to be able to pop juicy ripe figs straight from your own trees into your mouth all summer long. Plant a few extra fig trees if you need to share some with the squirrels. But the majority of the harvest will be yours for the taking with an effective squirrel deterrent strategy in place.
How to protect fig tree from squirrels
FAQ
How do I prevent squirrels from eating my figs?
How do I protect my figs?
What is eating my figs at night?
Are figs safe for squirrels?
How to protect fig trees from squirrels?
Protecting fig trees against squirrels is more difficult than protecting them against other animals. The best methods of protection are bird nettings, wrapping figs in organza bags, giving squirrels another food source, having cats or dogs, and keeping the yard inhospitable to squirrels. Bird netting has worked well for me.
How to protect fig trees from birds?
Here we will discuss the pros and cons of the following measures commonly taken to protect fig trees from birds: fruit protection bags (aka organza bags) and bird netting. Organza bag overview: When it comes to keeping birds off of my precious figs, my personal favorite is the use of organza bags, sometimes simply called “fruit protection bags.”
What happens when squirrels eat figs?
When squirrels eat figs they also eat immature fruit and buds. This slows fruit production for the entire tree, which has to devote its energy to healing and regrowing while the fruit is still maturing. Fig trees that are exposed to squirrels yield less fruit overall, the majority of which is stolen.
Do fig trees need bird netting?
Not a tenable option for very large trees. Bird netting overview: An effective and lower-effort method of protecting fig trees from birds is the use of bird netting. Bird netting is just what it sounds like: a big net that is placed over the fig (or other fruit) tree, which keeps birds from being able to get to the fruit.