Strawberries and Birds

[bonzo2012]

So far DH and I have t gotten to eat any of our strawberries, because the birds keep getting to them before they're fully ripe! So, before I go blow a ton of money on bird proofing, I wanted to see if you all have any favorite tried and true methods for bird proofing.

Does the netting hold up? Are those little rocks painted to look like berries effective? Have you found something else that works?

[4furrypaws]

I had the same problem at my old house. I haven't grown any at the new one yet. I'll be interested in anyone's suggestions.

[ProfessorChaos]

We cover our berries with black netting from Lowes or similar:
(random image from Google)

In fact we have pretty much all of our edibles behind some sort of fence or netting these days, as the rabbits and voles are out of control post-kitty-mortem. It's time to get a new cat (last one died of cancer in December).

[amiee]

I feel you- I have birds and rabbits. Two years ago I decided that strawberries and the surrounding wild black berries will be my sacrifice crops. Sad though, b/c on the rare occasion I have gotten a strawberry from the garden it has be delicious.

This year strawberries and grapes are the only things growing well. We've had high heat and humidity with no rain for weeks then so much rain it about drowns everything out. Combine that with me working all but 2 days a week away from home for almost 2 months, keeping up with the house/big brother/ 6 month old on the two days I was home = overrun with weeds.

We do have some tomatoes on the vine but nowhere near ripe, a few cucumbers, had some early peas, and blooms on our cantaloupe. Just nothing like I usually produce and I am sad, but resigned to a less than stellar year.


Sorry for my rant---- oops.

I would try netting. I am considering getting chicken wire and putting it around and then a net over the top to keep my critters out next year. Best of luck!!

[rubysi]

I grow white strawberries because I am allergic to the red. The creatures don't view them as food. But we have used the black netting that ProfessorChaos, has shown on the blueberries. We now have a dog that scares the birds away.

[bonzo2012]

I haven't had the chance to get to the sore yet (visiting family) but I'll try the netting. Luckily, the strawberries seem to be the only thing I'm losing. The rabbits are more interested in the marigolds I companion planted with my tomatoes than they are in the tomatoes, so that's great news! And the pumpkins and melons are growing quite well without animals getting into them.

[bonzo2012]

I just wanted to update that the bird netting is working great for the most part. We haven't lost any more strawberries to the birds, or the rabbits.
There's a squirrel I've named Ninja Squirrel who seems determined to get through -- this squirrel also crawls sideways on the fence to avoid my wire rabbit fencing, and will hang upside down off the top rail to eat things. He's my new nemesis.
But overall, success with bird netting!

[rablissful]

I'll have to try this meeting next year. I only got to eat two blueberries and we had a huge yield. Stupid birds.