how to keep squirrels from eating fruits in our garden? (Austin: 2013, neighborhood)

[austin_buyer]

The fruit trees in our backyard are reaping some this year but before we get to pluck them the squirrels are eating them. Looking for some suggestions on some effective mechanisms to discourage the squirrels from visiting our backyard and feasting on the fruit trees in our backyard.

The fruit trees are close to our fence as well making it easy for them to jump onto the trees without climbing the trees.

[hound 109]

Which begs the question....is CFS (chicken fried squirrel) best served with cream or brown gravy?

[ScoPro]

Brown gravy, but Hound you beat me to it - Ruger 10/22.

[CptnRn]

We had problems with squirrels and grackles taking bites out of our peaches, ruining most of the fruit. There was pretty much nothing we could do about it other then covering the entire tree with netting, which is not easy to do and looks like crap. Between the ruining of the fruit and the mess the falling fruit left on the ground and the flies it attracted, we finally cut the two peach trees down.

[Aggie]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

Brown gravy, but Hound you beat me to it - Ruger 10/22.

This ... and brown gravy with a little paprika.

Also, a couple "outside" cats that are fed a small maintenance diet will have some effect on the squirrels, but will have an even greater effect (detrimental) on birds.

[janejanejanejanejane]

nets....

[Austin97]

squirrels are territorial if you kill the ones in your yard it will be awhile before more move in. You can kill them with the following kind of snare.

Get a log/branch about 4-6 ft long (garden log will work).

Get some florist wire

wrap the wire around the log so that it is secure at the other end make a noose loop. The noose should be about 3 inches wide

place 3-5 of these on the log with the loops centered on the log

lean the log against the tree at about a 45 degree angle

Squirrels will run up the log because it is easier than climbing the tree. Their head will enter the noose. When the noose touches their shoulder their instinct will be to jump off the log causing the loop to close around their neck


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhLBXC4pz-c

[ksoviero]

Originally Posted by Austin97

squirrels are territorial if you kill the ones in your yard it will be awhile before more move in. You can kill them with the following kind of snare.

Get a log/branch about 4-6 ft long (garden log will work).

Get some florist wire

wrap the wire around the log so that it is secure at the other end make a noose loop. The noose should be about 3 inches wide

place 3-5 of these on the log with the loops centered on the log

lean the log against the tree at about a 45 degree angle

Squirrels will run up the log because it is easier than climbing the tree. Their head will enter the noose. When the noose touches their shoulder their instinct will be to jump off the log causing the loop to close around their neck


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhLBXC4pz-c

Of course, you will hence forth be known as the crazy lady/guy who hangs squirrels, in your neighborhood.

ETA: And hopefully you don't have children, or those will be some expensive therapy sessions.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by ksoviero

Of course, you will hence forth be known as the crazy lady/guy who hangs squirrels, in your neighborhood.

ETA: And hopefully you don't have children, or those will be some expensive therapy sessions.

Hang 'Em High!!

Pesky, destructive rodent varmints!

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by ksoviero

Of course, you will hence forth be known as the crazy lady/guy who hangs squirrels, in your neighborhood.

ETA: And hopefully you don't have children, or those will be some expensive therapy sessions.

Lots of rural people do this and have their kids help to field dress the squirrel in preparation for eating them.

I bet kids who really understand these things are more grounded and more appreciative of the food they do have and actually have less therapy needs than kids who are divorced from the realities of life.