Squirrels are cute but can cause a lot of damage especially to fruit trees. These smart animals often make gardeners upset by eating part of the fruits and breaking branches. In this article we will share easy and kind ways to keep squirrels away from your fruit trees and we will talk about simple tricks and professional help. Let’s learn how to protect your garden
Why Squirrels Target Fruit Trees
Squirrels like fruit trees because they give them a lot of food and a safe place to stay. The sweet smell of ripe fruit and the easy to reach branches make fruit trees a perfect home for squirrels. They use fruit trees not only for food but also to build nests which keeps them safe from other animals that hunt them.
In places with many squirrels fruit trees often lose their fruit before people can pick it and this can be a problem for gardeners and people who grow fruit at home. To solve this it helps to understand why squirrels act this way so you can find ways to keep them away.
Signs Squirrels Are Damaging Your Fruit Trees
Finding squirrel damage early can save you a lot of trouble. Some signs are half eaten fruits on the ground or hanging on the tree. You may also see twigs, leaves or tree bark that squirrels have chewed. Squirrels often take tree bark to make their nests which can harm the tree.
Another sign is seeing squirrels in your garden often. If you see them climbing your trees they are probably looking for fruit or making a nest. Noticing these signs early helps you stop the problem before it gets worse.
Natural Deterrents to Keep Squirrels Away
Using natural ways to keep squirrels away is good for the environment. Some plants like mint, garlic and marigolds have strong smells that squirrels do not like so you can plant these around your fruit trees to keep squirrels away. You can also make sprays at home with chili powder, vinegar or essential oils and put them on the tree trunks and branches.
Another good idea is to clean up fallen fruits and trash around the tree. Squirrels like the smell of old or rotting fruit. Keeping your garden clean can make squirrels less interested in your fruit trees.
Physical Barriers for Tree & Shrub Control
Putting up barriers is a good way to stop squirrels so you can use mesh or netting to cover the whole tree. This protects the fruit but still lets sunlight and air in. Tree guards and trunk wraps are also helpful to stop squirrels from climbing the tree.
If these ideas are hard for you to do or if squirrels keep coming back you can call professional tree & shrub control services. They can give you special solutions to keep squirrels away and keep your trees healthy.
Using Squirrel Feeders as a Diversion
Giving squirrels other food can sometimes work better than trying to keep them away completely. You can put feeders with nuts or seeds far from your fruit trees because this can keep squirrels busy and less interested in your fruit.
Make sure the feeders are far from the trees you want to protect. Squirrels will always go to the food that is easiest to reach. By controlling where they eat you can keep your fruit trees safe and live peacefully with the squirrels.
When to Call a Professional for Tree & Shrub Control
If you cannot stop squirrels on your own it might be time to call experts. A lot of squirrel activity or big tree damage can be hard to handle by yourself. Professional tree & shrub control services can check your problem and give you good ideas to fix it.
These experts use safe methods to keep your trees healthy and protect other animals. Their help can save you time and work especially if there are many squirrels or they keep coming back.
Conclusion
In the end, this comprehensive guide provides you with the tools and strategies to stop squirrels from eating your fruit trees. With a combination of natural remedies, modern technology and professional advice and services you can protect your garden and enjoy your gathering.
