I discovered that the culprits attacking my Asian pears are birds . The bites appeared to be what a squirrel or rat would make and if I hadn't seen it for myself I wouldn't have believed it was the birds. I had no clue that birds could be so destructive.
My Jojo is a rat terrier and chases them and the squirrels but the birds are so high up she doesn't pay attention to them. Cleo, the Norwegian Elkhound, doesn't pay attention to them at all.
The tree is rather small so I bought a net and wrapped it around and secured it to the trunk. If this doesn't work I will have to try some other suggestions. I've been reading up on it and some people go so far as to tie paper bags around the fruit. Then we'll certainly having people making remarks about our " bag tree. " I once tied rocks on strings to train the young Pear's branches and someone asked me what kind of tree it was. I couldn't resist and said it's a rock tree of course.
One of my friends suggested an electronic "bird in distress " device that is suppose to scare them off. If all else fails I'll probably try it .
I saw the other post and hoped you'd been successful in finding out what the critter was - birds!
ReplyDeleteWell, that leaves out hot peppers because they don't taste it and don't care! Good luck with wrapping or netting the pears, Carolyn - I've seen people hang old DVD's or CD's on fishing line too - supposedly the reflections freak out the birds, but they may freak out your neighbors too ;-]
"uh what's that??"
"A Music Tree"
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Very funny, as usual, Annie. My neighbors hung CD's on a tree in the parkway to keep the birds away so guess I can start my own " music tree."
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without our varmits! I am battling voles, and ground squirrels. I wish they would just move on and leave me alone! Good luck with your birds.
ReplyDeleteThanks, vonlafin, and good luck with your varmits as well.
ReplyDeleteI have a bird dog. Of course, one who is partial to eating the tomatoes off my plants, but a bird dog all the same. You can borrow him anytime, though his standard fee is smoked chicken pulled from the bones and a 20-minute ear scratch. Or a butt scratch, but I'm guessing you'd prefer the former.
ReplyDeleteA pulled chicken dish? Used to make them all the time. Your dog's got good taste, Max.
ReplyDeleteIf that darn net doesn't work I just might take you up on your offer.
I bet the net works! let us know.
ReplyDeleteSo far, Muum, the net is working.
ReplyDeleteI need a rabbit/squirrel/bird dog!
ReplyDeleteHey Gina,
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on in My Skinny Garden? Are the rabbits and squirrels helping themselves to your veggies ?