I've got a raspberry patch that's about 8 x 4 feet in size, and last year I successfully used bird netting to keep the birds away. However, the squirrels found a way through the netting and seriously damaged my crop, eating or scratching up nearly half of it. I've tried various tactics, like bird netting, fake snakes that I move around, wind spinners, and even letting my three barky dogs roam the area (half-joking!). But with how tall the raspberries grow and the size of the plot, building something sturdy like a hardware cloth enclosure seems impractical and costly, potentially up to $800. Is it a lost cause trying to protect my raspberries, or is there still hope to keep the squirrels at bay?
By the way, I do plant other fruits and nuts, like strawberries and hazelnuts, that I'm okay with the squirrels munching on, but they still seem drawn to the raspberries. Any advice? ?
3 Answers
Honestly, dealing with squirrels can be a real challenge! They are pretty clever and persistent when it comes to finding food. One thing that really helped me in the past was putting out a water dish along with some cheap oranges. I lived near an old orange orchard, and it seemed to keep the local wildlife distracted. They'd munch on those instead of my garden. When it got super hot, I’d cut open some oranges and set them out with water, and that helped tons! They tended to leave the tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries alone for the most part.
Instead of trying to fight the squirrels, why not try to trick them? You could put out some alternative food sources to keep them busy away from your raspberries. I've heard that sometimes, putting food out for them can make them less interested in your plants. Just make sure it's something they love! You might want to reach out to someone who’s dealt with squirrels directly for some extra tips too.
I totally feel you on the squirrel struggle! They can be relentless. What about trying a combination of planting more 'distraction' plants nearby? Maybe adding more of those martyr plants could help keep them satisfied, so they don’t bother your precious raspberries. Just a thought!
That’s super interesting! I noticed squirrels doing something similar with my apples and peaches. They’d nibble at them, but I think they were just after moisture during those hot weeks.