Birds can be a nuisance in gardens by eating seedlings, vegetables, and fruits. While some birds may provide benefits like eating insects or pollinating plants, an overabundance of birds can damage gardens and crops. Home gardeners often look for safe and effective ways to deter birds from their gardens. Understanding which techniques work best to scare birds away can help protect gardens without harming birds or the environment.
Why Are Birds a Problem in Gardens?
Birds are very attracted to the fruits, seeds, and insects that gardens provide. Backyard gardens offer easy sources of food that birds naturally want to take advantage of. Some of the main reasons birds can cause issues in gardens include:
- Eating newly planted seeds and seedlings – Birds scratch up newly planted seeds to eat them. They also pluck out young sprouts.
- Damaging ripening fruits and vegetables – Birds peck and feed on ripening tomatoes, berries, peas, and other fruits/veggies.
- Spreading weeds – Birds eat the seeds of weeds and then spread those seeds through their droppings as they fly around yards.
- Making a mess – The droppings birds leave behind can cause unsanitary conditions and spread diseases.
The types of birds most problematic in gardens are typically seed-eating birds and fruit-eating birds. Sparrows, finches, blackbirds, crows, and pigeons are some of the biggest culprits. The extent of damage birds cause depends on the size of the garden and how many birds are trying to feed there. Large flocks of birds can quickly decimate vegetable rows and fruiting plants.
Should Birds Be Completely Excluded From Gardens?
While birds can cause significant damage, they aren’t all bad for gardens. Some birds help control insect and snail populations. And hummingbirds, orioles, and other pollinators are important for pollinating flowers and crops.
The goal shouldn’t be to completely exclude all birds from the garden. A balanced approach involves deterring the problem birds and birds that show up in excess. But allowing some birds that benefit the garden or don’t cause issues. With thoughtful technique choices and adaptions, gardens can repel the most problematic birds while permitting helpful wildlife.
How To Humanely Scare Birds Away From Gardens
There are many techniques for scaring birds that don’t harm them. Using multiple deterrents together provides the best protection. Options that are effective and humane include:
Reflective Scare Devices
Shiny objects that move in the wind and reflect sunlight startle birds. These flashing objects look like predators to birds and trigger their instinct to flee. Reflective tape, old CDs, metallic streamers, and mirrored garden spinners can be placed around gardens. Hang these items from branches, posts, or fences at the same height birds fly and land at when feeding.
Fake Predators
Lifelike replicas of birds of prey like hawks and owls frighten little birds. Place fake hawks or owl statues around the garden. Move them to new spots occasionally so birds don???t get used to them. Some fake predators have moving parts and head motion activated by batteries or solar power. Motion makes them more convincing.
Scarecrows
The classic human-shaped scarecrow continues to effectively deter birds. Place scarecrows in open areas amidst crops. Move them frequently and change their apparel to make birds think new people are in the garden. Modern scarecrows feature moving arms or other mechanisms birds won’t get accustomed to.
Sounds and Ultrasonics
Sounds that cause alarm or distress calls trigger birds to flee danger. Devices are available that play recorded bird alarm calls. Ultrasonic sounds are silent to humans but upset birds and overload their senses. Use multiple speakers or noisemakers spaced around the garden to cover all areas birds try to enter from.
Physical Barriers
Prevent birds from getting to fruits and vegetables by putting physical barriers in their way. Row covers, plastic netting, wire cages, and other obstructions make it hard for birds to reach plants. Protect seedbeds with screen mesh until sprouts are established. Cover fruit trees or bushes with netting as fruits ripen.
Best Bird Deterrents For Protecting Specific Crops
Certain bird deterrents are most effective for safeguarding specific garden crops:
Vegetable Gardens and Seedlings
Young vegetable starts and freshly planted seeds need protection from birds digging up sprouts and seedlings. Use scare tape, aluminum pie pans that spin in the breeze, or plastic owl statues among the rows. Drape bird netting over beds, anchoring the edges with U-shaped landscape pins. Remove the netting once plants are established.
