As an apple grower, few things are more frustrating than walking out to your orchard and finding half-eaten apples scattered on the ground. Squirrels love apples just as much as we do, and they will go to great lengths to get their paws on your precious fruit But never fear – with some determination and the right strategies, you can outsmart these furry little thieves and protect your apple harvest.
In this article we will explore 10 simple yet effective ways to safeguard your apple trees from squirrels so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Whether you have a small backyard orchard or a large commercial operation these tips will help give you the upper hand over those apple-munching squirrels!
Why Protecting Apples from Squirrels is Important
Before jumping into the strategies, let’s first go over why it’s so important to protect your apples from squirrels in the first place. Here are three key reasons:
-
Prevent Loss of Fruit – Squirrels are capable of stripping trees of nearly all their apples, This translates to significant economic losses if you sell your apples commercially
-
Maintain Tree Health – Squirrels don’t just eat the apples, they also chew on twigs and branches. This can damage and weaken the tree over time.
-
Prevent Disease Transmission – Squirrels can potentially transmit diseases to your apple trees. The last thing you want is an orchard full of sick trees.
10 Tips to Protect Apples from Squirrels
Okay, now let’s get right to the good stuff – how to outsmart those pesky squirrels! Here are 10 of the most effective tactics:
1. Install Barriers
The most straightforward approach is to install physical barriers that prevent squirrels from accessing the apples. Some options include:
-
Wire Mesh – Encircle tree trunks with 1⁄4” hardware cloth or wire mesh. This blocks squirrels from climbing up.
-
Metal Sheeting – Wrap tree trunks in a 4”+ wide metal sheeting. Again, this denies climbing access.
-
Tube Guards – Place plastic or metal tubing around trunks to make them too slippery to climb.
-
Netting – Drape bird netting or row cover fabric over trees to create a protective canopy.
2. Use Repellents
There are several natural and commercial repellents designed to deter squirrels:
-
Hot Pepper Spray – Mix hot sauce or pureed peppers with water and spray onto trees. The heat irritates squirrels and deters them from chewing on branches. Reapply after rain.
-
Mothballs – Place mothballs around the base of trees. The odor repels squirrels.
-
Predator Urine – Sprinkle coyote, fox or bobcat urine around trees. The scent signals predators are nearby so squirrels avoid the area.
-
Commercial Repellents – There are many squirrel repellent sprays and powders containing oils, sulfur and capsaicin. Follow product instructions.
3. Eliminate Food Sources
Squirrels are resourceful critters and will scope out alternate food sources nearby. Eliminating these makes your trees less attractive:
-
Remove fallen apples, corn cobs, acorns and other foods squirrels like.
-
Store chicken feed securely and avoid scattering it in the orchard.
-
Position bird feeders away from apple trees so seed isn’t dropped below.
4. Use Scare Tactics
Startling squirrels with random scary stimuli helps discourage them:
-
Hang old CDs, pie pans and reflective ribbons in trees. The movement and flashing spooks squirrels.
-
Install motion-activated sprinkler systems. When squirrels are detected, they get sprayed with water.
-
Place realistic plastic owls, hawks or snakes in trees. Squirrels will avoid areas with perceived predators.
5. Apply Tree Guards
Placing guards around the trunk prevents squirrels from climbing up:
-
Use metal sheeting 4+ inches wide wrapped around the trunk. Squirrels can’t get traction to climb.
-
Install smooth plastic tree guards. Models with a dome top also prevent climbing.
-
Make DIY paper tree guards by wrapping sheets of paper around the trunk with the slippery side facing out.
6. Use Natural Predators
Boosting natural predator presence reduces squirrel activity:
-
Install owl boxes or bird houses for hawks/kestrels. The presence of these predators deters squirrels.
-
Avoid killing snakes and encourage garter snake populations. Snakes prey on young squirrels and smaller rodents.
-
Consider allowing well-controlled dogs in the orchard to chase and scare off squirrels. Supervise them closely.
7. Limit Ladder Access
Squirrels use branches like ladders to reach apples. Strategic pruning helps:
-
Prune back overhanging branches 4-6 feet from external fences or structures. Eliminates bridge access.
-
Remove small crisscrossing branches that squirrels use as stepping stones between trees.
-
Maintain an open canopy through pruning. This gives fewer routes for squirrels to move about.
8. Use Tree Collars
Wrapping tree collars around trunks 4-5 feet off the ground prevents climbing:
-
Metal flashing provides a smooth, slippery barrier (place shiny side facing out).
-
Sheet metal ducting is an affordable option. Just cut down one side and wrap around trunks.
-
Rolled sheet metal forms a cylinder when wrapped around trunks. Secure with tape, screws or wire.
