Best way (cheapest) to stop flies from attacking the figs on my fig tree?

Question

I am looking for a low cost way to stop flies from attacking the figs on my fig tree. Also any ideas about keeping birds away.
Thanks Bob

Answer 1

theres a really good product on the market called NEEM. Its organic so it wont hurt your fruit or you when you eat it, just the insect. Just make sure you read the directions because its an oil that can burn your plant if its used past a certain temperature.

Answer 2

First of all, make sure that they ARE flies! Figs are normally pollinated mainly by certain species of wasp (which are harmless and don't sting) which look very like a fly, so you do NOT want to use any insecticide.

The flower of the fig is enclosed and the wasp enters through a hole in the end of what looks like a small, immature fig. This may be what you have observed as 'flies attacking the figs'. They are very likely wasps doing their natural job of pollinating the figs so that you actually get a crop! There are some varieties which do not need pollination but the wasps will do no harm, an any case.

I don't think that flies, as such (blue and green bottles, for example), are a problem with figs. What damage do you perceive them as doing?

To keep birds away, use a coarse mesh netting thrown over the tree or hung from the wall, if they are trained against a wall.

Answer 3

There are several methods for fly detterence the most effective is the Granger-Sweeny method developed at Harvard. It involves simulating the flies natural predators. A homes based cocktail of strong alchohol, such as bourbon, lemon juice and franks redhot will simulate snake venom a natural enemy of the fly. Similarly if one would beat alot of leaves off the tree daily while making loud noises flies would no longer adapt to this comfy surounding. While a cd hanging from a string will reflect enough light to deter birds and some flies...good luck to you

Answer 4

You can hang sticky-yellow fly strips right in your tree. Not only will it help with the flies, but also whites flies, and it will scare birds (some-what) as the wind blows it. Birds are a true problem with figs as they ripen too.
God Bless
grandma

Answer 5

cd's hanging might keep birds away - my neighbor uses them. flies are tough -

I use bird screening to keep the birds away - a plastic mesh made for vinyards

Answer 6

do a george washington .....chop down the tree

Answer 7

COVER IT WITH A TREE NET