My mom has been growing a blueberry bush for a couple of years, and finally, we've got some fruit coming in this year! Unfortunately, we also have a lot of hungry squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks in the yard. Last year, they decimated the berries as soon as they ripened. She's already tried chicken wire, planting marigolds nearby, and using natural pest control methods, but nothing seems to work. The blueberries are still green right now, so we have time to save them. Does anyone have tips or tricks to help protect our berries? We're willing to try anything!
3 Answers
Instead of chicken wire, consider using 1/2 inch hardware cloth. It keeps out birds and chipmunks much better. You can make a removable cage over the bush for easy harvesting, or even a walk-in frame. I have a 5'x15' frame covered with hardware cloth and nothing gets in! It does take some effort—about 3-4 hours with a friend to set up. It's a bit of an investment, but it really works. You can also find black coated hardware cloth for a nicer look, though it costs more.
I’ve had success using a mix of cayenne pepper and water sprayed around the soil. It deters squirrels by making them think twice about digging near my plants. Some folks swear by all sorts of hot pepper concoctions!
Does this mix work for rabbits and chipmunks too?
Using blood meal around the blueberry plants can be effective too. It can deter various critters, but you'll want to ensure it’s properly dispersed to avoid any issues.
I use sriracha mixed with water for earwigs, and it works wonders!