From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Chesterfield, MO

All of a sudden the birds have started anihilating my leaves! I'm not sure why it is happening, but I am sure it is the birds because they pooped all over the leaves too. I've heard of bird netting, but what other methods are people using to deter the little devils??

6/21/2004 10:09:37 PM

Chesterfield, MO

on my prize plant too..go figure

6/21/2004 10:11:37 PM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

12 ga.. or a rubber snake..which ever is sutiable...hey you could go with the old scare crow trick..maybe even a few alum. pie pans tied to strings which are then tied to stakes..when the wind blows they clang together and scare off the little birdies..go to the pound and borrow a cat..tie him near the plant..he will be fighting the rope so bad there wont be a bird within miles..when he dies just go get another one..hehe

6/21/2004 10:24:25 PM

Wichita, KS

could it be that the birds are eating bugs? might not be the case depending on the bird and/or your pesticide use, but I thought it might be worth mention.

6/22/2004 4:40:19 AM

Cologne / Germany

Right,some birds pick at leaves. Ruined some of my cabbage plants last year. But they only did it when the plants were small. I would use some netting spread over the edges of your pumpkin plant.

6/22/2004 6:02:07 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Mr. Sprout may be on to something. If there are a lot of Leaf Hoppers present, certain birds will damage the leaves as they feed.

And like Floh says, some birds need the vegetatable matter & moisture in their diet.

So what kind of birds are these? Netting is all that'll work for the vegetarien birds. But those eating insects might be trying to tell you something.

6/22/2004 7:17:21 AM

Chesterfield, MO

Thanks for all the help guys. I bought an owl decoy and it seems to be doing the job!

6/23/2004 10:24:31 PM

Chesterfield, MO

One more thing for anyone else who tries the decoys...makes sure you move them around every day or two cuz the birds will catch on after a while

6/23/2004 10:35:42 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Steve brings up a good point. Moving the items around is porobably very important. Case in point:

I was involved with a USDA study to manage Geese (they destroy Golf & athletic turf). We also found that Geese soon get used to many things. So a variety of devices had to be used in rotation for best results.

Red & silver reflective Mylar ribbon was all the rage for a couple months. The USDA girl asked the trial members to take it down before 3 weeks. The golf Supers were so impressed with the results of the red & silver ribbons, most refused to remove them. Sure enough, after 2 more weeks you could have thrown the roll at them & they wouldn't leave. The few people who paid attention & took her advice were able to use the ribbons all year so long as there were 2 other alternate items in use that also worked.

Items such as black rubber snakes, bobble head Owls, red & silver reflective ribbon streamers, etc. were all found somewhat effective.

The point with Geese is to find 2-3 things that all work. Then rotate them in 1 or 2 week intervals or they will get used to them & come back. I can't say this is true of Starlings & crows & such. But with the Canadian Goose this strategy works.

As a side note; the item that worked the longest without rotation was a dead Goose carcas. That worked until members complained. The corpse was moved to a less visible location & continued to work until it rotted. Even then, the Geese weren't seen in that area for another season.

The down side was as soon as some people see a boom sprayer & a dead bird on the same day, they call the papers & it's a news item. The bird to which I speak wasn't pesticide killed. It was shot.

6/24/2004 6:40:34 AM

Western Pa.

On a budget? Throw all your old belts out into the patch,the birds will think they,re snakes! Works in my berry patch!

6/24/2004 8:41:21 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

i tried the old belt trick one year..the next year i spent many hours untangling old belts from the tines on my tiller..you never really realize the strength of leather until it stops your tiller dead in its tracks..

6/24/2004 10:17:51 AM

Western Pa.

I guess I should have put a "disclaimer" with my post. Please remove belts from your waste before throwing them in the patch, also please gather them up before tilling!

6/24/2004 2:41:40 PM

Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

Great thread here fellas on the birds.. I appreciate all the suggestions! Sparrows have been "pecking" my leaves, and it is because they are pissed I think. I was straffed this morning!

6/27/2004 11:05:10 PM