It’s a good thing I took a picture of that giant fig yesterday because I went out this morning to see if it was ripe enough to pick. Gone! A critter got in there last night and ate about 2/3 of every fig that was even halfway ripe. I’ve declared war on critters. I’m setting up trail cams to see what it is and traps to catch it if it’s a critter and not birds. Usually birds peck holes in a few figs but something ate every one of them that was showing signs of being ripe.
They did the same thing to the peaches. We think it was a critter that climbed up the tree because there were some broken branches. Last year we put temporary fences around the trees in the yard to keep the deer out but never got around to it this year.
There are still plenty of green figs on the tree and if we can control the critters, I’ll still get plenty but dang it . . they got that big one that I really wanted!
Like I said .. never count your chickens til they hatch. Until it’s ripe and I’ve picked it, I guess it’s fair game for anything and anyone who gets there first.
Cilla says
Have you tried throwing a gauze sheet over it and securing it? I have to do that to all my fruit trees and berry bushes. Initial investment is pricey but the gauze lasts for years. I just fold it at the end of the season and put it away. I use staples in places to make it very secure. Toby gets up on the ladder and tosses it over while I hold the other end. Sorry for your loss. I feel your pain!!!!
Donna says
I feel your pain too. My stuff was always 2/3 consumed by squirrels. Greedy little buggers.
Wanda says
I went to pick some of ours and something or someone picked them all even the green ones.must have been kids and didn’t know green ones not ripe. Little boggers.
Sherrill says
Hopefully whatever ate them has an upset stomach!! LOL
Rebecca in SoCal says
What a disappointment. Phooey!
Donna Keating says
Bet it is racoons! Little thieving critters.
Pauline Kennelly says
Betcha it was a coon. They are easy to catch with the large have a heart traps.
Joyce says
Raccoons? Squirrels? Thief for sure! Grrrr.
Jean Truchan says
I know how you feel; we just put some bird netting over my raised garden because some little bugger has been nipping on my tomatoes! Tired of throwing the damaged ones away so hoping this will curtail the thieves. Getting tired of fighting the rabbits eating my container flowers, too!
Laura says
Bears and deer swipe my fruit. It is a race to see who gets it first! One year, it was a bee swarm…totally wiped out my apricot harvest! Grrrr!!!!!!