How to Keep Birds Out of Your Garden

Three key strategies keep birds away: barriers, scare tactics, and chemical deterrents.

Bird Barriers

Barriers are the most effective deterrent. Bird netting allows rain and sun through while keeping birds out. Toss over fruit trees, or build a frame with bamboo, stakes, or fence posts for bushes like blueberries, anchoring netting to the ground. Reusable for years with care.

Chicken wire works but smaller birds pass through. Window screening is also effective. For newly seeded beds, cover with landscape fabric or tulle, checking daily for germination. Plastic strawberry baskets protect seedlings; paper bags shield individual fruits. Attach bird spikes to buildings where pigeons congregate. Place bird feeders far from the garden to distract birds.

Bird Scare Tactics

Loud noises, strange movements, or predator decoys work until birds habituate. Move noisemakers, moving objects, and decoys regularly to maintain threat perception. Commercial options: laser beams, water spray, decoys, sounds. Homemade: aluminum pie tins on strings, cassette tape/iridescent strips, ribbons, scarecrows, recorded predator sounds.

Chemical Bird Repellents

Use caution with sprays that may be harmful to inhale or ingest. Garlic oil is effective but requires frequent reapplication due to weather.