Do Squirrels Eat Apples Off Trees

If you have apple trees, you’ve probably wondered, do squirrels eat apples off trees? The answer is a resounding yes. These agile backyard visitors are notorious for helping themselves to your fruit. They don’t just take a bite and leave, either. Their feeding habits can leave a mess of half-eaten apples scattered under your tree. Understanding this behavior is the first step to managing it effectively.

Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores. While nuts and seeds are favorites, fruit like apples are a sweet, juicy target. They will climb your tree, bite into multiple apples, and often knock more to the ground than they eat. This isn’t just about hunger. It’s a natural behavior that can frustrate any gardener hoping for a harvest.

Why Squirrels Target Your Apple Tree

Squirrels go after apples for several key reasons. Knowing these helps you see the problem from their perspective.

High-Energy Food Source: Apples provide sugars and carbohydrates, perfect for building fat reserves.
Water Content: In dry seasons, the juicy flesh helps them stay hydrated.
Easy Access: Unlike hard-shelled nuts, apples are soft and easy to bite into right off the branch.
Habit and Territory: Once a squirrel learns your tree is a reliable food source, it will return repeatedly.

The Damage They Cause

Squirrel damage goes beyond missing fruit. Their activity can have longer-term effects on your tree’s health.

Partial Eating: They take a few bites from many apples, ruining the entire crop.
Broken Branches: Their jumping and weight can snap smaller, fruit-laden limbs.
Early Fruit Drop: They often dislodge immature apples, reducing your overall yield.
Secondary Pests: The wounds they create in the fruit attract wasps, ants, and fungal diseases.

Effective Strategies to Protect Your Apples

Protecting your harvest requires a mix of methods. Persistence is key, as squirrels are clever and adaptable.

1. Physical Barriers (Most Effective)

Blocking access is the most reliable solution.

Tree Guards: Wrap a 2-foot-wide metal collar around the trunk, 6 feet off the ground, to prevent climbing from below.
Individual Fruit Bags: Cover developing apples with mesh or paper bags. This protects them from pests and squirrels alike.
Netting: Drape bird netting over the entire tree canopy. Ensure the net is taut and edges are secured to the trunk to prevent entanglement.

2. Deterrents and Distractions

Make your tree less appealing or offer a better option.

Spray Repellents: Apply taste-aversion sprays made with capsaicin (hot pepper) directly on the fruit. Reapply after rain.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Devices like a ScareCrow startle squirrels with a sudden burst of water.
Plant a Decoy: Place a sacrificial feeding station with corn or peanuts far from the tree to draw them away.

3. Habitat Modification

Make your yard less inviting by removing their highways.

Trim tree branches that are within 8 feet of your apple tree or your roof.
Keep the ground clean of fallen fruit promptly, so they aren’t rewarded for visiting.
Use squirrel-proof bird feeders to eliminate an easy food source that keeps them in the area.

When to Take Action

Timing your defenses is crucial for success. Start early in the season, before the squirrels establish a routine.

Early Spring: Install trunk guards before flower petals fall.
Late Spring: Bag individual fruit when they are about the size of a marble.
Summer: Apply repellents and set up sprinklers as fruit begins to ripen and sweeten.
Consistency is your greatest ally. If one method fails, combine it with another.

Living with Backyard Wildlife

Complete elimination is neither practical nor ecologically nessesary. Squirrels play a role in seed dispersal and are part of the backyard ecosystem. The goal is co-existence, not war. By protecting your prized apple tree, you can still enjoy watching their antics elsewhere in your garden. Sometimes, accepting a small shared harvest is the most peaceful solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do squirrels eat green apples?

Yes, they do. Squirrels will often sample apples while they are still hard and green, causing premature fruit drop.

Will squirrels eat all the apples on a tree?

It’s uncommon for them to eat every single apple. However, they can damage or destroy a majority of the crop by taking bites out of many fruits.

What other fruits do squirrels eat?

Squirrels also commonly target pears, peaches, plums, tomatoes, and berries. They are not picky eaters when it comes to fruit.

Do racoons eat apples from trees too?

Raccoons are another common culprit. They often climb trees at night and can cause significant damage, sometimes breaking entire branches.

Is it bad for squirrels to eat apples?

Apples are generally safe for squirrels in moderation. However, the seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide. Squirrels usually don’t eat the core, so this is rarely a issue in a natural setting.

Managing squirrels is an ongoing part of fruit tree gardening. With the right combination of barriers, deterrents, and timing, you can significantly reduce the damage. Remember, their persistence is matched by their intelligence, so be prepared to adapt your tactics. The reward of biting into a homegrown apple, untouched by furry thieves, is well worth the effort.