I wanted to save this fig from being attacked by figs, since its the only black fig ripening at this time I thought birds can be attracted to it. So I am using a sack that is usually used for wedding favors.
It's is also used in Japan to keep bugs from apples, it's just another alternative to spraying certain fruit trees.

Hi Bass,  Do you put a repellent in the bag or is the bag a repellent?

Thats a good idea...thanks Bass.

some use news paper, clear plastic box for berries, and brown bag. i wonder how much they will really protect. if the bird decide to peck on it anyway.. it's will damage the fig. and usually it won't prevent tree rats from doing their best to got to the figs. i think best bet is to have as many fig trees as possible to out compete the vermin.

I can't imagine doing this for every fig, but just doing it as a test for the first fig that was about to ripen.
There's no repellent inside of it.
I will be trying this with a few fruit trees besides figs.

I tried this method on the few trees I had last year after someone here (was it JoAnn?) suggested them . I bought mine on Ebay and used the 4"x6" size . It worked really well. the birds did not bother the figs once encased and they fully ripened in the bag . I did not have that many figs or trees at that point - hopefully this year the fruit will increase as my trees have .

That looks like a cheese cloth.

I remember when I visited Professor Michael Bostoff in Vancouver, BC at his house ( sorry for misspelling your name professor ).
He was using the folding type of deli containers. Just like the ones they use for sandwiches or fruits. They were vented throughout and seemed to work for him. He was using them for his grapes though.

Thanks for sharing Bass

They are still selling on ebay - # 150507783995.  50 of them are $8.00. The larger size was easier to get over some of the larger figs.

I've used a small piece of bird netting, just enough to go around the ripening fig, or a small group of the figs. I hold the bird netting with a clothes pin(s).

come to think of it, i might try it for Genovese Nero, Col de Dame Noir, and RdB.

I tried some last season and the fig and the sack both disappeared.

Coincindently, I was considering purchasing a LSU Purple and came across this older thread, that has some beautiful pictures, BTW:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/LSU-Purple-5533881

In the post, he references this method of protecting figs using a coffee filter, although, I understand it doesn't hold up well in heavy rains:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/HighTech-Gadgetry-5410496?highlight=coffee

Oh... And, I did order that LSU Purple! :)

@ Pattee...that ebay product number is just what I was looking for...thank you...I will be trying the bags only on the figs that are very close to ripening...the ones that the birds have been looking at...    :)  :)

someone has to design an iron fig cage

barry, iron fig cage would be too heavy.. how about ultra light titanium alloy cage with LED mount to scare the birds away? :)))

Vince , you're welcome .
Pete , cool idea !! :)

@ BLB.....Barry, back during the winter I was surfing the web and came across a fig video that showed a fig grower attaching light weight plastic cages on each individual fig...I have been trying for the last month to locate that video, but to no avail...also been searching the internet to purchase that product, but for the life of me, I can't find it anywhere.   :(     

It was berry containers he had as leftovers.

Bob...the baskets that I'm refering to actualy had a pear shaped design same as the figs and were just a little larger than a fully ripe large fig....wasn't sure if you were were just kidding me or not with your post, so I figured I would respond with the above...have a great season Bob...   :)  :)

I think squirrels will get used to plastic cages and eventually start chewing through them. I like Pete's suggestion, guess it would be a bit costly though lol

Fortunately I don't have a problem with squirrels where I live, my main enemy is the birds...so for now I'm going to try the mesh bags(organza bags), but I'm still going to be looking for those protective fig baskets just in case.

I use aluminum soda cans cut in half lengthwise with a little hole at each end for the branch and a trap door in the middle so I can check the fig. Cut in the can sealed back together with duct tape. Effective for birds and squirrels. After one fig is ripe, move to the next ripening fig. Also very attractive.

Scott

I've used nylon foot stockings [the kind provided in womens'
 shoe stores for trying on shoes] for my apples. They are cheap [4 cents each] when purchased from a store supplies company
.
http://www.storesupply.com/c-592-sewn-bottom-footlet-footies.aspx

Noss...from looking at the organza material that those bags are made from, they look to be a tighter weave than the mesh bags, yet still breatheable, which could be good for keeping out insects...I sent for an order of 50, so I'll find out for sure in a few days.

@noss...I just received those organza bags in the mail today...they are just the right size to fit over a large ripe fig...as far as the mesh, they are the tightest weave I have ever seen on a gift bag...they will probably only delay a squirrel for a brief time, but if it's insects that your concerned about, I don't think there is an insect small enough to fit through this weave...as I said in the above post, my biggest enemy is the birds...these bags may even give them a run for their money.