[muckyboots]

 HI all ,i have picked a few of my sweetcorn only to find that the squirrels have taken a fancy to them as well. I picked all of the ripe ones and the tree rats have decimated the remainder .has anyone any tips to protect next years crop ,im really annoyed as it was my best crop, almost . Thanks.

[mumofstig]

I had to net mine when there were a lot of squirrels about  It means you have to grow the shorter growing varieties of corn, as well)

[muckyboots]

Thanks Mum,ill have to try a fruit cage next year ,any suggestions for shorter varieties .

[steven c]

swift are shorter and very sweet and crop earlier than most so maybe easier to cover we had our first experience of squirrels attacking young plants this year cropped about 10 close to the ground actually saw them on the fence eating the stalks first time for this.  we are going back to Swift for next year and try to cover to protect.

[mumofstig]

Yes, I agree Swift...

[Nobbie]

I save odd socks and once the tassels start to change colour I pop them over the cobs and secure with a bit of string. This seems to be 100% effective against mice on my allotment. Reminds me I have a couple of cobs left to harvest

[whaleroad]

I wish I knew. I have just taken to planting extras for the squirrels.

[muckyboots]

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions ,ill be ordering swift and saving my old socks (washed before use i've been told) cheers.

[Marijke Jones]

I bought those sonic animal repellers as I have cats and the odd fox as well. They have several settings including rodents and squirrels. They work on solar power but do USB and are 360 degrees. I bought mine at the Lidl and they work very well. And they actually work. I never had to net the corn.