Bird Control © Frances Michaels

Birds mainly cause problems in the garden when they compete for the fruit harvest, although some species of bird can cause a much wider range of difficulties for the gardener. For the very difficult cases such as bower birds or brush turkeys complete exclusion may be the only solution.

Suggested Organic Strategies

• Generally bird netting or bagging the fruit is sufficient to protect the harvest from small fruit eating birds. Some nets are easier to use than others, but using a framework structure, over the tree or vine, makes the job of getting the net on and off again, at the end of the season, a lot easier. Taking care with net removal and storing out of the sunlight, will prolong its life.
• Always try to have the net or bags in place before the damage begins. Once a bird starts to enjoy your crop, it is a lot harder getting them to stop.
• If your nerves can stand it, some gardeners have a lot of success with rubber snakes in the tree branches. Tie them down well so a kookaburra can't make off with them!

Suggested Products:
Birdscare Flash Tape
Bird Control Net