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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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Bird Control in Fruit Plantings |
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Birds can cause serious damage to fruit crops. Ripening soft fruits are highly susceptible especially cherries and blueberries. Damage is most frequently caused by robins, common grackles and starlings along with other songbirds. All birds except feral pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The most-effective bird damage control method for fruit is exclusion of birds by the use of netting. Several types of netting are marketed to protect fruit trees, grapes and berries. Plastic-impregnated paper, nylon, cotton and polyethylene nettings are sold for this purpose. Although the initial cost of netting appears high, the cost can be prorated over the 3 to 10 years of net life. Installing the netting may be difficult because some types must be supported by a frame to prevent damage to the plants. A teepee-pole arrangement to support the netting over individual trees keeps birds from the fruit. In grapes, a supporting framework can be constructed on existing posts. To protect strawberry beds of blueberries supporting stakes should be tall enough to keep the net several inches above plants. Netting edges should reach the ground and be held in place by stones or other heavy objects. Broadcasts of recorded distress or alarm calls have been used effectively, but most calls are species specific so one must identify the bird species causing the problem. Most other auditory control methods such as poppers, crackers, sirens and the like have been effective for only short-term control. Sounds usually repel vertebrates by creating fear and disorientation. Eventually, most birds adjust to and ignore new sounds. Several visual stimuli are reported to reduce bird damage to fruit, such as eye-spot balloons and hawk and owl mimicking devices. The more animated and life like the better and longer the control. Once again the most effective control of bird damage to fruit is by the use of netting. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
