Bird Control for the Nursery Industry

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by Alex A. Kecskes

The plant nursery industry constitutes a large and growing sector of agriculture. In California, where there are more than 3,000 commercial nursery operations, nursery crops constitute a high-value-per-acre commodity, ranking fifth in the state for farm income. Regrettably, pest birds cause a considerable amount of damage to nurseries. Much of this damage occurs when birds eat sown seed or pluck the tops of seedlings after they have emerged but while the endosperm is still attached. This can be a major problem because genetically improved seed is very costly.

Without effective bird control, pest birds such as sparrows, swallows, pigeons and crows can and will invade your nursery. Blackbirds, starlings, and robins will eagerly yank out ripening plants while they dig for bugs. Prompted by good weather and the absence of adequate nearby food supplies, pest birds will eagerly dive into your nursery and aggressively attack a particular plant they like.

Before resorting to lethal bird control measures, nursery managers should be aware that many birds regarded as pests are classified as migratory and are protected by federal and state laws. Some humane and effective bird control measures are described below. Ideally, the best strategy is to use several measures simultaneously to ensure pest birds stay out of your nursery. And be proactive. Install these bird control measures before birds establish regular feeding patterns in your nursery.

Bird Sonic Deterrents

Cannons, fireworks and exploders only work temporarily as bird control measure. What works so much better are Sonic Bird Deterrents. They devices broadcast predator and distress calls that make birds want to leave. The sounds they emit include such frightening "audibles" as Peregrine falcons defending their territory (pigeons hate this sound); or the sounds of predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack (pretty frightening if you're a starling or seagull). These sounds, while not unpleasant to humans, convince most birds that their dreaded enemy is ready to attack. The best sonic bird deterrents can be programmed to emit distress and predator calls day and night. Some systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds to keep pest birds from becoming too accustomed to the threat. One system will broadcast up to 22 different predator and distress calls.

Hawk Decoys

Strategically positioned in highly visible areas, Hawk Decoys will discourage most birds from a nursery. This is because most birds have an innate fear of hawks, which are highly skilled daytime hunters. Hawk Decoys are easy to mount and display, and the better-designed decoys, which are made of heavy duty plastic, look very realistic. Quality constructed hawk decoys are also weather- and water-resistant. They can be hung from rafters or overhangs, or simply placed anywhere your nursery is being threatened by pest birds. Some decoys are hollow, so you can fill them with sand for added stability.

Bird Spiders

Sporting wildly flailing arms that wave threateningly in the wind, Bird Spiders are simple devices that frighten and discourage pest birds from landing. Bird spiders come in varying arm lengths to accommodate various garden areas and pest bird species. They're also easily moved from place to place, which allows you to transfer them to areas most threatened by pest birds. The best bird spiders come with a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. One manufacturer offers a Bird Spider that comes pre-assembled.

Bird Netting

A very common bird deterrent used by growers across the country, Bird Netting is an ideal bird control measure for nurseries. It excludes a wide variety of birds and comes in various cuts, mesh sizes and several different colors.

A popular type of bird netting that's often used in nurseries and gardens is called Ultra Net. This low-profile lightweight netting is constructed of tough, U.V.-protected polypropylene. Ultra Net comes in 3/4-, 1/2-, and 1/4-inch mesh sizes and is available in bulk rolls or pieces to suit a nursery's special bird problem. The netting is an effective and humane barrier often used to stop pigeons, swallows, crows, gulls and sparrows from invading and destroying plants and other vegetation.

Installing Ultra Net is fairly straightforward. To protect vegetable plants, wrap each plant in netting or suspend the netting around the entire garden area to seal out pest birds. For bushes and vines, the netting should be suspended approximately six inches over the bush or vine. Doing this prevents pest birds from perching on the net and getting at the plant through the mesh. You can also suspend Ultra Net by attaching it to a series of poles surrounding the perimeter of the area to be protected. To deny pest birds access to fruit trees, cut the netting one-foot wider than the diameter of the tree's crown and secure the netting with twine, zip ties or hog rings.

Scarecrows

Most nurseries would be smart to install several of these effective bird control devices. Called Scarecrows, these motion-activated sprinklers give any pest bird a real wake-up call, should they wander into its radius of protection (approx. 25 fee out and 35 feet wide). Doing so surprises the unsuspecting bird with a sudden water spray, realistic moving bird head, and sprinkler sound they won't soon forget. Better still, the Scarecrow is both energy and water efficient, providing an ever-vigilant pest bird sentry, day and night for up to 6 months (or 3000+ activations) on one 9-volt battery.

Fogging Agents
If you've been inundated by pest birds and conventional methods of bird deterrents don't seem to be doing the trick, try using a Chemical Fogger. It disperses a chemical agent that irritates a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane. One whiff and pest birds leave in hurry. The chemical is a food-grade methyl anthranilate that won't harm birds or people--the non-lethal grape extract has been regulated by the EPA under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Bird fogging works surprisingly well against a variety of annoying pest birds--including gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds, and cowbirds. One tip: Fogging agents are best used in the early morning or late evening when flocks are gathering to feed.