Strawberries are a delicious fruit that both humans and birds love. However, birds can quickly decimate a strawberry patch, eating most of the ripe berries before you get a chance to harvest them. Protecting your strawberry plants from birds requires using a combination of deterrents and barriers. With some clever strategies, you can keep birds away and enjoy a bountiful strawberry harvest.
Key Takeaways
- Bird netting, berry cages, and cloches are physical barriers that can effectively protect strawberries from birds.
- Visual scare devices like reflective tape, shiny objects, and scare – eye balloons can deter birds from approaching strawberry plants.
- Audible scare devices such as wind chimes or recordings of predatory bird calls can also keep birds away.
- Welcoming natural bird predators like cats and dogs can provide additional protection for strawberries.
Understanding What Attracts Birds to Strawberries
Birds are drawn to strawberries for the same reasons we are – their bright red color and sweet juicy taste. Ripe strawberries stand out against the green foliage, signaling to birds that here is an easy tasty meal. Birds also have very good eyesight, so they can spot ripening strawberries from far away. Certain bird species are more likely to zero in on strawberries, including:
- Robins
- Finches
- Orioles
- Crows
- Grackles
These birds can decimate ripening strawberry patches in a short period of time. A single robin can eat up to 14 feet of berries per day!
Physical Barriers to Protect Strawberries from Birds
Physical barriers such as bird netting, berry cages, and cloches can effectively keep birds away from your strawberries.
1. Bird Netting
One effective way to protect strawberries from birds is by using bird netting. Bird netting is a fine mesh net that can be draped over the plants, preventing birds from reaching the fruit.
It acts as a physical barrier, keeping the hungry birds away from your precious berries. The small size of the mesh makes it impossible for birds to squeeze through and access the strawberries.
Some people also use DIY strawberry netting or create a strawberry protection cage using stakes and jute as supports for the bird netting cover. Bird netting is an inexpensive and simple solution that helps prevent damage to your strawberry plants and ensures you get to enjoy all of your harvest without sharing it with unwanted avian pests.
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2. Berry Cages
Berry cages are another effective method to protect your strawberries from birds. These cages can be created using bird netting and stakes driven into the soil or jute as supports.
The netting creates a physical barrier that prevents birds from accessing the fruit, keeping your strawberries safe and secure. By using berry cages, you can ensure that hungry birds do not feast on your delicious berries.
So, consider using this simple and inexpensive solution to safeguard your strawberry plants from avian predators.
3. Cloches
Cloches are another effective method to protect strawberries from birds. These are small, transparent covers made of plastic or glass that can be placed over individual strawberry plants.
The cloches act as a physical barrier, preventing birds from landing on the plants and accessing the fruit. They also provide protection against harsh weather conditions and keep the strawberries warm, helping them ripen faster.
Cloches are an inexpensive option for safeguarding your strawberries and can easily be removed when you need to tend to the plants or harvest the ripe berries. Overall, using cloches is a practical way to shield your strawberries from bird attacks while promoting healthy growth.
Scare Tactics to Deter Birds
To further protect your strawberries from birds, you can use scare tactics to deter them. From visual scare devices to audibles, there are plenty of ways to frighten these pests away.
1. Visual Scare Devices
Visual scare devices are another effective method for deterring birds from your strawberry plants. These devices use visual cues to frighten the birds and make them think twice about approaching your precious berries.
Examples of visual scare devices include reflective tape, shiny objects like CDs or aluminum foil, and scare-eye balloons with large, staring eyes.
The reflective tape can be tied around stakes in your garden or hung from nearby trees to create movement and shine that will confuse and intimidate the birds. Similarly, hanging CDs or aluminum foil strips in your strawberry patch will catch the sunlight and create flashing reflections that deter birds.
Scare-eye balloons are designed to look like predators’ eyes, which scares away smaller birds. By placing these balloons near your strawberry plants, you can give off the impression that there is a predator nearby and keep the birds at bay.
2. Audible Scare Devices
One way to scare birds away from your strawberry plants is by using audible scare devices. These devices emit sounds that birds find intimidating or threatening, causing them to stay away from your garden.
Some popular options include wind chimes, aluminum foil strips, and even recordings of predatory bird calls. By placing these devices near your strawberry patch, you can create a noisy and unsettling environment for birds, deterring them from feasting on your precious fruit.
Remember to regularly change the location of these devices to prevent the birds from getting used to the sounds and becoming immune to their effects.