9. Bait Squirrels Out of Orchard
You can lure squirrels out of the orchard with strategically placed bait:
-
Position bird feeders full of seed just outside the orchard to divert squirrels.
-
Set out ears of corn, walnuts or other squirrel favorites away from trees. This redirects them from the apples.
-
Place bait inside live traps just beyond the orchard. Release trapped squirrels far away.
10. Pick Apples Promptly
Don’t give squirrels a chance at your apples!
-
Monitor trees closely and pick apples as soon as they ripen. Don’t leave fruit hanging too long.
-
Pick up any fallen apples immediately and remove from the orchard.
-
Visit orchard frequently (even daily) during peak ripening to stay ahead of squirrels.
An Integrated Approach Works Best
For optimal protection, use several of these strategies together in an integrated squirrel management plan. Focus on exclusion, repellents, habitat modification and baiting/trapping for the most effective control. With some persistence and creativity, you can outsmart those apple-loving squirrels and win back your harvest.
Here’s to a bountiful, squirrel-free apple season! Let us know in the comments if you have any other clever tricks for protecting apples from squirrels.
- Apple trees or apple orchard mentioned 6 times
- Squirrels or squirrel mentioned 51 times
- Physical barriers mentioned 5 times
- Repellents mentioned 5 times
- Scare tactics mentioned 3 times
- Natural predators mentioned 3 times
- Tree guards mentioned 5 times
Mint and other aromatic plants
A lot of animals are repelled by the scent of mint and squirrels are one of them. You could try planting some mint under your fruit trees or make a spray similar to the hot pepper spray using peppermint or spearmint essential oils and water. Again, you’ll have to reapply the spray periodically to ensure it’s effective.
Marigolds, nasturtiums and mustard are other plants you can try planting around your fruit trees to create a barrier squirrels are less inclined to cross.
How to Protect Fruit Trees from Squirrels and Other Animals
FAQ
How do you keep squirrels from eating your apples?
For rats and mice, you can use plastic clamshells placed around the fruit to deter these rodents. For larger animals such as squirrels and raccoons, you can try deterrents such as pepper spray on the fruit, but the only long term solution is to remove the animals which brings up a number of other problems.
What is the most effective squirrel repellent?
Peppermint, garlic, hot peppers, and predator urine are scents that squirrels tend to avoid. While these smells may deter squirrels temporarily, they may need to be reapplied regularly to maintain their effectiveness, especially after rain.
How do you protect apples from pests?
Remove all ripe or over-ripe fruit- indoors put in the frig. Cover drains- they hatch there! Out-doors-Keep garbage cans covered. Keep garbage ares dry-they can only breed in moist areas! They can breed in compost piles also. Remove all fallen and over-ripe apples from tree- tie in a plastic bag. Hope this helps!
How do farmers keep squirrels away?
- Fencing: A strong fence, at least 30 inches high with wire mesh, can prevent squirrels from accessing crops.
- Tree Guards: Wrap tree trunks with metal or plastic guards to prevent squirrels from climbing and reaching fruit.
- Garden Netting: Covering crops with netting can protect them from squirrels and birds.
Do apple trees need to be protected from squirrels?
But protecting apple trees from squirrels is a must if you want to enjoy a healthy and bountiful harvest. Squirrels can damage the tree and its fruit, as well as strip bark and cause other destruction. Plus, they can spread disease and parasites, both of which can be harmful to the tree and its fruit.
Can apples help with epilepsy?
Apples in general provides a good source of nutrients including fibre, carbohydrates and vitamins. However, there are no well-established studies to show that apples directly help with epilepsy.
How do I keep squirrels from stealing my apple tree?
There are several humane ways to keep squirrels and birds from stealing the apples from your apple tree – the fruits of your labour, like scarecrows, metal collars and baffles around the trunk of your tree, bird netting, noise makers and hot pepper.
Will a scarecrow stop squirrels from ripening apples?
This should reduce the squirrels ability to jump into the tree and make it that much harder to access the ripening apples. A scarecrow placed in your backyard orchard can help to deter both birds and squirrels, but we’ve seen owls, hawks and snake decoys work more effectively.
How do you protect a squirrel fruit tree?
It is difficult to achieve total squirrel fruit tree protection due to the animals amazing climbing ability. Try simple things like netting the crown of the tree to protect new buds and young fruit. When the pests have gotten on your last nerve, it is tempting to attempt lethal methods. This is inadvisable unless you know your species.
Can squirrels eat apple trees?
If the netting is not securely fastened, squirrels may be able to chew through it and access the tree. Additionally, the netting should be checked periodically to ensure that it remains intact and free from holes. Physical barriers are an effective way to protect apple trees from squirrels.