With the onset of heat, strawberries began to ripen in the Vologda region. Immediately, gardeners had a problem - voracious birds.
There is no way to save me from these blackbirds! - exclaims Vologda resident Olga Alexandrova. - Every morning I start by driving them away from the site. The berries have to be checked constantly. The berry is ripe, you gape a little, and the birds immediately peck it. I would shoot them all with a blowgun, but you can’t kill birds, there are fines for this.
How to protect crops from bird invasion? The head of the crop production department of the Department of Agriculture of the Vologda Region, Vitaly Gudkov, answered this question to a Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent.
There are many ways,” says Vitaly Viktorovich. - I myself use strips of film. I drive pegs along the bush, stretch the wire and hang pieces of plastic film on it. This method has not failed me for several years in a row. I use covering material specifically for strawberries. It's better to use number thirty. Plants receive enough heat and moisture, and they ripen faster. You need to stretch it over the entire ridge and press it along the edges with bricks. If it is, for example, currants or gooseberries, then you can simply cover the bush with covering material. Some people use an old curtain instead of store-bought covering material.
Among other methods less suitable for summer residents, Vitaly Gudkov named bird netting and various repellers.
In the case of mesh, it has to be sewn together, since it is sold in narrow strips. And besides, the birds manage to peck the berries from under it. This is also one of the most inhumane methods; birds often get stuck in the net and die.
Bird scarers are, of course, an interesting thing,” continues Vitaly Gudkov. - There are several types of these devices. There are bioacoustic electronic devices - these devices reproduce cries of distress and alarm recorded from individuals in distress. In addition, they use the calls of birds of prey - hawks, eagles, falcons and owls, which they make during the hunt. And there are ultrasonic devices - they are universal and work on almost all birds.
These very convenient technological achievements have only one, but significant, disadvantage - price.
But various bottle jars and colored bags were not included in our list. According to experts, birds quickly get used to them and stop paying attention to them, so it’s better not to waste your energy. The same applies to the scarecrow.
Tatyana Zakharova, an experienced gardener, shared her method with Komsomolskaya Pravda.
I always fought with birds, no matter what I tried, but three years ago kind people recommended a good method. Birds are afraid of white color, so I drive pegs around the bed, and tie regular twine on them, always white. I stretch it over the entire bed in any shape. Birds fly up, but do not dare to peck the berries.
What method do you use to protect berries from birds? Share your experience with Vologda residents.
Buy a mesh made of metal or plastic in the store, which has small cells in the form of squares or diamonds. The mesh prevents birds from reaching the berries, but allows water and sunlight to pass through. The net will not prevent the bees from pollinating the strawberries. You can easily do foliar feeding.
Drive wooden pegs into the soil around the perimeter of the bed, stretch the net at a height of 35 cm from the strawberries. It can also be attached to a frame made of metal or plastic arches. The number of arcs is made based on the length of the bed. It is best to maintain a distance of 60-80 cm between adjacent arcs. You can collect fruits under the structure by slightly lifting the mesh, and then securing it again.
If birds peck your berries, then build a stuffed animal:
Make ratchets from any metal objects that make a rattling sound when they collide. Combine metal cans of canned food or drinks; they begin to rattle in the wind and cause fear in birds.
Stretch a small number of wires over the bushes and hang cans of cans close to each other. You can set up bells that will ring in the wind.
Although, this method has disadvantages:
It is believed that white color scares away birds; you can stretch a snow-white cloth near the beds. Attach white strips of fabric to the branches of bushes and trees. Also drive in pegs and hang red or blue flags on them.
Build a small moving mill, a turntable, from old plastic bottles.
Plant rowan, cherry or sea buckthorn in your dacha. The disadvantage of this method is that birds can still fly in and peck the strawberries.
Birds do not like the smell of onions. Finely chop a few onions and place them in the beds.
Record on audio media the screeching sounds of hawks, owls or the cries of blackbirds, starlings, magpies, warning of danger, and then play the recording. This method is perfect if you have a large area.
You can also purchase loudspeakers or electronic devices that produce sharp, deafening sounds such as gunshots, claps, or similar to the wail of a siren. Some of these devices may flash or glow brightly.
But if you constantly have loud noises, your neighbors may not like it, so this method is not suitable for everyone.
There are electronic devices on sale - ultrasonic repellers; they produce sounds that scare away birds that humans cannot hear.
If starlings and tits peck at strawberries, you can remove the tape from old unnecessary audio cassettes and unwind it around the garden. Stretch the tape over the bushes, pull the second layer at a height of 40 cm from the strawberries.
