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How to Keep Squirrels From My Plum Tree
How to Keep Squirrels From My Plum Tree. Squirrels are members of the rodent family. While adorable with their fluffy tails, they're capable of significant destruction to property and landscaping. They're particularly fond of eating from nut and fruit trees, often stripping them completely in a short time once they begin. Plum trees rely on...
Squirrels are members of the rodent family. While adorable with their fluffy tails, they're capable of significant destruction to property and landscaping. They're particularly fond of eating from nut and fruit trees, often stripping them completely in a short time once they begin. Plum trees rely on squirrels and other small mammals to spread the seeds in their droppings, and their fruit is particularly tasty to squirrels. Keeping squirrels off favorite plum trees can be very difficult, but is possible with quick action, consistent effort and a few tricks.
Things You'll Need
Plastic pipe
Metal sections, wire and springs
Saw or tree pruning shears
Squirrel traps
Pick up any fruit that falls from the tree promptly. Fallen fruit acts as a draw to squirrels and other animals.
Place nets, like those used for birds, around trees that sit close to other trees, poles or rooflines. Squirrels can chew through the netting, but often find it easier to target other, more accessible food.
Keep the limbs of neighboring trees cut back from 8 to 10 feet away from your plum tree. Also, trim any plum tree limbs that come close to any roofs, poles or utility lines. This makes it more difficult for squirrels to get into the tree.
Slit a 2-foot-long section of plastic pipe and place it around utility lines that pass nearby the plum tree. The pipe should have a diameter large enough to allow it to fit very loosely around the wire and to spin freely. The squirrels will not be able to walk on the pipe as it spins around the wire.
Set traps on roofs, tree limbs and any other areas in your yard that are popular with squirrels. Higher locations are better, to prevent the trap from harming any pets. A kill trap is best, since removing squirrels from live traps and releasing them elsewhere can be dangerous and is illegal in some areas.
Place a 2-foot-wide metal collar around the tree trunk about 6 feet up from the ground. This makes it difficult for the squirrel to climb the tree. Be sure to attach the collar to the tree with wires held by springs so the tree can continue to grow.
Keep a dog, cat or other natural predator pet in the yard containing the plum tree and give them free access to the area around the tree. This serves as a deterrent to the squirrels and keeps them out of your yard.
Tips & Warnings
According to the Integrated Pest Management Program of the University of California-Davis, chemical deterrents, along with sound and light deterrents, work temporarily at best.
