keeping birds off veg/flower plants

Try using CD/DVD discs that you no longer use or too scratched to use. Thread a bit of string through them a few inches above the plants so they swing in the breeze. fix the string on a support at each end to hold the string up.

Look carefully and you will see ones we have hanging. enlarge picture with control and plus keys

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

I bought some green plastic covered wire netting about 18ins wide from wilkinsons, cut it into suitable lengths, folded it over to form a tunnel and placed it over my veggie plants. Problem solved and it will last a long time.

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

Great idea Alan

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

What ever you use PLEASE do not use any netting wide enough for a bird to get trapped in.

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

Down 'ere at the seaside, lots of people use big plastic birds, or bird-like kites to scare off seagulls etc. Guess the theory is use something birds recognise as a predator.............don't think a flying cat would have quite the same effect!

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

Cats were kept in trees long time ago and don`t get me started on allotments in South Yorkshire where they flew whipppets

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

I agree OG but I have been using wire netting for over 40 years and have never had a bird trapped in it.

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

Small mesh is fine-it`s those cheapy plastic ones that concern me.

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

These CD disks work great, they flash with sun reflection- cheap to use old worn out ones (zero cost)- can be used every year- easy to store- and the movement scare birds with nothing to actually trap them with.

Invaiably I have found netting used the next year is in a tangle with last years plant shoots and often with large hole torn in it anyway. We did use then long time ago but found the birds crept under the netting ends or any small bit not fixed to the earth. So why spend out when a safer free method is at hand

Re: keeping birds off veg/flower plants

I tried CDs and they only worked for a short time until the birds got used to them being there and found they posed no threat. In the end I used fine netting for the birds but the cabbage white butterflies still managed to lay eggs on my broccoli .