It will help keep you free of all problem pests!
The sure-fire way to prevent birds and other animals attacking and eating your plump, ripening fruit is to use a good old-fashioned net to cover them. As our garden animals, insects and birds can’t distinguish between berried bushes that are there for them to eat and those we grow for our own use, we’ve no choice but to do something about it at this time of year.
Now your autumn fruit trees have been pollinated and the fruit is set and ripening, you can invest in a good solid roll of mesh from the garden centre, which will prevent against birds, wasps, squirrels, aphids, hard rain damage and hail.
If you only have problems with birds, you can use larger- holed bird netting, but to be free of all problem pests, use a tight mesh that only lets rainfall in. Keep checking it regularly to ensure it’s still tight and secure.
As well as larger trees, net over your autumn raspberry and blackberry bushes, too.
THE COMMON PESTS TO WATCH OUT FOR!
Wasps! A classic autumn fruit pest, you can try enveloping fruit trusses in muslin bags, nylon tights or other mesh. They will attack grapes, pears, plums and apples.
Squirrels! Most ornamentals and edibles, bird feeders and seeds are all at risk! Use mesh or a cage to keep them at bay. They will attack strawberries, apples, pears and nuts.
Birds! Using mesh may be safer for birds, as they can get stuck in fruit cages or large netting. They will attack fresh soft fruit.