Then in the light the ribbon will shine, shimmer and cause fear in the birds. In addition, due to the wind, the film emits ultrasound. You can also use any shiny, wind-moving, sun-reflecting objects. For example, foil, cellophane bags, old CDs and DVDs.
Attach them near the beds. Buy an ultrasonic device that has an infrared motion sensor. This repeller will not allow any bird to fly closer than 10 m to the strawberry.
Video: How to properly protect strawberries from birds
Gardeners and gardeners grow strawberries (or, more precisely, garden strawberries) wherever the climate allows. This is a very tasty berry. Unfortunately, both people and birds know about this. Starlings, thrushes, sparrows, magpies, and even crows enjoy eating both ripe and unripe berries. Summer residents, especially those who do not live on the site permanently, have nothing left. Therefore, it is important to know what you can do to protect your strawberry crop.
The most common solution is to cover the strawberry beds with netting or covering material. All this can be purchased in construction and agricultural stores or on the Internet. Plastic, polypropylene or metal mesh with cells in the shape of diamonds, rectangles and squares does not interfere with access to sunlight and moisture to plants, as well as the process of pollination of strawberries by insects.
The mesh for beds is presented in stores in a wide range
Breathable, opaque covering material (Lutrasil, Spunbond, Agril, Agrospan) provides a greenhouse effect. Birds do not see the berries, and therefore do not try to get into the garden bed. But pollination in a natural way is impossible in this case. Without sun, strawberry bushes grow poorly, the berries take longer to ripen, and the harvest decreases. Excessive watering may cause plantings to rot.
Covering material allows you to hide the crop from birds
When closing the bed, pegs are driven in around the perimeter at intervals of 45–50 cm, onto which the material is attached so that it goes down to the ground. There it also needs to be fixed, for example, with bricks. Pull it quite tightly so that the mesh does not sag in the center. The height of the structure is 15–20 cm higher than the strawberry bushes.
Indeed, in this case it is problematic for birds to get to the berries, but the solution is not without its drawbacks:
The net stretched over the beds interferes with the normal care of strawberries and harvesting
The disadvantages can be partially mitigated by purchasing a set of special frame arches made of metal, plastic or bamboo. They are quite light, so no foundation is required. Their number depends on the length of the bed. The optimal distance between the arcs is 60–80 cm. They must be installed and the mesh secured on top - you should get a structure that resembles a section of a tunnel. If you find high enough arches, you can go inside, like into a greenhouse or greenhouse. This greatly facilitates planting care and harvesting. But the beds turn out to be very narrow.
When fruiting is over, the net is removed and the frame is dismantled until next year.
Therefore, the best solution is a net made of plastic, fine-mesh (so that the birds do not get confused), quite rigid (so as not to sag), attached to frame arches. Separate pieces will be needed to cover the resulting “tunnel” from the ends. Otherwise the design loses all meaning.
If you decide to use the mesh and arc method, the birds will not be able to reach the strawberries, and it will be convenient for you to care for the beds
Another option for protecting strawberries using a net does not have the listed disadvantages, but requires certain practical skills. If you have carpentry or joinery experience, build boxes with mesh lids for planting.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
Beds in boxes look very neat and reliably protected
Any methods common among people are not very useful. In the first few days the effect may be noticeable, but the birds are not stupid and quickly figure out what they are dealing with. Having discovered that something scary-looking poses no real danger, they boldly continue to destroy your berries.
Birds, flying into the garden in flocks, can destroy your harvest in a couple of days
Therefore, the methods described below should be alternated and combined as often as possible. This is the only way you will achieve a more or less permanent result.
The “old-fashioned” method, used since time immemorial. Currently, the classic effigy of two cross-shaped poles or boards, dressed in old clothes stuffed with straw, with a bag representing the head, is practically not used for obvious reasons. The birds are not at all afraid of him. On the contrary, they happily rest on the “shoulders” of this structure after a delicious lunch. This is also an excellent position for looking out for the most delicious and ripe berries.
But your children will get great pleasure from the process of building a scarecrow. This is a great opportunity for them to show their imagination and creativity. You can use, for example, an old mannequin as a basis.
If you still decide to protect your beds with a scarecrow, regularly move it from place to place and change its appearance. The more radical, the better. It is also useful to secure the structure so that it rotates on a support.
Scarecrow is a traditional but ineffective method of scaring away birds
Somewhat more effective are plastic and rubber naturalistic models of birds of prey sold in agricultural stores, made in compliance with dimensions and proportions. Especially if they are “decorated” with something shiny and are accompanied by a device for reproducing and recording the sounds made by these birds.
