How to Protect Fruit Trees From Birds

By Guest Author Jesse Foutch

Growing your own fruit can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a gardener.  That is until birds and other animals get into your fruit tree or shrub and steal your crop the day before you were going to harvest it.  If you love gardening and also love having birds in your yard, you need to figure out how to protect your fruit trees and fruit shrubs from birds.

9 Tips to Keep Birds Away From Fruit Trees and Bushes

1. