Reed and gail are correct. I tried EVERYTHING, even found myself out there pleading with the birds, telling that all the pears on the top of the tree were theirs, just leave a few on the bottom for me. Netting was the only thing that worked, and it’s a bear to get on and off, believe me, the taller the tree, the harder. In Hawaii, they use the metal bands as well for palm and other trees to keep the rats off of them. The rodents can climb your trees, and, if within jumping distance of the house, can make their way to your roof and make your house their home.
I tried the flashy mylar and even bad CD’s and that didn’t work either. The mechanical reindeer is funny, do they make those with solar controls so you don’t have to keep them plugged in?