Why is it important to hang a tennis ball in fruit trees and what is its role
A tennis ball in itself does not directly help keep bugs away from fruit trees. However, there are some creative ways people use tennis balls in gardening that could indirectly influence the presence of pests:
#1 Attracting Birds:
Sometimes, tennis balls are used to attract birds. Birds can be drawn to colorful objects suspended in trees, and their presence can help control insect and pest populations. Birds feed on many types of insects, including those that may be harmful to trees.
#2 As Support for Traps or Repellents:
Tennis balls can be used as a holder or casing to contain natural repellents or sticky substances that capture pests. For example, a tennis ball covered with a sticky substance (such as tanglefoot) can act as a trap for certain flying pests.
#3 Imitation for Attracting Pests:
In some cases, colored objects like tennis balls can be used to mimic fruits and attract pests away from the actual fruits. This is similar to using “red ball traps” to attract and catch moths.
#4 Entertainment for Birds and Other Wildlife:
Placing tennis balls in trees can provide amusement or a source of interest for birds and other wildlife, thereby diverting them away from fruits.
It’s important to note that these uses of tennis balls are more creative and unconventional methods and are not based on solid scientific research. Pest control in fruit trees, especially in an organic way, requires a more complex and varied approach.
