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How can I keep Blackbirds out of my garden?

I've been tryting to grow mulberries, strawberries, apricots, plums, figs etc. for a number of years. Sadly, due to blackbirds, I'm lucky to be able to harvest 10% of anything.

Can anyone tell me how to keep them away short of killing them, which I won't do?

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Comments

Annette

@Oldfart here are a few items from Bunnings and eBay that might help. I haven't tried them but it's worth a go. I hope they work for you.

Hanging Hawk

https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-outdoor-450mm-pest-control-wide-hanging-hawk_p3041143

Owl

https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-outdoor-380mm-pest-control-bobble-head-owl_p3041142

Humming Tape

https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-outdoor-30m-pest-control-humming-tape_p3041148

Scare Tape

https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-outdoor-19mm-x-30m-holographic-pest-control-tape_p3041147

Utrasonic Animal Repeller

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ultrasonic-Dogs-Cats-Pets-Birds-Garden-Deterrent-Battery-Powered-Repeller-Scarer-/361799443067?hash=item543ced627b:g:x0oAAOSwtLxYFGVh

Scare Eye Balloon.jpg

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-SCARE-EYE-BALLOON-Bird-Scarer-Deterrent-Repeller-Frighten-Wind-Yellw-93004002-/171893477772?hash=item2805a6518c:g:aCMAAOSwLqFV9kM9

Andy_Mann

@Oldfart, I reckon @Annette's Scare Tapes look very promising, & are a good price.

Going back 5-6 decades Mum & Dad strung used, midsized aluminium foil pastry trays in the fruit trees. A bit of a good feel recycling hack, they clattered & reflected light, & I think they worked. Might be worth having a "Bring your own Pastry Party" at your place, or go solo, & gorge 3 dozen pastries yourself. 😉

BibbyKat

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2313#Comment_2313

I had one dive me last week. First time it flew/swooped past me .. I wondered what it was. It landed in a tree .. eyeing me off! "OK, little bird .. try it again" I thought to myself. As I turned my back .. yup, it tried to swoop me. However, this clever little "duck" was ready. I swung around and ran towards it .. waving my arms and growling. Guess what? "Big Black Bird" now just sits in the tree "eyeing me off" .. mutual respect showing on both sides!
Oh yes .. wonder what the neighbours would have thought if they had seen me !!?? hahahaha

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2312#Comment_2312

Please let us know if you have any luck with these suggestions @Oldfart.

Jason

bergs

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63487#Comment_63487

Hi, sorry I pushed the button before I wrote anything, dur.

Old video tapes do the trick if you want tape, they're not much good for anything else these days.

If you haven't got any most opp shops have heaps that they want to get rid of.

Tie it onto some sort of frame as tight as you can without it breaking, it's amazing the noise it makes when the wind blows.

For my vege garden I used two gazebo frames (obtained very cheaply at the local Tip Shop) and put bird netting over them and you can hold it down with weights or screws so that I can lift it up if needed (I used screws as I have wooden edging).

The black netting is better because you can see what's growing in your garden.

Watering can be done without having to lift the netting.

Another similar way is to use the thicker polypipe or the thicker irrigation hose for the framework, which can be obtained from farm suppliers.

Bend it into an igloo shape high enough to allow access and throw the netting over the top and peg down and then no more bird taking your prized crops.

Cheers bergs

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94275#Comment_94275

@bergs

I see your post was blank. Please let me know if you're having trouble with anything. The moderation team and I are always happy to help.

Jason

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94275#Comment_94275

@bergs, your bird netting ideas get my vote, dare I say, the perfect solution. It stops birds from spoiling the fruit, but it doesn't scare every bird away from the property. 😀

bergs

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113511#Comment_113511

Hi Andy_Mann, the good thing is that the Bees etc. can still get through to pollinate the plants.
I've watched the birds try and fly into the garden and when they hit the netting they bounce off like a trampoline.
It doesn't hurt them and they soon give up after a couple tries.
Even when I've been working in the garden and I haven't put the netting down they seem to stay out now that I have black netting.
When it was white they knew when it was up.

It's amazing the peace of mind it gives you.

I found the Indian Turtle Dove was the worst even more so than the Blackbird. The Blackbirds are after the worms, they scratch everywhere, but if there are no seeds or seedlings to scratch out then it's only a matter of tidying up the mess (even though sometimes is quite extensive).
The doves seem to snip any seedlings off, making you start all over again.

The only thing I know, is that vermin will get in!
I have found small tears low down in the netting but not sure if it's vermin or just been ripped with the wind (which we've had heaps of and for so long now).
There doesn't seem to be any damage from any vermin on inspection.

Cheers bergs

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124357#Comment_124357

@bergs, thanks for bring up about the bees, they're vital to our very existence in the pollination process.

Thanks also for sticking up for Blackbirds, they do make a mess while foraging in the garden, which displeases my wife, but they're also nature's gift for feasting on lawn beetles. They're also glorious birds of song, which brings us both much pleasure.

RuthKerr

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94275#Comment_94275

Does Bunnings have appropriate pipe to make a frame for netting? Also, do you sell black netting, or only white?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115894#Comment_115894

Hi @RuthKerr,

Electrical conduit is commonly used to create these hooped frames because it is a flexible but rigid pipe. Its connectors also make the joining of multiple hoops a simple process.

We now only carry white bird netting as we removed the black netting from our range several years ago. Concerns were raised about birds inadvertently flying into it and getting stuck, as it was not visible to them.

Check out @Grub80's amazing Garden shade hoop house made from electrical conduit.

I quite like the idea posted above by @bergs about using an inexpensive portable gazebo frame. You could remove the standard cover and throw your bird netting over the top of it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

RuthKerr

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125905#Comment_125905

Thanks so much for all the helpful information, Mitchell.

brendawebster44

You are more than welcome to borrow my Charlie. No not him indoors my shin-Tzu. He would work for nothing but I don’t believe in slavery.What about a battery or mains scarecrow of him indoors. Or make the wee birdies watch an episode of the bold and the beautiful. They will be so engrossed they will forget to eat

RuthKerr

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125905#Comment_125905

Success! I bought 4 x 4m medium duty PVC 20mm conduit @ $3.54 each for each tree.
Also 1m galvanised steel pipe (16x1.2mm) at $3.70 each for each tree, to make 4 ‘stakes’ to support the conduit.

My son used an angle grinder to cut the pipe, with angled cuts for the ends going into the ground.

Purchased 4 x 10m Econetting anti bird netting at $30.98 each. Hopefully enough to cover.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132616#Comment_132616

Sounds great, @RuthKerr! I'm sure our other members, considering a similar project, would appreciate seeing what you've accomplished if you'd like to share it with us.