I know critters eat fruit, but now leaves?

It appears we have a creature of habit here who nightly takes a couple leaves off my Verte fig tree and leaves the twig with one leaf attached on the wood deck next to the tree.  Every morning a new leaf, and he leaves these leafs in the same place!  He thinks our tree is his private banquet.

So, JD was going to put a big chicken wire fence around the entire tree which is now about 5' tall, and I said "Let's try Tabasco spray first."  I mixed some up (1 TBSP in a spray bottle full of water), and he sprayed the tree.  All of our trees will get this treatment, and we MUST now remember to wash off that Tabasco prior to eating the figs.

This morning, there is nothing on the deck.  No leaf.  We are also going to get a couple traps to find out what this creature is. 

Anyone else have results using Tabasco?  How often will I need to spray?

Suzi

Suzi, sadly I think your critter likes the hot sauce! Sorry. Maybe some wood ash sprinkled about? Just saw a video on the forum about it.

Put flour on the deck to see the foot prints. But sounds like you chased him off with the hot spray. I think its good fir insects too. I mix mine with that stuff that you buy that makes different sprays stick to plants. I canr remember then name. It does nothing but make other sprays stick to plants
I use it for slugs and other leaf eating Xxxxheads lol. Makes me mad. They always eat my tomatoes. Never my figs.

Yep.  He doesn't like Tabasco!  Flour on the deck is a good idea!  I don't want to wish him back, but it would be fun to see his footprints.  Thanks!
Suzi

hi Suzi  I used the tobasco straight from the bottle on a fence post that a squirrel had taken to gnawing when I lived in Michigan.  I just doused it good.   Got a lawn chair and a cold drink and watch the little varmit run down the fence go to the post and take a big bite.  Weeeke   sounded like the sound  he made as he ran with full force down the fence back where he came from.   His tail was shaking violently and he was wobbling.  Never again was post bothered   i bought several bottles  doused  my clemetis vines   rose blossoms  hollyhawks etc.   just sprinkled straight from the bottle.    :)     ps  I loathe squirrels   currently mixing peanut butter  and just one bite and smearing it about 5 feet  up on some of my oak trees in the front yard.  Will keep you all posted.

You could try some irish spring soap, the deer and rabbits stay away from it in my yard. Not sure it'll work on a lot of other animals though

Thanks Chucklikestofish!  I was wondering how often to spray.  It's a cheap and safe way to protect plants for sure!  I also heard cayenne pepper sprinkled on the ground will deter critters.  I may try a ring of that around each tree.  That would deter the sniffers approaching, but birds.......  sigh.

This morning the tree is untouched, so the pest has been deterred!

Now I just need to remember to RINSE THE FRUIT prior to eating!

Suzi

PS JD likes to fish too.  He flyfishes.  I bet you are a bass man.

I saw those giant owls at Tractor Supply!  There was one whose head moves with the wind.  Absolutely will get some of those for birds!  My fake snakes work too.  The figs don't all get ripe at the same time, so I might get a few of those U channel steel posts, mount the owl on a post and screw it into the post when each tree is ripening figs.  Hmmmmmmm

Suzi

Will it affect Nat's ?

jc_figs, gnats don't eat the leaves, so probably not.  But rabbits, rats, sniffing types will be repelled.
Suzi

OK thanks