An electrified mannequin equipped with a motion sensor, which would start making sounds and, for example, waving its “arms” when birds approach, would greatly help gardeners. But the introduction of such structures into production is a matter of the future. And the price will be appropriate. On small plots of land, such a “scarecrow” simply will not pay off.
Birds' hearing is much more subtle than that of humans. Therefore, they do not tolerate sharp loud sounds well. Try to save the beds like this:
High posts are driven into the corners of the bed. A thin rope or wire is stretched around the perimeter and crosswise at different heights. They hang on it:
Birds quickly understand that all this shine and rustle does not pose any real danger.
Old disks hanging over the garden bed glare in the sun, scaring away birds
Science does not stand still, so special devices that scare away birds have appeared on sale. Most often, they are equipped with a built-in infrared or laser motion sensor, so they turn on only when a landing party of birds approaches.
The devices produce high-range sounds that are unpleasant to birds and inaudible to the human ear.
The device is equipped with a motion sensor
There are also devices that periodically emit loud, sharp sounds, reminiscent of a siren, claps or gunshots. Sometimes this is supplemented by flashing or glowing. On some, you can adjust the frequency and volume of the sound.
The sound gun makes loud noises when birds approach
Such devices are certainly effective, but are quite expensive. Therefore, owners of small plots of land do not even consider the possibility of such an acquisition. The harvest is not worth it; there are less expensive methods of protecting it.
Gardeners sympathetic to Greenpeace, IFAW and other wildlife organizations can offer birds an alternative source of food.
In a row with strawberry beds, berries are planted that ripen at about the same time as strawberries, the loss of which will upset you less. It can be bird cherry, sea buckthorn, serviceberry, chokeberry and red rowan, wild cherry. The method does not guarantee anything. Birds are not obligated to eat only the berries intended for them. It is very likely that they will destroy both them and the strawberries. But not a single bird will be harmed. Even morally, seeing the berries and not being able to get to them.
Cats in the garden will help you cope with uninvited guests
How else can you protect the crop grown with such difficulty?
Strawberries are not only the favorite berry of many people with a sweet tooth, but also a crop that requires constant care. To reap a bountiful harvest, the plant must be watered regularly, remove tendrils, dry leaves, fertilize the soil, and much more. Moreover, this must be done clearly within the allotted time frame, and not whenever you want. And therefore it is doubly offensive when the beds are brazenly attacked by voracious birds. How to protect strawberries from birds? This will be discussed further.
Gardeners spend a lot of time and effort caring for plants, but it all pays off when the first berries begin to appear under the leaves.
This is a pressing problem; the struggle between gardeners and birds has been going on for a very long time. That is why the arsenal of summer residents is constantly replenished with new means of protecting crops from birds. Each method has both its pros and cons. Some remedies are improved over time, and the least effective ones are forgotten. But in any case, each owner has his own favorite ways of dealing with winged thieves.
The main feathered pests are starlings, sparrows, magpies, tits and pigeons. Moreover, they are concerned not only with strawberries, but also with raspberries, currants, cherries, cherries and other garden crops. A flock of such birds can destroy your crop in a matter of hours, so there is a problem. Such a confrontation could drag on for the entire season, until the fall.
There are many methods of protection, so you will have plenty to choose from. However, you should not resort to drastic methods, since birds protect our crops from pests: caterpillars, beetles, larvae, etc. Provide your feathered partners with a water bowl and get ready to choose the most humane means of protection.
How to scare birds away from strawberries? This can be done using audio-recorded calls of predatory hawks, owls, or warnings about the danger of magpies, blackbirds, starlings, etc. This method is especially suitable for owners of large plantations.
Previously, to purchase such an audio recording, you had to find a specialized agricultural store, but nowadays it can be purchased on the Internet.
By the way, audio recordings are suitable for fighting not only birds, but also rodents. Many gardeners prefer this method. With the help of loud, unpleasant sounds, you will not only repel pests from your crop, but also cause the indignation of your neighbors. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone. To solve this problem, there are special electronic devices that have no effect on humans, but cause severe discomfort in birds and force them to leave the area.
You can also use loudspeakers or electronic devices that produce sharp, loud sounds such as claps or gunshots, imitating the sound of a siren. Some devices light up or flash brightly when triggered.
