It sounds like those squirrels are quite the troublemakers! Using red pepper is a great idea since it’s nonlethal and safe. Here are some effective strategies to help protect your apple and peach trees from squirrels:

1. Red Pepper Spray

Mix a solution of water and cayenne pepper (about 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper per quart of water) and spray it on the apples and peaches. Reapply after rain or watering.

2. Physical Barriers

Tree Trunk Wraps: Wrap the trunks of your trees with metal mesh or hardware cloth to prevent squirrels from climbing up.

Netting: Cover your trees with bird netting or deer fencing to keep squirrels from reaching the fruit.

3. Smell and Taste Deterrents

Predator Urine: Spray small amounts of predator urine (like fox or coyote) around the base of the trees.

Blood Meal: Sprinkle blood meal around the trees to create an unpleasant smell for squirrels.

4. Scare Tactics

Scarecrows and Fake Owls: Place these around your orchard to frighten squirrels away.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These can startle squirrels with a sudden spray of water.

5. Regular Maintenance

Pick Up Fallen Fruit: Remove fallen apples and peaches daily to eliminate easy food sources.

Pruning: Trim branches that overhang or touch other structures to limit access points.

6. Additional Tips

Petroleum Jelly: Coat tree trunks with petroleum jelly to make them slippery and difficult for squirrels to climb.

Hair Clippings: Hang bags of human hair around the trees; the scent can deter squirrels.

Implementing these methods should help protect your crops from those pesky squirrels. Good luck with your apple and peach harvests this year!

I hope this helps!