How to Keep Squirrels Out of Pear Trees

Hungry squirrels love ripe pears and nuts

The varied diet of squirrels can mean trouble for gardeners. Squirrels eat corn, seeds, fruits and nuts. They do considerable damage to ripe pears. Foiling these cute, but pesky, invaders is difficult and usually requires more than one approach. Indigenous to most parts of the U.S., squirrels leap from houses and trees and scale tree trunks.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet metal
• Encircling wires with springs
• Corn cobs or bird seed
• Wildlife repellent
• Pruning saw

Instructions

Protection

1. 

   Squirrels live throughout the U.S.

   Encircle the tree with a 2-foot piece of sheet metal 6 feet from the ground, suggests the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. If you apply the metal lower on the tree, squirrels may jump over it. Secure the sheet metal with encircling wires with springs to allow the tree room to grow.

2. 

   Plant pear trees away from fences, houses and other trees

   Use a pruning saw to cut back large branches that are close to other trees, fences, power lines or houses. Squirrels jump from other structures into the tops of pear trees. Plant pear trees away from structures and other trees.

3. Place mothballs in knee-high stockings, and hang the stockings from the pear trees.

Deterrents

1. 

   Smear repellent on the trees to discourage squirrels

   Use products specifically made for repelling wildlife. Smear these products on the trunk, branches and fruit to discourage squirrels.

2. 

   Don't hand feed squirrels

   Provide another food source for squirrels. Plant mulberry bushes close by, or nail an ear of corn to a fence, recommends Barbara Damrosch in "The Garden Primer."

3. Use traps only as a last resort, says the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Trapping usually doesn't solve the problem, as squirrels have been known to return from their release points.

Tips & Warnings

• Squirrels carry diseases and may bite. Don't ever hand feed them.

References

• Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management: Tree Squirrels
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Squirrels
• "The Garden Primer"; Barbara Damrosch; 1988

Resources

• Nixalite: Ropel Animal, Rodent & Bird Repellent