Bird Control for Gardens

Bird Control for Gardens

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you're like most people, you put a lot of time and effort into your garden. You till and fertilize, trim and cut; then, since you didn't invest in bird control measures, the birds come. They're lovely to hear and watch, but they can quickly destroy a garden. Especially if you're growing fruits, grapes and other edible plants. Pest birds not only eat and destroy these plants, but they contaminate them with their droppings--droppings that can carry any of 60 known diseases. In addition, Bird droppings cause unsightly stains on fencing, gazebos, patio structures and awnings.

Pigeons, for example, will typically leave pounds of droppings and other waste materials all over your garden.  And if you have a pond, the fish you have in it will be vulnerable to birds like the Great Blue Heron. Then there's the problem of woodpeckers--they can easily mar any wood structures you have erected in your garden, not to mention the damage they cause to wood roofing shingles and siding. Suddenly, you realize the value of bird control.

Finally, starlings and blackbirds won't hesitate to feast on all those fruits and vegetables you spend all year pampering. And lest we not forget Canada geese, who enjoy eating large swaths of fresh lawn while leaving up to a pound a day (per goose) of droppings.

Bird Control to the Rescue!

While some gardeners get so frustrated with pest birds they just want to shoot or poison them, these days, there's no need to resort to such lethal bird control measures. So put away your BB guns and avicides (bird poisons) and take advantage of some of today's most effective and humane bird control measures. Yes, you can use bird traps, if you only have a bird or two invading you garden; but if you're being inundated with pest birds, you might try some of the following proven bird control measures.

Hawk Decoys

Like most living things, birds like to feel safe when they eat, roost or nest. They don't relish the thought of settling down with a natural predator glaring down at them. Many birds fear hawks, which unlike owls, hunt during the day. Easy to mount and display, these realistic looking bird control decoys are made of heavy duty plastic and are weather and water-resistant. They can be hung from rafters or overhangs, or simply placed on elevated areas around your garden, patio or rooftop. For added stability, some decoys are hollow so you can open up their bottom tab and fill them with sand.

Bird Netting

One of the best tried and true ways to deter birds from your garden is through the use of bird netting. Today bird repellent netting is available in many types and mesh sizes. One product particularly well suited for achieving bird control for gardens is Ultra Net. It provides a humane, low profile way of preventing birds from getting at fruit trees, bushes and gardens. This lightweight bird netting is made from durable, U.V.-protected polypropylene, yet it's virtually invisible. This netting comes in 3/4-, 1/2-, and 1/4-inch mesh sizes and can be ordered in bulk rolls or pieces. This netting is an ideal bird control method for use against pigeons, swallows, crows, gulls and sparrows.

Ultra Net is also lightweight and easy to work with. For vegetable gardens, wrap individual plants in netting or suspend the netting around the entire garden area for protection. For blueberry bushes and grape vines, the netting should be suspended over the bushes or vines by at least 6 inches. This will keep pest birds from sitting on the net and eating fruit through the mesh. One way to suspend the netting is to attach it to a series of poles placed around the perimeter. To protect fruit trees, cut the netting using the circumference of the tree as a guide, leaving at least one foot extra. Secure the netting with twine, zip ties or hog rings.

Bird Spiders Whip them Away

These clever devices can be placed just about anywhere to discourage pest birds from landing in your garden. The bird spider's flailing arms wave menacingly in the breeze to convince even the most persistent pest birds feel threatened. Bird spiders come in several arm lengths to whip away all manner of pest birds. They're easy to move around, too, so you can put them where pest birds like to gather.

Bird Scare Banners, Flash Tape, Balloons

These are the Bird Scare Deterrents that create what's known as an “Optical Distraction Zone.” They consist of simple reflective foils that crackle in the breeze, shiny tape banners that crinkle in the wind, and balloons with huge predator eyes that bob and weave to make pest birds really feel uneasy. If pest birds have invaded your spa, pond or fish pool, you can fill bird scare balloons partially with water and let them skim the surface to scare birds away. For best bird control, be sure to occasionally swap these deterrents from location to location.