Possums? (forum)

Caroline starts with ...
Sorry if this has been asked previously but I am asounded (not to mention annoyed). Last week we had hundreds of nectarines - today I noticed that there is not one single one left on the tree! But all the stones remain intact. I know we have the occasional rat but this has never happened in previous seasons. Haven't seen any possums..... and will the peaches be next?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 10th January 2009 11:09am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Caroline
Adelaide
#UserID: 1840
Posts: 3
View All Caroline's Edible Fruit Trees

paula says...
I'm not sure if that is possums Caroline. The ones at my place tear the whole fruit off, and that looks a bit too delicate for them to do. I have no idea what sort of animal would leave the stones like that.

Time: 10th January 2009 12:42pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
se queensland
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

SlickMick says...
Could be flying fox? They destroy my nectarine crop overnight

Time: 10th January 2009 4:47pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Slicko
 
#UserID: 1775
Posts: 227
View All Slicko's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
"and will the peaches be next?"

There's every chance they will be I feel. They are pretty tricky critters whatever they are. Like the possums I think the flying foxes would pull the whole fruit away so I'm leaning toward rats, are there any fruit scraps on the ground Caroline

Time: 10th January 2009 5:34pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Wayne
Mackay
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

peter says...
theres no flying foxes in adelaide.
we have possoms at our house also.
theres only two things i can think of,
and thats possoms or galahs.

take a torch out at night time and
look up in the trees.

Time: 10th January 2009 5:34pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author peter30001
adelaide
#UserID: 593
Posts: 293
View All peter30001's Edible Fruit Trees

Jantina says...
The fruit has been picked incredibly clean by that photo, I'm mystified but if I had to guess I'd say rats or birds. The torch idea is a good one.

Time: 10th January 2009 5:47pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
#UserID: 1351
Posts: 1272
View All Jantina's Edible Fruit Trees

Wayne says...
"theres no flying foxes in adelaide."

I'm liking Adelaide more and more

Time: 10th January 2009 6:55pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(1) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
People who Like this Answer: davewastech1

About the Author Wayne
Mackay
#UserID: 338
Posts: 908
View All Wayne's Edible Fruit Trees

Pauline says...
Wow. We are also in Adelaide. We had possums living in our roof for months (thanks landlord for taking so long to sort it out).
I know they are still around as we hear them sometimes, and they have been eating my pears,while still in place on the tree, they don't seem ripe enough for them to finish a whole one yet, and they have moved onto the figs for the moment.
Anyway, we have only actually seen them 3 times in the last year, but they have definatly been here the whole time. Anyway, my point being that they are cunning.


Time: 11th January 2009 11:03am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Pauline
Adelaide
#UserID: 1532
Posts: 293
View All Pauline's Edible Fruit Trees

Caroline says...
Thanks for your responses - they have moved onto the peach tree next to it and have munched on green peaches in a similar way. I am leaning towards rats (having seen some) although friends have suggested bats (never seen any). Only 'Ruby' the rather frustrated Jack Russell really knows the answer and she's not saying.

Time: 21st January 2009 6:22pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Caroline
Adelaide
#UserID: 1840
Posts: 3
View All Caroline's Edible Fruit Trees

Caroline says...
PS Nothing on the ground, not a shred of evidence (no galah poo either)

Time: 21st January 2009 6:24pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Caroline
Adelaide
#UserID: 1840
Posts: 3
View All Caroline's Edible Fruit Trees

Correy says...
I have found that possums mainly attack the fruit one day before you are ready to eat it :)

I have chicken mesh that I completely cover the bottom of the tree with it seems to deter them if they aren't that hungry.

Time: 21st January 2009 7:20pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Correy
Woolloongabba, Brisbane
#UserID: 3
Posts: 493
View All Correy's Edible Fruit Trees

Kay says...
The interesting thing about Caroline's dilemma is that the entire crop disappeared overnight (more than a hundred) and every stone was still attached to the tree! Possums would hold the fruit and drop uneaten portions to the ground (they do it to my lemons). For rats to eat every peach in one night....that is a very scary thought and makes me glad I live in Melbourne.

Time: 21st January 2009 7:29pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Kay4
Melbourne
#UserID: 1900
Posts: 1
View All Kay4's Edible Fruit Trees

dwarf nectarine says...
Did u find an answer? Same thing has happened to my nectarine :(
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 3rd November 2015 6:28pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author dwarf nectarine
victor harbor
#UserID: 12659
Posts: 4
View All dwarf nectarine 's Edible Fruit Trees