Last fall I moved into an apartment with a plum tree in the front yard. I don’t know anything about plants or trees or fruit, and now that summer is here there are hundreds of plums dangling off this tree. They’re attracting millions of ants, as well as raccoons, possums, rats, and a few bold humans who I’ve caught plucking from the tree.

I guess I like plums? But there’s around a week left until they all fall to the ground and become a horrifying slurry, and I’d rather avoid that.

Any suggestions?

TLDR: Have plum tree, it’s bursting with plums, no idea what to do in order to avoid ant apocalypse

  • thawed_caveman@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    a few bold humans who I’ve caught plucking from the tree

    Let them. You’re about to have more plums than you know what to do with, and yes leaving them there will get gross and attract all kinds of critters; you should encourage people to pick your plums, or pick them yourself and give them out. People are suggesting making jam and pies and such but that’s a lot of additional work compared to just dumping them on your neighbors.

    For picking plums, i recommend using a broomstick or curtain rod to shake each branch, all the plums fall, you pick them up. This should be done a few times a year.