7 Ways to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Fruit Trees Before They Wipe Out Your Harvest

Who doesn't love picking a ripe peach right off the tree? Or savoring a pear fresh from the branch, still warm from the sun? Unfortunately, squirrels love these fruits just as much as we do, which means your harvest could end up with bite marks if you don't take measures to keep them away. Moreover, squirrels can damage buds before they bloom and mature into fruit, and they even gnaw on the bark.

So, what's the best way to keep squirrels from turning your fruit trees into their personal snack bar? The strategy you use depends on whether or not they've already discovered your trees.

“It’s easier to prevent squirrels from feeding on a tree than to stop them once they've started,” says John Ball, a professor at South Dakota State University and the state's Forest Health Specialist. “Once they've decided to feed on a tree or its fruit, only physical barriers will stop them.”

Whether you're currently dealing with a squirrel problem or planning ahead, two gardening experts have shared several of the most effective (and humane!) ways to keep squirrels out of fruit trees. Here's what they recommend.

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Fruit Trees

Finding that squirrels have already wreaked havoc on your fruit trees is frustrating, but these humane methods can help keep your trees rodent-free.

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Isolate the Fruit Trees

If your fruit trees are clustered together, you've essentially created an easy path for squirrels to jump from tree to tree. While they can always climb from the ground, it's more effort for them to climb down one tree and back up another than it is to leap between branches.

"Squirrels can easily jump 6 feet from tree to tree, so prune fruit trees to create gaps," Ball says. "Improved light exposure from pruning will also enhance fruit production."

Do Bird Feeders Help or Hurt?

It might seem like a good idea to install a bird feeder to divert squirrels from your fruit trees with an alternate food source. Instead, this could just attract more squirrels to the area.

"Move any bird feeders away from the trees and their surroundings. If the fruit trees are in the backyard, no bird feeders in the backyard," Ball says.

Use Baffles

A baffle is one of the most effective barriers for preventing squirrels from getting into a fruit tree, especially if you pair it with pruning to stop them from jumping between trees. A baffle is a smooth piece of plastic or metal wrapped around the trunk that makes it impossible for squirrels to climb.

Ball explains, "Baffles will work to keep squirrels from climbing the trunks as long as they cannot access the canopy from branches. Commercial ones are better than homemade ones."

He adds that baffles can girdle a trunk if installed improperly or left on too long, so it's not a set-it-and-forget-it solution.

Hang Silver Streamers

Squirrels are scared of reflective surfaces, so shiny silver streamers hanging from your fruit trees will deter them from foraging there.

Dominique Charles, owner and garden consultant at Plots and Pans, suggests, “I add silver streamers to the tree branches to scare both squirrels and birds away. If I still had CDs, they would be perfect to hang from tree branches.”

Spray Aromatic Oils

Depending on the size of your fruit tree, spraying aromatic oil around it can deter squirrels. They can't stand the smell of peppermint oil and will generally stay away when it's present.

However, you'll need to reapply the oil frequently, especially during the rainy season.

Wrap Wire Around the Tree Trunk

A similar deterrent to a baffle is using wire wrapped around the trunk.

“I've used rabbit wire at the base of the tree to keep them away,” Charles shared. “I wrapped the wire around the base of the tree, leaving about an inch or so of space between the wire and the trunk.”

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

This isn't a low-effort deterrent, but installing motion-activated water sprinklers can help keep squirrels away from your fruit trees. Ideally, the sprinkler should be triggered by motion in the tree, sending the squirrels running.

Make sure you turn it off before heading to the tree yourself, or you could end up getting an unexpected shower.

Use Tree Nets

If the squirrel problem becomes severe, a tree net might be your best option. This net fully covers the tree and is secured at the bottom so squirrels can't get in.

While effective, it does have a major drawback—it makes accessing the fruit just as challenging for you as it does for the squirrels.