Two Popular Bird Control Solutions for Your Home Garden

by Alex A. Kecskes

Home gardens vary in size and type. But they all have one thing in common: homeowners who want to keep their gardens safe from birds and other pests. Unfortunately, many homeowners who have failed to implement effective bird control measures often see their gardens destroyed before their plants grow to maturity.

One fed-up homeowner who had invested considerable sums to beautify his garden was dismayed when pest birds kept “snipping off” his plants before they had a chance to grow. His squash plants were totally destroyed, and his pepper and tomato plants were snipped and ruined. Another homeowner noticed that as soon as her tomatoes turned red, pest birds would sneak in and pick a perfectly round hole in them.

A Florida woman had mockingbirds and little finches eat her tomatoes. She was so angry, she was ready to shoot them with a shotgun (not a good idea). One homeowner who had set up a bird bath to stop birds from pecking his tomatoes (birds will attack these plants for water) was disappointed when mocking birds ate most of his tomatoes (he was left with empty tomato skins hanging on the vine with all the insides eaten out). The solution, as previously mentioned, is to invest in proper bird control devices.

Fortunately, there are a number of bird deterrents you can use that don’t rely on poisons or weapons to do the job (many bird species are protected by state and local laws, so such draconian measures simply can’t be used). Two popular deterrents include:

Bird Scare Deterrents

This is perhaps the most economical of bird deterrents. This category includes shiny banners, tape balloons and diverters. The banners and flash tape work because they reflect sunlight and crackle in the breeze—just enough to make pest birds take notice and feel uneasy. The inflatable balloons present an ominous predator eye that moves and turns with the wind to scare pest birds away. Scare eye diverters use the same principle: these large teardrop shaped plastic bags feature a huge “mock” predator eye that birds don’t like to be around. Bird scare deterrents are easy to hang just about anywhere and are quite effective so long as you move them about from time to time.

Lightweight Plastic Bird Netting

Simple principle really: If birds can’t get at your plants, they can’t attack them. Lightweight plastic bird netting is easy to handle and install. The netting comes in several mesh sizes to block out pigeons, sparrows, starlings, seagulls and other birds. One manufacturer offers netting in a full spectrum of colors to blend in with your garden’s color scheme to make this deterrent less visually obtrusive. You can also get bird-netting kits that include perimeter cable, cable crimps, turnbuckles, intermediate attachments, hog rings, and accessories and tools. When installing the netting, make sure to elevate the netting a few inches above your plants so birds can’t peck through the netting to eat your plants.