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Mario_1

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I expect to share some of my ripe figs with animals but this is not acceptable. Not ripened Brebas been eaten from I don't know what ? Very disappointing!!! Has anyone seen this before? I was really looking forward to those figs, the tree is my #98 Borgo Scopeto (Siena) is barely 1 year old and it looked very promising with 6 Brebas, only 2 left and probably not for long . My assistant is my 8 year old grandson Mario.

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Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy

genecolin

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Mario, it could be squirrels as they eat many green stems and fruit or maybe just a plain old rat. I've had squirrels strip the bark of my mulberry tree to the point that they killed it. This was in the summertime when you would have thought that there would be plenty of food around.
"gene"
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"gene"

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Houma, La.
pino

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Too bad.  Were they all eaten in 1 sitting? 
If so it could be a visiting racoon, possum or gopher.  Something that can reach that high without damaging your small tree.
I have had similar bite marks on prickly pear cactus pads.  They seem to just take 1 byte to taste.  I guess that's how they find stuff they like.  It looks like they didn't like your figs or they would have eaten them all.
Hope you get the other 2 to ripen and enjoy with your grandson.
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Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.
Sas

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Welcome to the real world if figs. This hobby is filled with bumps, and you just hit one of them.
Those thieves are so smart they even have X-ray vision. Even covering your fruit with a paper bag won't help. Your best bet is a net,
The worst damage is the bark stripping, just like Gene experienced, when I lost many trees.

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Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B
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SuperMario1

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I had a 2 legged breba thief the other day.  This is not the work of one of those. I'm going with squirrel.
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Wish list:  Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. 
Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.




Sas

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
There's nothing more disappointing than losing that beautiful fig the last minute. I also had deer destroy over ten two years old trees last year, by stripping the trunk.



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Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B
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Mario_1

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Thanks everyone for the prompt responses. It was a surprise and don't really know what happened, I think it was more then one sitting, two figs are completely gone one of the ones still on tree is lower and easier to get to than the ones that are gone for a squirrel or mice, I do have deer running around my house but I would think they would eat the whole fig in one shot.
I maybe be buyng some rat poison and take it from there
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Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy
adoresfigs45

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
try my tried and true  "Just One Bite" bars   I wire them in an orchid basket and hang them in a nearby tree  or you could wire them in a pot.   bye bye rodents.  I loathe squirrels.
Mario_1

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Thanks I will get some as soon as possible, i went and checked other trees my #48 only 15 feet away was not touched, hopefully whatever it was didn't like green figs, but I will take remedy .
My #48 only 15 feet away

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Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy

lisascenic

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Mario

I strongly advise you to reconsider using rat poison. The current formulations kill more than just rats. They kill any of the animals that prey on the live rats or scavenge the dead ones. This has been devastating to raptor populations. Don't let a nibbled fig cause the death of majestic hawks. Or less majestic, but hugely important vultures.
Mario_1

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
lisascinic

i have been thinking of the consequences and considering alternatives, hopefully whatever the culprit is does not like unripe figs and will not come back
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Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy
SuperMario1

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Yea, rat poison is not the way to handle this. 
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Wish list:  Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. 
Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.




crademan

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Some people grind hot peppers in a blender and spray figs with it to deter squirrels; I have not tried this. Others use deer netting as a barrier. This article suggests using bird netting and setting out cheap dried corn for the squirrels to protect figs. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/keep-squirrels-out-fig-bushes-58278.html
VeryNew2Figs

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
I've also heard of hanging little bags of moth balls near where you don't want them.  I haven't tried it yet, but a friend did last year and said it worked for her.  I guess they dissolve in the rain and you have to reload.
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Cheryl
Chicago, Zone 6a (That's what they say, but it still feels like 5)
Growing:  Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady.
Rooting: Ronde de Bordeaux, Celeste, Nero 600 m, Violetta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste.
Dave

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
It could be chipmunks I had them a couple of years ago they were eating the figs when they were still green looking for seeds I suppose I set one of these traps up and got rid of 7 of them in a week good for mice, rats and other small pests 
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Norhayati

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
The squirrel in my garden went up and down each tree to check on the ripen fruits everyday. I do not have a chance against it. Only one clever squirrel.
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adoresfigs45

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
the squirrels eat on the bars and take some back to their nest to die.   I have never seen dead squirrel in my yard.    I also have a large nest on back of property that is home to JoJo the kestrel hawk and his mate.    I understand the concern  but in my case I have had no problem.
jdsfrance

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Hi,
Use those so called "have a heart trap" - those boxes do close when the beast reaches the bait . Well I don't have a heart it seems since I drowns the box with the content to dispose of those unwanted guests.
Then  the box is ready for the next one.
Lots of times they die from stress of being trapped ... and I just get rid of them.

In your case, I would consider a temporary barrier all around the tree. Build one with chicken wire, or you'll be left with no figs.
If you have a dog or your neighbors do, take some hairs from the dog and hang them around the tree ... Garlic helps too ... it may work for a week or two ... Netting or building a barrier is the surest way for you and would be my way to go...
I lost one breba to the wind... Branches rubbing against each other ... Someone has an idea against that ? LOL ...
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Mario_1

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Thanks guys
The 5 gallon bucket looks interesting, i may make one with my grandson just for the fun of it.
Have a heart trap sounds great also.
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Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy
mayhawman

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Hi Mario,
Squirrel damage  probable.

I did not know what damage a roof rat (fruit rat) can do to a citrus tree. But they eat the pulp and leave the peel nearly intact.  One evening I went out with a flash light and spotted the culprit.

Good hunting
mayhaw man in South Louisiana
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