Possum? Bird? Or Rat?

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mic

Registered:1417007842
Posts: 103

Posted 1419377067	Reply with quote #1

Something has become impatient and can't wait for the figs to ripen. So its trying to eat the tree instead! It looks like it knows what its doing. Its going for the nodes. Attached Images f1.jpg (152.27 KB, 59 views) f2.jpg (135.32 KB, 58 views) f3.jpg (125.91 KB, 52 views) __________________ Mic ~ Australia ~ Equivalent to US Zone 10

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,117

Posted 1419377384	Reply with quote #2

Can't see a bird chewing on a fig bud...LOL What critters have you got in Australia that like to chew on buds that high up on a fig tree? What do kangaroo eat? __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1419380528 · Edited	Reply with quote #3

woodpecker???? __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1419384476	Reply with quote #4

I vote rat/mouse. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

So_Cal_Mike

Registered:1351472531
Posts: 43

Posted 1419390417	Reply with quote #6

I'm with pitangadiego on this, it looks like rodent damage to me. __________________ Sunset Zone: 21 • USDA Zone: 10a __________ Wish List: Lattarula

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Flowerchic

Registered:1419307702
Posts: 41

Posted 1419394225	Reply with quote #8

Looks to me like a beetle or ant damage.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1419414841	Reply with quote #9

Hi mic, This an educated rat . He is trying the girdling method for you ... I would vote for the rat . Try pouring harissa/hot chilly pepper on the trunk of the tree and at her base. And add some traps . Have no mercy against rodents or they'll take the tree away from you... direct to fig heaven. Yesterday I found the highway of some rodents under my trumpet-creeper (luckily not a fig tree but because most have protections ) ... My fist would fit inside ... I threw some baits inside . No way; I won't let them make yearlings in my garden. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1419419355	Reply with quote #10

Mouse/vole/small rodent. Going for the sap.

leon_edmond

Registered:1188903453
Posts: 923

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1419455392	Reply with quote #12

Leon ........... lol __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

So_Cal_Mike

Registered:1351472531
Posts: 43

Posted 1419460514 · Edited	Reply with quote #14

Now I'm thinking it could only be the "extinct" Giant Sloth... (I still think the culprit is a rodent) __________________ Sunset Zone: 21 • USDA Zone: 10a __________ Wish List: Lattarula

mic

Registered:1417007842
Posts: 103

Posted 1419476523	Reply with quote #15

Ha ha! And pictures too! Ok, I think by popular concensus rat/mouse is the number one suspect. I went and looked closer and think I can see little teeth marks. Beetles, bats and kangaroos are otherwise possibilities. And possums of course. I have seen them destroy trees two stories high by eating every node and shoot. Sorry, no woodpeckers, limurs or giant sloths around here, well, none that I know about! There are birds around here (bush turkeys and cockatoos) that can destroy things when they put their mind to it but I seriously don't think it was any of them. If it was the tree would be pieces or all the figs ripped off. __________________ Mic ~ Australia ~ Equivalent to US Zone 10

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