I've tried everything with the bushy-tail rats. I have stood right under the tree with my pellet gun shooting them and they do not care. Macadamia is like a drug to them. I get them, but can't guard the tree all day. During mango season I go a little more ballistic and go after them. But, the macadamia, eh...too hard to crack open anyway. I'm thinking of getting rid of the tree as I never get any nuts.