How to keep birds away without harming them?

As gardeners and farmers as much as you love birds you would like to protect your crops equally.

Birds can pose a significant threat to your garden and crops by pecking at ripening fruits, eating seedlings, or damaging crops.

In this post, you will learn some effective ways to protect your produce from birds without harming them.

1. Bird Netting: The Most Effective and Humane Solution

Bird netting is one of the most reliable and widely used methods for keeping birds away from gardens, orchards, and farms. It physically blocks birds from accessing fruits, vegetables, and seedlings without harming them.

Bird netting is one of the most reliable and widely used methods for keeping birds away from gardens, orchards, and farms. It physically blocks birds from accessing fruits, vegetables, and seedlings without harming them.

Key Benefits of Bird Netting

• Effective Protection: This creates a physical barrier that prevents birds from reaching your crops.
• Wildlife-Friendly Options: Wildlife-safe bird netting with a mesh size of 5mm or more complies with regulations and prevents entanglement of non-target species.
• Durability: High-quality bird netting, when installed properly, can last for years and protect large areas.
• Customisable: Available in rolls or cut-to-length options, bird netting can be tailored to your specific needs, whether for fruit trees, vegetable gardens, or berry patches.

How to Use Bird Netting

1. Cover Fruit Trees and Bushes: Drape bird netting over fruit trees, securing it at the base to keep birds from slipping underneath.
2. Protect Vegetable Gardens: Use netting over rows of vegetables or raised garden beds to shield your produce.
3. Install with Frames or Stakes: For maximum effectiveness, create a sturdy structure using stakes, hoops, or frames to support the netting.

Sage Horticultural offers high-quality anti bird netting options, including cut-to-length or rolls, to suit any garden or farm. Available in black or white, you can choose a colour that complements your environment.

2. Deterrents

Visual and auditory deterrents can scare birds away from your garden. While not as reliable as bird netting, these methods work well as a complementary strategy.

Common Deterrents

• Scarecrows: Classic scarecrows, made with reflective materials or moving parts, can deter birds temporarily.
• Reflective Tape or Objects: Hanging reflective tape, CDs, or aluminium foil around your garden can confuse and deter birds.
• Fake Predators: Plastic owls, hawks, or snakes placed strategically in the garden can keep birds at bay. Rotate their positions often to maintain their effectiveness.

3. Use Natural Repellents

Natural repellents can help discourage birds from entering your garden. These are eco-friendly and easy to implement.

Examples of Natural Repellents

• Spicy Sprays: Birds dislike the taste of chilli or pepper sprays, which can be applied to plants (ensure it’s safe for edibles).
• Garlic or Onion Solutions: The smell of garlic or onions can be unappealing to birds and other pests.

While these methods won’t guarantee 100% protection, they can reduce bird activity in specific areas.

4. Provide Alternative Food Sources

One way to protect your crops is to redirect birds’ attention by providing them with alternative food sources.

How It Works

• Install Bird Feeders: Place bird feeders away from your garden to satisfy birds’ hunger and divert them from your crops.
• Grow Sacrificial Plants: Plant fast-growing grains or flowers that attract birds, giving them something to nibble on away from your main garden.

5. Netting Alternative: Row Covers and Shade Cloths

If bird netting is not an option, row covers and shade cloths can offer some level of protection.

Benefits

• Row covers keep birds away from seedlings and young plants.
• Shade cloths offer protection from birds and harsh sunlight, creating a dual-purpose solution.

However, these options may not be as effective for larger plants or fruit trees.

7. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents

Motion-activated sprinklers or sound devices can scare birds away when triggered.

How They Work

• Sprinklers: Release a jet of water when motion is detected, startling birds without harming them.
• Sound Devices: Emit predator or distress calls to scare birds away.

These deterrents are humane and effective, but they work best when combined with other methods like netting.