Yes, squirrels are known to love pomegranates. While pomegranate trees are generally considered easy to grow and typically experience few pest problems, squirrels are a notable exception and are highly attracted to the fruit.
Strategies to Protect Pomegranates from Squirrels
Protecting your pomegranate harvest from these bushy-tailed fruit lovers often hinges on making the fruit less visible or accessible. As the saying goes, what one can't see, one is unlikely to covet. Here are practical approaches to deter squirrels from your pomegranates:
- Covering Fruit: Enclosing individual pomegranates or entire branches with fine mesh bags, netting, or bird netting can effectively obscure them from a squirrel's view. This physical barrier also prevents direct access, making it difficult for them to chew through the rind.
- Physical Barriers: Installing barriers around the tree trunk, such as sheet metal or plastic tree collars, can make it harder for squirrels to climb up and reach the fruit. Pruning lower branches that might offer an easy jump-off point from fences or other structures can also help.
- Timely Harvesting: Picking pomegranates as soon as they ripen reduces the window of opportunity for squirrels to discover and consume them. Regularly checking your trees and harvesting promptly can significantly minimize loss.
By implementing these strategies, gardeners can increase their chances of enjoying the sweet, tart bounty of their pomegranate trees without sharing it all with local squirrel populations.
