Getting Stinging Bugs Off My Figs

MoonRiver · #1 07/29/10, 09:21 PM

Cross Posted from singletree. Figured I would get more response here.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the honey bees, bumble bees, wasps, and yellow jackets off my figs? I tried using my leather gloves to pick figs, but that only works for the figs on the outside of the tree. I tried a spray of soap and water, but that just made them move higher in the tree.

I often see multiple bees on 1 fig. When there is a cluster of figs, there might be a bumble bee, a couple honey bees, and several wasps. I tried shaking the branch to get them to move, but they didn't seem to appreciate that very much.

The good news is they are so high on figs, they don't pay much attention to me.

I was hoping to make some fig preserves and even try making a small batch of fig wine, but I need to get rid of these bugs before all the figs go rotten.

I've got the same problem with my grapes, but it's not very bad yet as the grapes are just starting to ripen. They were all over my raspberries too. This is the 1st year I have had this problem.

JuliaAnn · #2 07/29/10, 10:43 PM

No help for you, other than to get a long pruning hook or something to cut off the figs high in the tree.

Are the fruit splitting, or do they have an open eye? That will often draw bees and wasps as well as other insects.

I only seem to have problems with bees etc when the fruit split due to too much rain.

tinknal · #3 07/29/10, 11:38 PM

How about picking at night?

watcher · #4 07/30/10, 09:04 AM

Shouldn't be a problem unless you grab a critter while picking but if you wear gloves that shouldn't even be a worry. They aren't going to sting you just because you are working in the tree unless the hive/nest is in it. Its not like they are just sitting there waiting for you to reach in so they can attack you. Just ignore them and they'll ignore you.

ChristieAcres · #5 07/30/10, 09:49 AM

There are all kinds of ways to deter bees, but if I were you, I would just borrow a bee suit and pick your figs. We had wasp nests on the eves of our home. We got rid of the wasps, but left up the nests. I'd read the nests themselves are a deterrent. In my garden cabin, there is a wasp nest, and I am leaving it there, since I haven't had a single problem (got rid of the wasps last year in that nest).

ldc · #6 07/30/10, 10:23 AM

Figs are wasp pollinated; guess they figured to come back and get their rewards!!! ldc

motdaugrnds · #7 07/30/10, 11:22 AM

This occurs to us when we pick our beans. We all seem to pick together (wasps, bees & me).

If I were you, I would pick at night when all those you are concerned about are sleeping.

lilray · #8 07/30/10, 04:10 PM

smoke em off

ChristieAcres · #9 07/30/10, 06:13 PM

As a beekeeper, I would have suggested that, however, I don't think I'd want my figs "smoked," so figured she wouldn't either.

MoonRiver · #10 07/30/10, 06:43 PM

I came up with a partial solution. Spray the heck out of them with the garden hose. Clear out one spot and pick the figs. Move to next spot and repeat.

The only problem is bumblebees have to be hit directly with a strong stream of water or their not budging. Once the skin has been ripped from a fig, they cling to the fig in a death grip. Still used leather gloves to be on the safe side.

Navotifarm · #11 07/30/10, 09:57 PM

I would pick after the buzzy critters had retired for the night which should be well before sunset. Cooler and more pleasant then, too. We've had some fierce hot days lately!
How SOUTHERN Virginia are you? Can I, too, have figs in my part of Virginia (about 20 minutes north of charlottesville)? What kind do you have? Where did you get them? How long before they bear? Are yours hardy enough to leave outdoors all winter or do you have a greenhouse? Hope you don't mind my asking. When I lived in california, we had figs. I loved them!

texican · #12 07/30/10, 10:53 PM

Pick them every day... if you let them get really ripe, the insects will start eating them.

I've picked over 12 gallons so far, and haven't gotten stung yet. "Usually" the ones the bees are on are already starting to ferment. I usually leave those on the tree, to feed the bees and wasps. I reckon they'd sting me if I squeezed em... look before you pick.

Now after saying that I'll get stung on the next picking!

JuliaAnn · #13 07/30/10, 11:36 PM

The only figs pollenated by wasps are caprifigs, which must be pollenated by a very specific wasp, and not by any other species of wasp. Caprifig wasps are very tiny, smaller than a fly. If a caprifig is not pollentated, the fruit aborts. These wasps do not live in the U.S., and only have survived in California after being imported here. I do not know if currently any survive in 'the wild' in California, but they are not native to this country. If the OP is harvesting ripe figs, it is not a caprifig, but rather the plain old 'garden variety' fig,Ficus carica, which do not require pollenation to set and retain their fruit.

Many varieties of F. carica have eyes that are open, partially closed or completely closed. On the closed varieties insects cannot enter into the fruit and cause them to spoil. I might suggest looking for figs that have closed eyes, which might reduce the insect problem.