If birds peck at strawberries, you can use old audio or video cassettes, or more precisely, their films. To do this, simply remove the tape from the device and secure it over the entire area. Stretch the web over the bushes; to be sure, you can make a second layer at a height of 30 cm from the plants.
The dazzling shine of magnetic tape in the sun scares away birds. In addition, due to the wind, the film emits ultrasound, which causes fear in birds. To protect strawberries, you can use any shiny objects that move in the wind, reflect the sun, or rustle. For example, plastic bags, strips of foil, rain from the Christmas tree and much more. Secure them to trees near the garden bed.
Use old, unwanted DVDs and CDs to control birds. Drill holes in them, insert twine, tie tightly and hang over the area. They will sway in the wind, shimmer brightly, and create the appearance of movement. The birds won't like it.
Bird netting is perhaps the most reliable material; experienced gardeners recommend this product for crop protection. Buy mesh in agricultural stores or online. The material is metal or plastic, most often polypropylene, which has square or diamond-shaped small cells. It protects the strawberries from birds, allows water and sunlight to pass through. What is important is that this does not prevent insects from pollinating the plant. When carrying out foliar feeding, the net will not interfere, so you don’t even have to remove it.
How can you use it to cover strawberries? Everything is quite simple: drive pegs into the ground around the bed, pull the net tightly at a height of 35 cm from the bushes. It can also be attached to a frame in the form of metal arcs or bamboo sticks. This way you can go inside and pick berries without having to disassemble the structure every time. After harvesting, the net can be removed. But in general, this method works and is suitable for gardens, cottages and city apartments.
If sparrows are pecking at your strawberries, make a stuffed one:
The downside is that the birds get used to the stuffed animal very quickly. Over time, the scarecrow becomes a location for the feathered bullies.
Many gardeners combine two methods: they decorate the scarecrow with plastic bags, magnetic tapes, and old computer disks. They move in the wind, shimmer in the sun, and rustle, which causes fear in birds. You can also attach a variety of rattles to the stuffed animal, which will knock and scare away the birds.
Scarecrows in the form of birds of prey are extremely popular among summer residents. For example, a plastic owl in shiny ribbons with an audio recording of his cry. You can purchase such a kit in a store or online.
You can use homemade ratchets as a means of protection. To create them, any trash (preferably metal) that makes a knock when colliding is suitable. Tie old beer or tin cans together; they rattle a lot in the wind, and this is not to the taste of birds. Birds generally do not like noise, as they have perfect hearing. This method may work, but only in windy conditions. 
Some gardeners use air bells to scare away birds. Despite the soothing melody, they are able to detain birds for a while. Pests quickly get used to sharp sounds and after some time they no longer pay attention to them.
There is an opinion that birds are afraid of the color white, and therefore some gardeners stretch white fabric along the plot. If there are trees near the beds, then white ribbons made of fabric or film can be tied to the branches. It is not known exactly how effective this method is.
Blue and red flags can be used as colored repellers. Place them in the bed between the plants.
Don't throw away empty plastic bottles; you can use them to make a small windmill, windmill, etc. These spinning and fluttering crafts not only repel winged pests, but are also a decorative element for decorating the yard. But unfortunately, birds quickly get used to the turntables. 
The most humane method of protecting a strawberry plantation from birds is to plant distracting crops. Plant rowan, cherry or sea buckthorn on the plot, this way you will distract the birds from the garden bed. However, no one guarantees that birds will give preference to these crops and will not fly to feast on strawberries.
And if you create an artificial water source near fruit trees, then the birds will spend most of their time near it. The sensitive hearing of birds will immediately pick up the murmur of a stream or the sound of a small waterfall. They will flock en masse to these sounds.
The downside is that after resting near the source, a flock of birds can still pay attention to the strawberry beds, which they will empty in a few minutes.
There are other methods of crop protection; they are less popular, but, according to gardeners, they are effective.
Birds in the country can be both useful and enemies to many crops. On the one hand, they save plants from invasion by pests such as caterpillars, etc. On the other hand, during the ripening period of berries on fruit trees, bushes or strawberries, they turn into kites that simply destroy the crop. It turns out that they don’t get enough of insects and begin to be attracted to the bright juicy colors of ripe berries? No, it’s just that this period coincides with the beginning of hot days and the birds need water, they drink it, as you already understood, from berries. What to do, how to protect the crop from birds such as starlings, sparrows, wagtails, swallows and of course crows?
There are several effective ways to control birds for harvest:
When protecting your crops from birds, remember that if repellents are in effect throughout the entire season, even if you remove them, you risk losing your crop from an invasion of pests that are not always immediately visible.
