There is nothing quite as frustrating to a gardener than spending weeks pampering berry plants only to discover the birds sweep in and wipe out the berries before you can pick the first bowlful. The trick, of course, is to anticipate the birds long before the berries are ripe so that you can head them off and save your crop. There are several effective ways to prevent birds from devouring your berry patch.
Bird Netting
Bird netting is designed to keep birds out while letting sunshine and rain in. It typically consists of plastic netting in green or black. Bird netting can be purchased at garden supplies stores or ordered from seed catalogs.
Pros:
- Provides a barrier between the birds and your berries
- Can be applied early, as it allows flying insects in for pollination
- Relatively inexpensive
- Readily available
Cons:
- Requires installation on a frame
- Can be cumbersome to install over large bushes
- Must be moved or opened to harvest the berries
- May not be aesthetically pleasing
Physical Commercial Deterrents
Physical commercial deterrents include replicas of prey, such as large owls or hawks, snakes or other natural enemies of birds. They also include ultrasonic devices or motion sensor devices that emit sound or spray water when birds fly within range of the berry bush.
Pros
- Readily available at garden supply outlets or online shops
- Blend with the environment
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Hungry birds quickly learn to avoid the deterrents, unless you move them often
- Spraying deterrents do not discriminate and spray anything that moves
- May require electrical wiring
Homemade Physical Deterrents
Homemade physical deterrents include ribbons, strips of aluminum foil, old pie plates and old CDs hung from the bush or nearby trees. These flutter in the wind, reflecting light to scare away birds. They also include noisemakers, like old wind chimes or a set of old keys hung where they will clatter in the wind against a pie plate.
Pros
- Homemade deterrents are made from recycled materials and are typically free
- Easy to install by tying them to branches or along a fence
Cons
- Depend on wind or sunlight to be effective
- May not be aesthetically pleasing
- Birds may become accustomed to them and ignore them
Chemical Taste Repellents
Chemical taste repellents applied to the berries before they ripen are known to repel birds. According to Cornell University, Methyl anthranilate is regarded as safe for human consumption by the FDA and works to repel birds. It is similar in chemical structure to the flavor in Concord grapes and is approved for use in blueberry production.
Pros
- Provides good repellency for approximately 3 days
- Does not pose a risk for humans
- Can be purchased at garden supply stores
Cons
- Is most effective with heavy application, as birds need to consume a lot before it works as a repellent
- Needs to be reapplied frequently
- Is not a natural product
Sugar
According to the University of Cornell, plain table sugar has been shown effective in repelling birds in blueberry crops and may be effective with other berries. A solution of approximately 11 pounds of sugar per gallon of water is sprayed onto the berries just as they begin to ripen. In trials, bird damage on sugar-treated berries was 50 percent less, explains Cornell.
Pros
- Readily available
- All natural
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Not proven effective on berries other than blueberries
- May increase the yellow jacket and Japanese beetle population
- Requires mixing and spraying
The type of deterrent or repellent that is right for your garden depends on the size of the berry patch you wish to protect. While a simple bird net draped over a container berry bush may work wonders in your yard, a larger berry patch may call for more elaborate measures, such as trying your hand at mixing and applying a sugary syrup to your ripening berries. For more advice on how to keep birds away from your precious berry bushes, contact a wildlife control service.
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