Protect Your Home Orchard from Marauding Critters

Most gardeners and home orchard growers have some problems with animals eating their fruit. There are many suggested remedies for different animals, all of which have worked for someone, sometime. Here is a collection of recommendations. I have found that some years, certain deterrents work, and some years they don't. Animals who want your delicious fruit will quickly adapt to your tricks, so you need to remain flexible and adaptable right back at 'em . If one tactic doesn't work, you can switch to another.

Human scent is a popular deterrent. I have found that this isn't always effective, because someone is usually out working around plants and trees quite often, especially as harvest time draws near, and there is plenty of human scent around. I believe the local deer are used to our scent, and maybe even expect to find it. Wire will keep deer and other animals at bay. Regular fence wire, cut into sections and laid out flat on the ground under your fruit trees will prevent many animals from getting close to your trees. Deer and possums, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and porcupines will NOT walk over the wire. The wire fencing I refer to is the mesh type that is made with vertical and horizontal crossed wires. It comes as a welded or twisted mesh, and either type is good for this purpose. In fact, if you can find an old fence that is being torn out and replaced, this is the perfect way to reuse the old wire. This does require some effort when mowing, since you will have to lift the wire and mow under it, then replace it. However, you can wait and put the wire down only during the ripening stage of your fruit, so it is a mowing challenge for only a few weeks. You can always use a string trimmer and "mow" whatever grows up through the fence, too, without having to move it until you are ready to harvest.

The wire method also works during the winter, when deer and opossums will eat tender twigs and bud tips from fruit trees. Porcupines are known for stripping off bark, and they also will not walk on the wire. Squirrels can be tricky, since they jump from tree to tree and can avoid anything you try from the ground.

If fence wire panels are not practical for you, try the tried and true method of suspending two aluminum pie pans from a string. Tie them together through holes punched near the rim so that the top openings face each other. They'll clack around in the wind, making a noise that annoys animals (and humans). Hanging old CD's is supposed to frighten away animals because they reflect light as they move in the breeze.

If you have problems with small animals like chipmunks and mice climbing the trunks of your trees and chewing fruit, bark and twigs, you can surround the trunk with sheet metal "pipes". For small trees or dwarf trees, sections of duct pipe will work. Simply place it around the trunk and crimp the edges together. It needs to be tall enough so that the pesky critters can't jump over it, usually 24" or so is good.

Have you seen the neck collars used to keep dogs or cats from chewing or licking an injury? They fasten around the animal's neck like a collar, and they look like a large funnel. Plastic and weatherproof, these are great devices to keep small animals from climbing tree trunks. If small animals have learned to climb a sheet metal pipe, attach a pet funnel to the top of the pipe. Secure it so that it creates an "A" shape, and it is nearly impossible to climb. There are similar squirrel baffles, but they are usually smaller, sized to go around a post. Another simple method is to make a "tent" around the tree trunk with aluminum foil.

Solar lights and solar motion detectors can be set up wherever you need them. Situate them around your garden, and the on-off flash of lights is quite effective against nocturnal animals. Motion detectors can also be connected to sound devices which will work day or night. A combination of sound and light devices in your garden will keep most pesky critters away. Move them around to different places in your garden every few days so even the cleverest bandit will become confused.

And don't forget the most fun method of all. Make a scarecrow to stand watch for you!

Note of Caution: Many of the netting products sold to keep birds and animals away from trees are actually quite dangerous to them. People also have been known to string monofilament fishing line through the branches of their trees and around the edge of their garden to try to thwart pests; it is also dangerous. Animals often become entangled in these and cannot get loose. They will struggle until they injure themselves and die, or die from exposure or starvation.