Keep Blueberries Safe: How to Deter Birds

Blueberries are a delightful addition to any garden, offering a burst of color and a tangy treat. However, these sweet fruits can also attract unwanted visitors - birds. Birds can quickly strip your blueberry bushes bare, leaving you with little to enjoy. So, how do you protect your blueberries from birds?

First, it's essential to understand that birds are not the enemy. They are a natural part of the ecosystem. The goal is not to eliminate them but to deter them from your blueberry patch. Let's explore some humane and effective methods to protect your blueberry harvest.

Physical Barriers

One of the most effective ways to protect your blueberries from birds is to create a physical barrier. This can be in the form of netting, which allows light and water to pass through but keeps birds out.

Netting should be installed as soon as the berries start to form and removed once harvesting is complete. Ensure the netting is secured tightly to the ground to prevent birds from getting underneath. You can also use stakes to keep the netting off the plants, allowing for better air circulation and light penetration.

Floating Row Covers

Floating row covers are another type of netting that can be used to protect your blueberries. These are lighter and more flexible than regular netting, making them easier to install and remove.

Floating row covers can be placed directly on top of the blueberry bushes, held down by stakes or weights. They allow light, water, and air to pass through while keeping birds out. The covers should be removed once the berries have been harvested to prevent overheating.

Chicken Wire or Hardware Cloth

For a more permanent solution, you can use chicken wire or hardware cloth to create a cage around your blueberry bushes. This should be installed as soon as the plants are established and can be left in place year-round.

Chicken wire or hardware cloth should be at least 1/4 inch in mesh size to keep out even the smallest birds. The cage should be at least 4 feet tall to prevent birds from flying over the top. Ensure the cage is securely anchored to the ground to prevent birds from getting underneath.

Deterrents

Physical barriers are not always practical or aesthetically pleasing. In such cases, deterrents can be used to keep birds away from your blueberries.

Deterrents work by making the blueberry patch less appealing to birds. They can be visual, auditory, or even taste-based.

Scare Tactics

Scare tactics use visual or auditory stimuli to frighten birds away. Reflective objects like aluminum pie pans or old CDs can be hung around the blueberry patch. These reflect sunlight, creating a moving, flashing light that can startle birds.

Wind chimes, pinwheels, or even old clothes can also be used to create noise and movement that deters birds. However, birds can become accustomed to these deterrents over time, so it's important to move them around regularly.

Taste Deterrents

Taste deterrents make the blueberries less appealing to birds. Hot pepper spray can be applied to the blueberries, making them too spicy for birds to eat. This should be reapplied after rain or watering.

Another taste deterrent is to hang slices of raw onion or garlic around the blueberry patch. The strong smell can deter birds, but it's important to ensure it doesn't bother you or your neighbors.

Predator Urine

Predator urine, such as that from a fox or a coyote, can be used to deter birds. The scent of a predator can make birds feel threatened and less likely to enter the area.

Predator urine can be purchased from garden stores or online. It should be applied around the perimeter of the blueberry patch and reapplied after rain or watering.

Plant Selection

Choosing the right blueberry variety can also help deter birds. Some blueberries are more resistant to bird damage than others.

Highbush blueberries, for example, have a stronger flavor and thicker skin than lowbush blueberries, making them less appealing to birds. Some varieties, like 'Bluecrop' and 'Northblue', are known for their bird resistance.

Planting in Groups

Planting blueberries in groups rather than individually can also deter birds. Birds are less likely to venture into a dense thicket of blueberry bushes than they are to pick off individual plants.

Planting in groups also provides better coverage for physical barriers like netting or chicken wire. It's easier to protect a large group of plants than it is to protect individual plants.

In the end, protecting your blueberries from birds is a balancing act. It's about creating a deterrent that is effective but also humane and aesthetically pleasing. It's about understanding that birds are a natural part of the ecosystem and finding a way to coexist with them. With the right combination of physical barriers, deterrents, and plant selection, you can enjoy a bountiful blueberry harvest while still welcoming birds to your garden.