3. Fake Strawberry Rocks
To further deter birds from your strawberry plants, you can try using fake strawberry rocks. These are realistic-looking plastic strawberries that can be scattered around the garden or placed near the strawberry bushes.
Birds may mistake them for real fruit and avoid landing in fear of being caught or getting an unpleasant surprise. Fake strawberry rocks are a simple and inexpensive way to add an extra layer of protection for your strawberries without harming any animals.
4. Using White Flowers
White flowers can also be used as a deterrent to keep birds away from your strawberry plants. Birds are often attracted to colorful and bright fruits, so placing white flowers near your strawberries can confuse them and make it harder for them to find the fruit.
The bright white blooms act as a visual distraction, making the birds less likely to target your strawberries for their next meal. So consider planting some white flowers in your garden alongside your strawberry plants as an additional method of protecting them from bird damage.
Get a Cat or Dog to Protect Your Strawberries
Cats and dogs can be helpful in protecting strawberries from birds. Their presence alone can deter birds from approaching the strawberry plants. Cats are natural predators for small animals, including birds, so having a cat around can keep them away.
Dogs, on the other hand, can scare birds off with their barking and presence in the garden. If you have cats or dogs as pets, allow them to roam around your strawberry garden to help keep the birds at bay.
Remove Bird Food Sources
Eliminating other food sources around your strawberry patch can make it less appealing for birds to visit.
- Clean up fallen berries under plants daily.
- Remove any bird feeders or baths within 100 feet of your strawberry plants.
- Cut back tall trees or shrubs near the garden that could provide bird perches.
- Apply bird netting or other barriers to any fruit trees or bushes near the strawberry patch.
Grow Unattractive Berry Varieties
Certain strawberry varieties are less enticing to birds, including:
- Chandler – firm white berries
- Sparkle – dark red berries
- Allstar – firm flesh
These types aren’t as sweet as other berries. Plant a few rows of these varieties around the perimeter of your patch to protect more vulnerable sweet berries in the center.
Use Bird Repellent Sprays
There are a number of commercial bird repellent sprays made from natural ingredients like garlic, capsaicin, and mint oils. Apply these periodically to make plants less palatable. Avoid getting sprays directly in the berries. Test in small areas first in case of sensitivity. Popular natural repellents include:
- Bird-X
- Bird B Gone
- Liquid Fence
Always follow label instructions carefully when applying bird repellents.
Plant Away from Bird Habitats
If possible, locate your strawberry patch at least 100 feet away from woods, tall trees, and shrubs where birds like to nest. Open areas away from bird habitat are less appealing.You can also situate your strawberry plants right by your house. Birds are less likely to approach areas with lots of human activity.
Final Thoughts
Protecting strawberries from birds requires diligence and a multi-pronged approach combining several deterrents. No single method is completely foolproof. Implement a variety of tactics and be willing to experiment to find what works best for your situation.
Check your strawberry patch frequently and make adjustments as needed. Remove any damaged berries right away. Keep scaring devices clean and moved around periodically. Maintain netting and barriers. Be patient and persistent to enjoy a bountiful strawberry harvest!
FAQs
Why are birds attracted to strawberries?
Strawberries are bright, juicy, and sweet, making them an appealing target for many bird species. They are easy for birds to spot and offer a quick source of nutrition.
What types of birds commonly eat strawberries?
While a variety of birds may peck at strawberries, some of the most common culprits include robins, sparrows, blackbirds, and starlings.
Will scarecrows effectively keep birds away from my strawberry plants?
While scarecrows can be a traditional method of deterring birds, their effectiveness varies. Birds may initially be wary of a scarecrow, but they often quickly realize it poses no real threat and return to the garden. For best results, combine scarecrows with other deterrent methods.
Are there any natural deterrents that I can use to repel birds?
Yes! Some gardeners have success using visual deterrents like shiny objects, aluminum foil strips, or old CDs. The reflective surfaces can startle or confuse birds. Additionally, wind chimes or other noisemakers can sometimes deter birds from settling in the area.
What if birds continue to eat my strawberries despite trying multiple deterrents?
It can be challenging to deter persistent birds completely. If multiple methods fail, consider providing a separate bird feeder with seeds or other food sources in another part of your yard. This might divert their attention and reduce their interest in your strawberries. Remember, patience and a combination of deterrents often yield the best results.