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Fruit & Orchards

Grapes, strawberries and blueberries - which critters to keep out

9 years ago

I have recently planted an area surrounded on three sides by either fence (2 sides) and the back of the garage. The fence is welded wire in a wood frame. I am toying with the idea of adding another run of fence and then affixing more welded wire with smaller holes. I think this would keep out the rabbits ( and my dogs) but won't do anything for birds or squirrels. I don't want to bother if those other two will take out my fruit anyway.

So - How much do I need to worry about those pesky fliers and climbers?

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Comments (8)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
9 years ago
You'd better target the birds. They eat 100% of the grape crop here as soon as they change color. That's a month before fully ripe. Blueberries won't fare much better. I also lose out to coons. So while you're at it put up something like 1/2 inch hardware cloth and be free of all that mess. I built my first shelter like that and loved it. It also solved my hail issues. We average 6 hails a yr here.
Sandpaper Tongue
9 years ago
Birds ate 99% of my blueberries last year. I was able to get a few off the first bush that ripened, but as soon as the birds knew they were there, they got there before I did for the other bushes.

This year, I built a cage for the blueberries. I just put it up and all the birds were sitting on the trees and watching me, chattering to each other.

I read here that small birds like chickadees and finches won't eat all of them, but the larger birds like robins and bluejays will wipe out an entire crop.
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bobb_2002
9 years ago
Raccoons will eat grapes!
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
9 years ago
I have chipmunks that like to eat my strawberries while they are still green, darnit. I had a black snake or two move into my strawberry beds this year, though, and I've had no problems at all with losing fruit, lol. Except to a few slugs, which must not be afraid of big black snakes ;)
curtis
9 years ago
netting and flashy tape will help with birds, But don't put the flashy tape out until the birds actually start going for the fruit. They get used to it. I have not tried a plastic owl, but have read of it's success
jtburton
9 years ago
Birds ate nearly all of my blueberries and grapes last year. I decided to buy some decent bird netting this year and so far, it seems to be the key to defeating the birds. 'Scare' items like owls and flash tape did nothing to deter the them. I'm next to woods so that may make a difference in terms of bird pressure. Rabbits haven't been a problem but I think the coyotes and raptors (owls and hawks) keep them in check. I'm going to try bagging grapes this year as well.

Birds eat strawberries as well, so I covered mine this year and that seems to have helps stave off the losses. Since strawberries are on the ground, I have also had other critters like field mice/voles and box turtles (no I'm not kidding). Birds are the worst offenders.

Chipmunks are an easy pest to remove. Use rat snap traps with peanut butter...caught them all within days.
Tha Pranksta
9 years ago
At least most reports seem to indicate that squirrels are usually not a major issue with the crops you have selected.
teeainttelling
9 years ago
Hmmm. Turtles.. No I don't have that problem. I do have neighbors

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