And definetely pick every day. Even the figs that seem like they need a few more days will begin to nod on their little stems (depending on variety as some have little or no necks, especially the breba fruits on some varieties) the day after you look at them.

I've got a boatload in the freezer--no time to can or make wine right now, going to have to wait a week or three--- and am already getting sick of eating them fresh. I have three very nosy hens who have discovered that they can jump up and peck hunks out of the low-hanging figs. Hooray. These are the same trio that have figured out how to jump up and pull tomatoes off my Matt's Wild Cherry tomato.

MoonRiver · #14 07/31/10, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navotifarm

I would pick after the buzzy critters had retired for the night which should be well before sunset. Cooler and more pleasant then, too. We've had some fierce hot days lately!
How SOUTHERN Virginia are you? Can I, too, have figs in my part of Virginia (about 20 minutes north of charlottesville)? What kind do you have? Where did you get them? How long before they bear? Are yours hardy enough to leave outdoors all winter or do you have a greenhouse? Hope you don't mind my asking. When I lived in california, we had figs. I loved them!

I'm just this side of the NC border in Danville. The tree was here when I bought the place 3 years ago. I don't do anything to protect it. I also have 1 new tree that I started from a root cutting. Started 2 and both seemed to die, but one leafed out this year and now seems fine. I tried starting some from cuttings, but none of them rooted. Probably because I didn't take very good care of them.

I know katydidagain had figs in Maryland, so I'm sure there are some types that would be fine where you are. You might pm her as she is/was the fig lady.

In regards to picking at night, someone on this board said bumblebees don't return to the nest at night, but sleep wherever they are.

MoonRiver · #15 07/31/10, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

Pick them every day... if you let them get really ripe, the insects will start eating them.

I've picked over 12 gallons so far, and haven't gotten stung yet. "Usually" the ones the bees are on are already starting to ferment. I usually leave those on the tree, to feed the bees and wasps. I reckon they'd sting me if I squeezed em... look before you pick.

Now after saying that I'll get stung on the next picking!

I got stung on the tip of my finger picking raspberries right at dusk. It was the most painful sting I ever had, so I am gun shy about sticking my hand into the figs. I've noticed the wasps tend to be on the shady side of the figs, so sometimes even when you think the fig is OK to pick, a wasp is sitting on the backside. The yellow jackets and bees don't seem to have a preference. When I reach in up to my shoulder to get the figs way back in there, I really can't see exactly what I am sticking my arm into. That's the part that worries me. But the hose seems to get all of the bugs to move without riling them up very much.

motdaugrnds · #16 07/31/10, 11:40 AM

MoonRiver, I am just north of Danville and have a Kadota Fig growing well that is loaded with figs. I planted it last year and last winter the 2 nice limbs got killed by winter frost. This year, however, the tree put out many limbs from just under the 2 that were destroyed; so I know the roots are in good shape. It is now about 6' high.

So far no insects are bothering it; but then the fruit is not nearly ripe. I am wondering "when" to harvest this fruit and whether or not it will continue to ripen if harvested too soon. (Guess I will find out as I have never grown figs before and have no idea as to how Kadota figs ripen.) This fall I will be planting a Brown Turkey down near the buck house (also protected from northeastern winds).

JuliaAnn · #17 07/31/10, 01:14 PM

Don't mean to butt into the conversation, but thought I would say that no, figs do not continue to ripen after you pick them like some other fruits do. They will start to ferment and then rot.

katydidagain · #18 07/31/10, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliaAnn

Don't mean to butt into the conversation, but thought I would say that no, figs do not continue to ripen after you pick them like some other fruits do. They will start to ferment and then rot.

You're right they don't ripen further off the tree/bush. Knowing when to pick can be tricky. If they "give" with a gentle squeeze, they're ready; my ficus mentor taught me that. Summers I'd stop by to visit her; she had baskets of figs in her "cool" (shaded) kitchen which she'd picked a few days before but hadn't eaten (she was a true ficofile!) or processed but they weren't rotting or fermenting. (I resisted her efforts to send some home with me; I raise(d) them but don't eat them.) If the bees are coming, you're waiting too long.

JuliaAnn · #19 07/31/10, 05:26 PM

Around here, a fig left laying anywhere for more than a day WILL ferment and then rot. If your mentor was in a dry climate, they would dry out.

katydidagain · #20 07/31/10, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliaAnn

Around here, a fig left laying anywhere for more than a day WILL ferment and then rot. If your mentor was in a dry climate, they would dry out.

No, she lived in MD just outside of DC where it's VERY humid. She knew that picking a fig when it "was just a bit soft" was the right time. They don't rot within 24 hours and you are not bothered with bees and or wasps if you pick them timely. Regardless of your harvesting schedule, you might lose many to birds; they adore any flower--ripe or not IME.