I've Been Robbed!

I've been robbed: I need your suggestions so this won't happen again in the future.

[jackpinesavage]

I worked as an animal control officer for the Sheriff in my county for a long time before I retired 15 years ago. I can say that re-locating nuisance critters with a live trap is a waste of time. You'll only make room for other critters to move in and take the place of those who were re-located. An electric cattle fence is the better way to solve this problem. You put metal or wood fence posts around the tree then place the insulators high enough so the grass doesn't reach the line. Run a weather -proof extension cord underground from the garage to the fence charger. Next year, when your tree is full of peaches, the critter goes to climb the fence and ZAAAP!

[efzapp]

I had the same problem with my fig tree. I was tired of getting up early every morning to beat the birds and squirrels to my figs. I have a contractor who has done a lot of work on my house so I asked him to build a big frame around the fig tree. The frame is 10' X 10' X 8' tall with a door to be able to get in. Initially, I had bird netting put on the frame. Well, the squirrels bit through the netting to get in and, believe it or not, so did the mockingbirds. I called my guy and told him the netting is not working; I need chicken wire! Well, my figs are mine now and I do share some with the birds and squirrels. I keep my tree pruned. Your tree looks to be pruned also to maintain its dimensions. You might do the same. If my tree should die, I'll have a great enclosure for chickens!

[aleell]

My parents are heavily guarding their plum tree that will be ready in another week or so. It’s mostly deer and elk that are the problem but they set up a water sprinkler system attached to a motion detector. Any movement and the sprinkler goes off and occilates it’s spray back and forth directly at the base and around the tree. Uncertain whether it would work for smaller creatures, but it’s been great so far 🤞 So sorry about your peaches.

[leelouCreates]

Oh no! I'm sorry that happened to you. Darn critters! I say go with an electric fence.

[PennsylvaniacookingBlogspot]

If I didn't use hot wire, I wouldn't have anything. So sorry!

[janelkin]

Hello from Australia, I had the same problem last year. Possums completely stripped my apple tree. I now cover the tree in fine bird netting and also tie it close around the trunk to stop them climbing up. Good luck and hopefully a great harvest next year for you. 💞

[theonewhomjesusloves]

Should cover with a large net. Also they come at night so motion detector light works well for us. We put cat kibble out near the garden and then slowly started moving it further and further away. So we used a series of things. The cat food was gone every morning and my plants were untouched

[paulineparker]

So very sorry about your peaches. That’s why raccoons have little masks on their faces, they’re thieves. Perhaps put netting up or, get a large dog that stays out 24/7 to chase them away. I hope you find a solution.

[AcrosstheHedge]

I struggled with this for a couple of years with our fruit trees. I agree with the other commenters about electrifying the little fence you have around your tree. Our fig tree bears fruit low to the ground (like less than a foot off the ground), and is not really in a place to add an electric fence. I tried various sprays to deter the critters from eating the fruit, that did not really help. This year, I have made sure to provide water near my garden, and I have had 1 tomato that was sampled by a racoon! I have also seen many, many more bees and butterflies in the garden. I used the bottom saucers for some plant pots, and in some of them I added marbles for the bees so the water was not so deep. My cameras have repeatedly caught raccoons and possums and birds drinking from the water dishes. I just rinse and refill them when watering the plants.

[deltadawnq]

Maybe try a motion activated sprinkler(solar powered) and/or some coyote urine (sporting goods store). So sorry about your harvest! That would’ve had me in tears! Peaches are my favorite!!

[carotaylor]

I had racoons eat my large koi from my little pond until I put up an electric fence. It will work. It will keep everything out as long as it has a strong current. You could hook it up to your existing fence and just turn it on when your peaches start blooming and turn the fence back off after you pick, saving on electricity. I think you will have great success with this.

[grannysuesfarm]

I had good luck this year keeping racoons out of my sweet corn using Irish spring soap. The odor is really offensive to sensitive animal noses. I cut a bar in quarters and tied them to stakes in the net bags that onions come in, Placed the soap stakes in all directions. I don't know if it would work for you but its a cheap fix to try.

[adm]

We had a horrible racoon problem when we moved to our farm. The only thing that worked was a livestock guardian. However, I've recently seen this thing on Amazon that has a sensor on it. Hooks to a garden hose, sticks in the ground, and will spray a jet stream when it detects motion. The results have been mixed since it seems to be touchy, but might be worth a shot.

[lizworkman]

When we had a raccoon in our outside wall, the man that came to try to remove him just put in a battery powered radio. The raccoon hated the noise, it was white noise, and he left.

[teeterhorse]

electric, they got my garden too.So I installed a portable electric horse fence I have. I heard them shortly after when they hit the fence one night. Went out to see the little monster swimming back across the creek. No problems since. Get rid of their ladder access.Little robbers.

[longarmsupplies]

LOL, at first I was going to say the workers had a tasty snack! Then you said 50 and whew!

[joeyhardin]

OH Disheartening. I agree with Jack. You are too far out in the country to relocate critters, an electric fence would be my go-to. God Bless and stay safe.

[carriem]

Solar electric fencing……guard dog…..heavy netting……

[WillowsGarden]

I had to put the wire around the tree about 5 feet out and all the way around, making a fence area that was not close enough to have easy access to my peach tree. Then I ran an electric wire at the top and bottom. It worked, kept the deer and raccoons away. I only had the electric fencing on during the summer. Hope you have a blessed day!

[tamaramcghee]

Another U-tuber said that raccoons don't like epsom salt . She puts it around her chicken coop to keep them away. The rain washes it away, but you would only need to keep it around your tree when your peaches are getting ripe. Hope this helps.