Big Pest Protection

Possums, birds and bats are always wanting to share in our harvests.

As frustrating as this can be, I recently attended and was a part of a forum discussing wildlife in urban areas and it was interesting to hear so many people having a rather negative opinion of a range of these species. In fact, after listening to the particular scientist that studies the behaviours and adaptations of urban wildlife, we should be in awe of these wildlife species that have adapted to the urban sprawl and survived, even thrived whilst losing a lot of their original habitat and food sources. She called them “Wildlife Super-Heroes”.

None the less there are measures we can take to safely protect our fruiting crops and vegetable gardens from backyard wildlife visitors such as, possums, parrots and flying foxes.

Netting: 

There are new laws in various states of Australia outlining what type of netting can be used on orchards. The old common bird netting can actually be very hazardous to birds, flying foxes and even possums, as they can easily get caught within the open weaves of these types of netting. You are advised to use a much more closely woven form of netting, one that will also as a bonus, help exclude QLD Fruit Fly. The tight weave doesn’t allow the above wildlife to become trapped or caught up.

Pruning:

Keeping your trees pruned to a manageable height makes it easier to cover them with these types of nets.

Sacrificial Crops:

Another option is to provide a food source that isn’t your harvest. Old fruit that isn’t stale or mouldy is one option for possums. And no, you won’t encourage more, as they are very territorial.

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