Damn squirrels

[Rubes]

Anybody know how to keep squirrels off of an apricot tree? Damn things are destroying all of my apricots. It’s mass apricot genocide in my yard. Everything I’ve read online is people giving up after trying various things. Anyone here have any luck?

 

[Just Jack]

[Simon]

Are there any other trees near it or do they need to access it from the ground?

[US Egg]

All I know is catch and release traps are for the brave.
 

Trying to free live little bunnies and squirrels in them spazzing is terrifying.

Edited 13 hours ago by US Egg

[Rubes]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

Are there any other trees near it or do they need to access it from the ground?

No other trees nearby, but the neighbor’s garage is right next to it. So they have access to it from there, and from the ground. I could probably trim it enough to make the access from the garage difficult, but I’m not 100% sure.

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Rubes

[Simon]

19 minutes ago, Rubes said:

No other trees nearby, but the neighbor’s garage is right next to it. So they have access to it from there, and from the ground. I could probably trim it enough to make the access from the garage difficult, but I’m not 100% sure.

 

 

If they can only get to it from ground level, you can wrap some sheet metal around the trunk and grease it up. Make sure the top of the sheet metal is at least 5' off the ground.

Trimming it back from the garage might be tricky, those little schnitzels will jump 10' laterally from one tree to another, even a bit more if they are jumping a little downwards.

I know they make tree nets you can wrap the upper part of the tree in, but that might be enough of a pain your arse to make the squeeze more than the juice is worth. 

[Rubes]

2 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

If they can only get to it from ground level, you can wrap some sheet metal around the trunk and grease it up. Make sure the top of the sheet metal is at least 5' off the ground.

Trimming it back from the garage might be tricky, those little schnitzels will jump 10' laterally from one tree to another, even a bit more if they are jumping a little downwards.

Yeah, it’s damn near impossible. The trunk splits only about 3 feet above the ground, so the sheet metal thing would be hard. I’m thinking this might just be a loss, hope for some fruit to make it through the onslaught.

 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

7 hours ago, Rubes said:

Damn squirrels

 

[boyst]

use this

 

You can take aluminum flashign and wrap it around the lower base of the trunk. Squirrels can jump several feet, so if the tree is big enough you need it to start about 3-4' from the bottom and run it over 4' up. otherwise they take a running start up the tree and jump the flashing.

 

If this does not work and it is a smaller tree it might be difficult due to the squirrels being able to jump to the tree from the ground.

 

It is a temporary and very untrustworthy but a bird net can work during peak season but they will chew through it in a week.

 

if the tree is big enough and not too close to the ground you can make a ring for the tree and a cone protector. Ideally you can do this inverse and i've seen more than one style but can't find any pictures.

 

 

[Augie]

Make a nice home for them in your attic. They will leave the apricots alone. 

 

We’ve been down that road, and the people next door not only had to have them removed, but they had to replace all their insulation to the tune of about $10k with all repairs included. Aren’t they just so cute! 

[Simon]

8 hours ago, Rubes said:

Yeah, it’s damn near impossible. The trunk splits only about 3 feet above the ground, so the sheet metal thing would be hard. I’m thinking this might just be a loss, hope for some fruit to make it through the onslaught.

 

 

Damn, I've got nothing that isn't cruel or stupid.

Do you have any neighborhood cats you could entice to hang around the immediate area of the tree?

[DD4Bills]

TIL that apricots grow on trees.

[Fleezoid]

I have squirrels in my attic. It drives me nuts. Unfortunately, I'm replacing my roof and soffits in about a month in a half. I say unfortunately because of the $$$$$. On the plus side, it should eliminate any access points. Until then, I found these things online which I am going to put in various spots. I just got them so I don't know if they work.  According to reviews, which I take with a grain of salt, they work pretty well in attics and gardens. I'm sure a bigger challenge to make them work on trees. 

 

[CookieG]

Good luck

 

 

[That's No Moon]

36 minutes ago, DD4Bills said:

TIL that apricots grow on trees.

I have a lot of questions.

1 hour ago, Simon said:

 

Damn, I've got nothing that isn't cruel or stupid.

Do you have any neighborhood cats you could entice to hang around the immediate area of the tree?

There is a reason that farmers shoot wildlife year round.

[Simon]

40 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

There is a reason that farmers shoot wildlife year round.

 

Yeah, because they're protecting their livelihoods.

And they live on farms.

Are you suggesting he start tossing $40 worth of high velocity Winchester cartridges around the neighborhood to protect $13 worth of fruit?

The efficacy of that plan may be somewhat lacking...

[4merper4mer]

10 hours ago, Rubes said:

Yeah, it’s damn near impossible. The trunk splits only about 3 feet above the ground, so the sheet metal thing would be hard. I’m thinking this might just be a loss, hope for some fruit to make it through the onslaught.

 

That’s a nice garage your neighbor has there.  It would be a shame if something happened to it.

[Simon]

1 minute ago, 4merper4mer said:

That’s a nice garage your neighbor has there.  It would be a shame if something happened to it.

 

I'm guessing hamsters don't like squirrels?

[Rubes]

1 hour ago, CookieG said:

Good luck

 

 

 

That was hilarious! And, I'm doomed.

 

[US Egg]

You got to think like a squirrel. Get inside his pelt and crawl around for awhile.