| Deterrent | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Scare tape | Shiny flashing tape startles birds |
| Aluminum pie pans | Reflective pans swaying in wind deter birds |
| Plastic owl statue | Fake predator makes birds wary |
| Bird netting | Physical barrier prevents bird access |
Berry Bushes and Fruit Trees
Berry crops like raspberries, blueberries, and currants need protection as fruits ripen. Drape bird netting with small mesh holes over bushes or fruit tree branches. Use overhead support frames or hoops to keep the netting from contacting fruit. Secure the netting so birds can???t get underneath.
| Deterrent | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Bird netting | Netting wrapped over plants blocks access |
| Overhead support frame | Keeps netting from touching fruit |
| Secure edges | Stops birds from getting underneath |
Sweet Corn
Corn ripening on the stalks attracts birds that peck holes in ears and eat kernels. Set up scare tape near corn to flap in the wind. Use fake hawk kites that soar overhead, frightening birds away. Or string aluminum pie pans along cord suspended above corn rows. The rattling flashing pans will deter birds.
| Deterrent | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Scare tape | Shiny moving tape startles birds |
| Hawk kite | Fake aerial predator scares birds |
| Aluminum pie pans on cord | Clanging reflective pans scare birds |
When Birds May Still Be Beneficial
Some birds that visit yards and gardens can be helpful to have around. Robins, nuthatches, warblers, and chickadees eat insect pests. And hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees cross-pollinate flowers and food crops as they move between blossoms. Avoid deterrents during pollination so essential pollinators aren???t also kept away.
Consider allowing chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and other insect-eaters to keep visiting. They can reduce pests like aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and flies. Also permit hummingbirds and orioles access to nectar flowers they depend on. With selective deterrents, it’s possible to reap the benefits certain birds provide while keeping excess birds from damaging fruits and vegetables.
Combining Multiple Bird Deterrent Techniques
No single bird scare tactic will work perfectly on its own. Birds quickly adapt when something doesn’t pose real danger. Using diverse repellents together provides better success. Combine visual frights like scarecrows, flash tape, and fake predators. Add in sound deterrents like bird distress calls and ultrasonic devices. Erect physical barriers around ripening fruits and vegetables.
Employ various deterrents throughout the season as different crops and growth stages need protection. Move visual scare devices to new locations so they appear fresh and unsafe. Alternate sounds or turn ultrasonics on and off randomly. Use netting and row covers during early growth, then remove them when plants are established. A strategic combination of diverse scare tactics will keep birds guessing.
Key Tips For Effective Bird Deterrents
Follow these tips to enhance success using bird scare devices:
- Start deterrents before birds become established.
- Employ multiple techniques together.
- Move visual devices frequently.
- Use sound deterrents randomly.
- Secure physical barriers fully.
- Modify approaches as crops and seasons change.
Beginning bird control early before birds get comfortable invading the garden gives the upper hand. Unexpected flashing objects, distress calls, suddenly appearing predators, and barriers before birds arrive signals they aren’t welcome. Maintaining an element of surprise and uncertainty with a diverse array of regularly changed deterrents prevents birds from adapting.
Avoiding Harmful Bird Deterrents
Some conventional bird scare products can harm birds and other wildlife. Avoid deterrents that seem cruel or could injure animals. Prevent techniques like these:
Pesticide Poisons
Chemical bird poisons also poison pets, wildlife, and the ecosystem. Insecticides harm beneficial pollinators and insects. Seek natural, non-toxic repellents instead of dangerous pesticides.
Explosive Noisemakers
Fireworks, propane cannons, and other explosive sounds physically injure birds or damage their hearing. Products that produce extremely loud blasts should be avoided.
Glue Traps
Adhesives that stick to birds cause panic, injuries, and death. Sticky pastes also catch non-target animals like butterflies. Traps that immobilize birds in distress are inhumane.
Netting With Loose Edges
Unsecured netting edges allow birds to become trapped underneath. They become hopelessly entangled and often die. Any protective netting must be tightly fastened down.
Conclusion
Protecting backyard gardens from excessive bird damage can be achieved humanely. Installing diverse scare tactics before birds congregate works best. Combining various visual, sound, and physical deterrents that are regularly moved or changed keeps birds uncertain. Some beneficial insect and pollinator birds can continue assisting the garden when selective deterrents are employed. With thoughtful, ethical bird control techniques, gardens and birds can both flourish.
