What is eating my unripe figs? - Ask Extension
This is the first year that my fig trees is producing fruit and something is eating the unripe fruit.
Any ideas on what is eating it and how to deter...
Knowledgebase
What is eating my unripe figs? #878193
Asked July 22, 2024, 4:07 AM EDT
This is the first year that my fig trees is producing fruit and something is eating the unripe fruit.
Any ideas on what is eating it and how to deter pests?
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
This looks like bird damage we get on our tree. Can you watch closely to see what eats them? Rodents are a possible pest as well.
The birds seem to choose a few fruit that are easy to reach on our tree, so we just harvest ripe fruit regularly and leave a few to the birds. If you are losing a lot of fruit, look into bird deterrents like sparkly ribbons or organza bags. You’ll find suggestions readily online. Netting the whole tree is a challenge to install, and trapping birds is a concern. They can get wrapped or caught in the mesh.
Ants will devour a fig, sometimes only leaving the stem, but those are usually ripe fruit. For ants, keep tree pruned so it touches no fence or other plants. A sticky surface around the trunk can keep ants from climbing into the tree. A commercial product is tanglefoot, and there are ways to devise your own, like tape applied with sticky side out. (See link)
The birds seem to choose a few fruit that are easy to reach on our tree, so we just harvest ripe fruit regularly and leave a few to the birds. If you are losing a lot of fruit, look into bird deterrents like sparkly ribbons or organza bags. You’ll find suggestions readily online. Netting the whole tree is a challenge to install, and trapping birds is a concern. They can get wrapped or caught in the mesh.
Ants will devour a fig, sometimes only leaving the stem, but those are usually ripe fruit. For ants, keep tree pruned so it touches no fence or other plants. A sticky surface around the trunk can keep ants from climbing into the tree. A commercial product is tanglefoot, and there are ways to devise your own, like tape applied with sticky side out. (See link)
