The birds stole my figs!

caliboy1994 · 09-09-2011, 08:13 PM

The birds stole all of the figs off of my tree!

I had just planted it this March, and I'm surprised it made figs already. The tree itself is actually still quite small. But I need to keep the birds, or anything for that matter, from stealing my precious figs! Is there anything I can do besides something like netting, which looks bad? I'd appreciate the help!

island cassie · 09-09-2011, 09:41 PM

I don't know anything other than netting - perhaps a netting cage like they use for tall soft fruit like raspberries.

palmtree · 09-09-2011, 10:00 PM

Wish I could come up with some other idea, but many of the figs I see around here are covered in netting when the figs are starting to get a bit of size to them. I admit, its not a very nice look, but it does get the job done for sure! I would imagine that it gets difficult to put the netting on large fig trees, but I have seen figs here over 12 feet tall with netting on them, so I guess its very possible.
I have seen figs that arent bothered by the birds because there isnt anything else attracting the birds to the yard. If you or one of your neighbors has a bird feeder, then that might be bringing the birds to your fig tree.

sunfish · 09-09-2011, 10:15 PM

Bird Control Pro - Bird Control Solutions for your Home or Business

caliboy1994 · 09-09-2011, 11:07 PM

Thanks. I guess netting will have to do. Too bad I have to wait till next year for more figs

I know that one thing that works once your fig tree gets too big to cover is to put shiny silver tape over your yard. It reflects sunlight into the birds' eyes and helps keep them away. @Sunfish: I think that propane cannon is a bit out of my budget...

Chance1945 · 09-10-2011, 08:28 PM

I'm watching for the answers and suggestions you might receive. The same thing happens to be every time the tree produces ---- I get about 3-4 crops of figs each year. The birds eat every single one of them. My tree has a new crop right now and I would like to save at least one for me. With as many crops as this little tree produces each year I could make a lot of fig preserves ---mmmmm---if I could just keep the birds away. I wish I had more in the way of help to offer you, but I'm in the same boat, but I do wish you luck.

Chance

caliboy1994 · 09-10-2011, 08:37 PM

My grandfather has fig trees in his yard and he has no problems with the birds. Try using those silver streamers I was talking about earlier, although I don't know where to find them.

Darkman · 09-12-2011, 06:06 PM

I have four young trees and will be fighting this battle soon. I think the trick is to get the trees large quickly and then the fruit production will be too much for the birds to eat it all. Hopefully they will get the ones off the top where you can't reach.

Blast Volume: Varies from 100 to 125 decibels.
Timing: Detonation Intervals adjustable from 40 seconds up to 30 minutes.

I'm sure my neighbors would love that.

Come to think off it I'm not so sure I'd tolerate it either

caliboy1994 · 09-12-2011, 10:08 PM

My grandfather also has sonic blasters in his yard. He can't hear them because his ears are too old to hear the high pitched noises, but I can hear them and they sound horrible. At least they do a good job of keeping the squirrels away.

john_ny · 09-12-2011, 10:23 PM

I've found netting to be effective. The only problems are; if the tree is a decent size, it's a heck of a job installing the net: you have to get it on early enough, as birds and squirrels will eat stuff before it's even ripe. I had some hazelnuts (filberts) that were completely gone, and they were still green inside. If you do get the netting on early enough, the branches will grow through, and then it's almost impossible to get it off, without really tearing the tree up.

caliboy1994 · 09-13-2011, 01:02 AM

My tree is really small, it only has two actual branches, and it was just planted this year. In fact, I was surprised it made figs at all this year. So I should easily be able to cover it with netting next year. The birds only stole the figs when they were just about ripe, not while they were ripening. There was one that I was planning to pick but it got stolen just before I was going to pick it. Oh well, I'll wait till next year.

Chance1945 · 09-14-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliboy1994

My grandfather also has sonic blasters in his yard. He can't hear them because his ears are too old to hear the high pitched noises, but I can hear them and they sound horrible. At least they do a good job of keeping the squirrels away.

Never heard of sonic blasters, and I'm old too. I have a worse problem with squirrells than I do birds. They eat every pecan on my huge tree. I've never harvested one. Plus they raid the bird feeder. The rabbits are another pest. A portion of my lot has chain link fencing and the baby rabbits slip right through it.

caliboy1994 · 09-15-2011, 10:57 AM

Well apparently sonic blasters really help. My grandfather has an entire organic garden with sonic blasters set up. He never has any problem with squirrels, rabbits, or birds, so I guess that the sonic blasters work well. The only downside is the annoying high-pitched sound that they make.

Darkman · 10-07-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance1945

I have a worse problem with squirrells than I do birds. They eat every pecan on my huge tree. Plus they raid the bird feeder. The rabbits are another pest.......

Sounds like you need some rabbit and squirrel stew this winter then maybe next year you can have some pecan encrusted fried rabbit!

Chance1945 · 10-08-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkman

Sounds like you need some rabbit and squirrel stew this winter then maybe next year you can have some pecan encrusted fried rabbit!

That is absolutely, positively digusting! On second thought, there are times that if I had a gun I'd take your advice.

I'm just across Mobile Bay from you, so we can probably grow the same bananas. I'm in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, almost due west of Pensacola.

Chance

caliboy1994 · 10-08-2011, 01:15 PM

Sounds yummy...

Darkman · 10-08-2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance1945

That is absolutely, positively digusting! On second thought, there are times that if I had a gun I'd take your advice.

I'm just across Mobile Bay from you, so we can probably grow the same bananas. I'm in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, almost due west of Pensacola.

