Ed wrote:


"Tom N" wrote


The $^#% rat still made it inside last night. Nibbled or chomped on
3 apples. Since this is the first year for this tree, the rat has
nibbled on
most of the crop so far.

Yes, same here, is it the year of the rat or what? I've had fruit
trees for years and Never had rats going near them except for this
season.

Rats have been a steadily worsening problem for us over the last few years.

They are the only critter that has defeated the nets! They
got just about all the apples, because unlike the birds, possums &
bats, they have figured out that it's no problem to chew holes in the
net. Think I'll have to get a puddytat.

I've been thinking about an electric fence. It would be relatively easy to
set up the fence to keep rats from climbing the trunk, though they'd likely
search for other ways.

So perhaps a chook wire fence around the circumference of the tree (not
electrified, since it is in contact with the ground), then an insulated and
electrified section, with a net above that.