Birds can be a nuisance in the garden, eating newly sprouting seeds, tender seedlings, ripening fruit, and flower buds on the verge of blooming. While birds play an important role in the ecosystem, no gardener wants to share the fruits of their labor with these uninvited guests. Stopping birds from feasting on flower buds will take a multi-pronged approach, including physical barriers, scare tactics, and chemical repellents. With persistence and patience, you can find the right combination of deterrents to allow your flowers to bloom unmolested.
Why are birds eating my flower buds?
Birds eat flower buds for a couple of reasons:
Nutrition
Flower buds contain proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that birds need for energy. The buds also contain vitamins and minerals like calcium and phosphorus which are essential for bone health, egg production, and other bodily functions. Eating buds allows birds to supplement their typical diet of seeds and insects.
Convenience
Flower buds stand out against green foliage, making them easy for birds to spot. Most buds are small enough for birds like finches and sparrows to pluck away with their beaks. And since buds tend to grow on the periphery of ornamental plants, they are easily accessible. Birds can grab a bite without venturing deep into vegetation.
Physical barriers
To physically keep birds away from flower buds, you can:
Use netting
Cover plants with fine netting or mesh. Look for products specifically designed for fruit trees and vegetable gardens that protect plants without snagging blossoms. Make sure not to cover plants when they are in bloom or netting may prevent pollination.
Install wire cages or guards
Protect individual buds by placing small wire cages or guards over them. You can buy ready-made guards or make your own out of supplies like chicken wire. This is a targeted approach if you only have a problem with birds eating buds on certain plants or flower varieties.
Type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Ready-made guards | -Require minimal DIY skills | -Can be more expensive |
Homemade guards | -Very customizable sizing | -Takes more time and effort |
Use physical obstructions
Place obstacles in front of or around plants to block bird access. Options include:
– Bamboo sticks or poles
– Garden twine criss-crossed between plants
– Clear plastic ribbon or streamers that flutter in the breeze
– Scarecrow or fake predator placed nearby
The disadvantage of physical barriers is that they can look unsightly in ornamental flower beds. Use them only if you need a temporary fix or don’t mind the appearance.
Scare tactics
Using predators or alarming sounds and sights can scare hungry birds away from your garden. Some effective options are:
Scarecrow
The classic human-shaped scarecrow is still one of the best deterrents. Place a lifelike scarecrow near susceptible plants and move it around occasionally so birds don’t become accustomed to it. Add scary elements like moveable arms or reflective accents to frighten birds.
Predator decoys
Set up owl, hawk or snake fakes around the garden. Choose realistic-looking decoys and reposition them frequently. Shiny spinning pinwheels can also mimic the flashing wings of a predator.
Noisemakers
Make a racket to frighten birds off. Hang wind chimes, aluminum pie pans, old CDs or make your own noisemakers out of cardboard tubing and beads. You can also buy ultrasonic bird deterrents that emit high-frequency sounds only birds can hear.
Device | How It Works |
---|---|
Wind chimes/pie pans | Clanging noise startles birds |
Ultrasonic devices | Emits high-pitched sounds uncomfortable to birds |
Predator decoys | Mimics birds natural enemies like snakes |
The trouble with scare tactics is that birds eventually catch on. Use a combination of different deterrents and frequently change locations to keep birds guessing.
Repellents
Applying taste or smell repellents may curb bird appetite for your buds:
Taste repellents
Substances like methyl anthranilate or thiram cause a bitter, unpleasant taste that birds dislike. Spray plants thoroughly according to product directions to deter nibbling. Reapply after rain or watering.
Smell repellents
Strong smells from garlic, cayenne pepper, vinegar or essential oils may make plants unappetizing. Mix up your own brew or look for commercial products and spray plants. Try hanging bars of heavily scented soap near plants too. The effectiveness of soaps and oils can vary.
Reflective ribbon or tape
Mylar tape and shiny ribbon reflect sunlight and flap around. The flashing, crinkling effect frightens many birds. Use holographic tape designed specifically for deterring birds. Wrap susceptible plants or branches using tape, ribbon or old CDs.
The trouble with chemical repellents is they often require heavy applications and frequent reapplication, especially after it rains. Respraying plants can get tedious.
When all else fails
If you just can’t seem to foil feathered thieves with typical remedies, a few more intense options include:
Toxic chemical repellents
Pesticide-grade bird repellents are available but should be a last resort. The first line of defense should always be non-toxic methods. Toxic chemicals risk harming beneficial insects and other wildlife. Only use heavy-duty chemical repellents where they won’t affect pollinators and are away from edibles.
Trapping
Live traps can remove problematic birds but check local laws first. Captured birds must be humanely euthanized or released far away. Relocation doesn’t always work since birds tend to return. Like toxic chemicals, trapping affects all birds indiscriminately so only use as a last line of defense.
Netted enclosures
Build a more permanent structure like a wire enclosure or greenhouse covered in netting to keep birds completely away from plants. This is really only practical for small gardens or high value flowers. For most situations, it’s easier to exclude birds with netting directly on plants.
Prevention
Beyond control methods, a few tricks help reduce the allure of flower buds:
Avoid large plantings of favored flowers
If birds devour the buds on certain plants year after year, minimize or avoid planting those varieties. Go for native flowers suited to your area that local birds are less likely to target.
Site susceptible plants away from bird hangouts
Put flower beds, pots and raised planters away from bird feeders, nests and high perches where birds survey the territory. Make them work harder to get to the goods.
Provide separate bird food
Give birds an appealing alternative food source away from your plants. Offer various seeds, suet and fresh water. Well-fed birds are less likely to ravage your garden.
Clean up fallen petals
Promptly remove spent flowers and fallen petals. Pick up any debris birds can use to hide under plants while eating buds. Eliminate materials birds can use to build nests too.
Tolerate some loss
Accept that birds will likely pilfer some buds. Enjoy nature’s give and take. If damage is minimal you may decide it’s not worth the effort to deter birds.
Conclusion
Birds certainly can try any gardener’s patience when they snack on flower buds. But you can dissuade them with persistent efforts. Physical barriers, scare tactics, chemical repellents and prevention provide multiple lines of defense. Home remedies like overhead netting, wire cages and harmless homemade sprays allow you to control birds without nasty chemicals. Scarecrows, decoys, noisemakers and ribbon keep birds on high alert. Avoid favored flowers, protect specific plants and site beds strategically. Your green thumb and a multi-pronged approach will outwit pesky birds to let your garden grow unmolested.