How To Keep Squirrels Out Of Pecan Trees

Knowing how to keep squirrels out of pecan trees will greatly increase your pecan harvest. As you know, squirrels need nuts to survive the winter, so they harvest them at their peak and bury them or store them in various places. Over time, squirrels may steal quite a bit of your harvest, especially if you have a large squirrel population.

To learn how to keep squirrels out of pecan trees, you will need:

• Chainsaw
• Netting
• Dry corn
• Sheet metal or aluminum

1. To keep squirrels out of pecan trees make sure trees are not overlapping the roof of your house, garage, or other out building. Squirrels can easily hop to the tree from these buildings. If you see this occurring, you will need to trim the branches away from the building using a chainsaw or other hand saw, depending on the size of the branches.
2. If there are overhead power lines very near the tree you may not be able to stop the squirrel from gaining access unless you net the entire tree. This is a good way to keep squirrels out of pecan trees anyway because it cuts off all access to the tree.
3. Provide an alternative food source for the squirrels such as dry corn. Without another source of food being provided, the squirrel will most likely gnaw through the netting to get at the pecans. Keeping squirrels out of pecan trees means making sure their appetites are satisfied elsewhere.
4. You can make a squirrel guard out of a piece of sheet metal or aluminum. This prevents the squirrels from climbing the tree. Measure at least 24 inches wide and big enough to go around the circumference of the tree. Place it at least five feet off the ground and secure it around the tree with nails or screws and then paint it to make it blend in.

Resources:

Tree squirrel management