Birds are a welcome sight in the garden, often helping by consuming pests like caterpillars and insects. However, they can quickly become a nuisance when they start feasting on seedlings, fruits, and berries. Managing bird activity in the garden is sometimes necessary to protect your harvest while maintaining a harmonious relationship with wildlife.
Methods That Don’t Work
Some commonly suggested bird control methods are ineffective, despite widespread belief in their benefits. For example, hot pepper sprays are often recommended as a deterrent, but research spanning over 30 years has shown that birds lack the receptors to sense capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers. While mammals such as squirrels and rabbits may be repelled by the strong odor, birds are unaffected. Similarly, ultrasonic devices, which are claimed to repel birds, are essentially useless, as birds can’t perceive ultrasonic sounds any better than humans can. Garlic oil also falls into a questionable category. Although it slightly reduced food intake in European starlings, the idea of garlic-scented berries isn’t exactly appealing.
Bird Netting: A Reliable Barrier
The most effective and reliable method for protecting high-value fruits like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries is bird netting. When properly installed, netting creates a barrier that prevents birds from reaching the fruit. However, there are some challenges. The netting can get caught on thorny plants or entangle smaller birds like hummingbirds. To avoid this, install the netting around a rigid frame, forming a protective enclosure that remains tight on all sides. Alternatively, lightweight fabrics like voile or wedding netting can be draped over plants and secured with clothespins, offering an easy, temporary solution to protect ripening fruits.
Different fruits attract different levels of bird attention. Birds universally recognize cherries and strawberries, but less popular fruits like golden raspberries or gooseberries may be less prone to bird damage. Interestingly, in the UK, birds rarely touch golden raspberries or gooseberries but are drawn to blueberries and red currants.
Scaring Birds Away
For crops that are less appealing to birds, various scare tactics can help deter them. Research from airports worldwide shows that changing scare methods frequently is key to keeping birds at bay. Birds tend to grow accustomed to a single scare tactic, so rotating strategies can increase effectiveness.
In larger areas, objects like the “Terror Hawk” or “Terror Kite” are used to simulate the presence of predators, while smaller garden spaces can benefit from more accessible methods. Reflective tape, wind chimes, or mirrors can create light flashes that disorient birds. Blackbirds, in particular, are deterred by bright yellow objects, such as plastic streamers. Some gardeners use plastic grocery bags, but shiny flash tape and mirrors offer a more attractive alternative.
Scarecrows and Moving Objects
Scarecrows are a classic solution for keeping birds away, especially when they’re repositioned regularly. A scarecrow can be placed on a lawn chair for easy movement, ensuring it remains a fresh deterrent. You can also use objects like scare-eye balloons or create your own by decorating a beach ball. These bright yellow balloons, marked with circular patterns resembling a hawk’s open mouth, give the illusion of a predator’s presence, keeping birds on edge.
Although some of these methods may only be effective for short periods, rotating tactics is key to long-term bird control. A mix of netting, reflective materials, and a scarecrow rotation can provide a balanced solution for protecting your garden without causing harm.
Conclusion
Birds are an essential part of the ecosystem, and while they may cause frustration in the garden, finding ways to peacefully coexist is possible. By using a combination of barriers like netting, scare tactics, and rotating deterrents, you can protect your crops without resorting to harsh measures. When done thoughtfully, both you and the birds can enjoy the bounty of the garden.