Chance

What? You don't like pecans! Sorry.

Chance1945 · 10-16-2011, 12:02 AM

UPDATE. I ate a fig from my tree today. The first EVER in three years. I found some old Christmas tree bulbs and hung them on the tree along with disposable alminum tins that I picked up at the Dollar Store. I also invested in a plastic owl and mounted him on a post near the tree. It's not a pretty sight to look at but it must work because I ate a fig.

Darkman · 10-18-2011, 08:18 PM

You can't argue with sucess!

Congrats

09-09-2011, 08:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	The birds stole my figs! The birds stole all of the figs off of my tree! I had just planted it this March, and I'm surprised it made figs already. The tree itself is actually still quite small. But I need to keep the birds, or anything for that matter, from stealing my precious figs! Is there anything I can do besides something like netting, which looks bad? I'd appreciate the help! __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

09-09-2011, 09:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 437,612 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! I don't know anything other than netting - perhaps a netting cage like they use for tall soft fruit like raspberries.

09-09-2011, 10:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
palmtree palmtree 's Photo Gallery Location: New York City Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Alex C Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,016 BananaBucks : 116,879 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,492 Times Was Thanked 1,428 Times in 644 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 103 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! Wish I could come up with some other idea, but many of the figs I see around here are covered in netting when the figs are starting to get a bit of size to them. I admit, its not a very nice look, but it does get the job done for sure! I would imagine that it gets difficult to put the netting on large fig trees, but I have seen figs here over 12 feet tall with netting on them, so I guess its very possible. I have seen figs that arent bothered by the birds because there isnt anything else attracting the birds to the yard. If you or one of your neighbors has a bird feeder, then that might be bringing the birds to your fig tree. __________________ Location: New York City, zone 7b

09-09-2011, 10:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,197,321 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! Bird Control Pro - Bird Control Solutions for your Home or Business

09-09-2011, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! Thanks. I guess netting will have to do. Too bad I have to wait till next year for more figs I know that one thing that works once your fig tree gets too big to cover is to put shiny silver tape over your yard. It reflects sunlight into the birds' eyes and helps keep them away. @Sunfish: I think that propane cannon is a bit out of my budget... __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

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09-10-2011, 08:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chance1945 Location: Bayou La Batre, Alabama Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Terry Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 227 BananaBucks : 83,138 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 140 Times Was Thanked 220 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 58 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! I'm watching for the answers and suggestions you might receive. The same thing happens to be every time the tree produces ---- I get about 3-4 crops of figs each year. The birds eat every single one of them. My tree has a new crop right now and I would like to save at least one for me. With as many crops as this little tree produces each year I could make a lot of fig preserves ---mmmmm---if I could just keep the birds away. I wish I had more in the way of help to offer you, but I'm in the same boat, but I do wish you luck. Chance

09-10-2011, 08:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! My grandfather has fig trees in his yard and he has no problems with the birds. Try using those silver streamers I was talking about earlier, although I don't know where to find them. __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

09-12-2011, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 226,694 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! I have four young trees and will be fighting this battle soon. I think the trick is to get the trees large quickly and then the fruit production will be too much for the birds to eat it all. Hopefully they will get the ones off the top where you can't reach. Blast Volume: Varies from 100 to 125 decibels. Timing: Detonation Intervals adjustable from 40 seconds up to 30 minutes. I'm sure my neighbors would love that. Come to think off it I'm not so sure I'd tolerate it either __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

09-12-2011, 10:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! My grandfather also has sonic blasters in his yard. He can't hear them because his ears are too old to hear the high pitched noises, but I can hear them and they sound horrible. At least they do a good job of keeping the squirrels away. __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

09-12-2011, 10:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
john_ny Member john_ny's Photo Gallery Location: Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. Find me on the map! Zone: USDA7- Sunset34 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,014 BananaBucks : 712,776 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,057 Times Was Thanked 2,284 Times in 832 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! I've found netting to be effective. The only problems are; if the tree is a decent size, it's a heck of a job installing the net: you have to get it on early enough, as birds and squirrels will eat stuff before it's even ripe. I had some hazelnuts (filberts) that were completely gone, and they were still green inside. If you do get the netting on early enough, the branches will grow through, and then it's almost impossible to get it off, without really tearing the tree up. __________________ John

09-13-2011, 01:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! My tree is really small, it only has two actual branches, and it was just planted this year. In fact, I was surprised it made figs at all this year. So I should easily be able to cover it with netting next year. The birds only stole the figs when they were just about ripe, not while they were ripening. There was one that I was planning to pick but it got stolen just before I was going to pick it. Oh well, I'll wait till next year. __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

09-15-2011, 10:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! Well apparently sonic blasters really help. My grandfather has an entire organic garden with sonic blasters set up. He never has any problem with squirrels, rabbits, or birds, so I guess that the sonic blasters work well. The only downside is the annoying high-pitched sound that they make. __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

10-08-2011, 01:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 280,966 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! Sounds yummy... __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

10-16-2011, 12:02 AM	#18 (permalink)
Chance1945 Location: Bayou La Batre, Alabama Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Terry Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 227 BananaBucks : 83,138 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 140 Times Was Thanked 220 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 58 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! UPDATE. I ate a fig from my tree today. The first EVER in three years. I found some old Christmas tree bulbs and hung them on the tree along with disposable alminum tins that I picked up at the Dollar Store. I also invested in a plastic owl and mounted him on a post near the tree. It's not a pretty sight to look at but it must work because I ate a fig.

10-18-2011, 08:18 PM	#19 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 226,694 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: The birds stole my figs! You can't argue with sucess! Congrats __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

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