Be Silly. Be honest. Be kind.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Birds as Pests
Birds are both friend and foe to the gardener because they
help control insect populations in the garden, but they
can also damage your crops. I don't begrudge birds and
occasional nibble, but if they seriously damage your
garden or spoil your harvest it's time to take action. Try
some of these tips to help control your bird population:
Scare Tactics
- Birds can sometimes be frightened off by plastic snakes,
inflatable owls, and other devices that resemble
predators. Reposition them occasionally sothat they appear
to be moving around the garden.
- Unusual noises also frighten birds. Try humming lines,
aluminum pie plates, or portable radios.
- Your cats and dogs will will help convince the birds to
find another place to nest.
- Flashing lights work for some birds.
Annoy the birds
Coat surfaces where birds like to sit with Bird Tanglefoot.
This sticky coating will annoy the birds, and they will
not be likely to light there again.
Distract Them
Plant alternative food sources to distract the birds from
your vegetables.
Eliminate Nesting Sites
Birds like to nest in sheltered areas. Prune fruit trees
so that the canopy is open and remove any potential ground
nesting sites.
Physical Controls
When all else fails, cover your crops with netting or
floating row covers.
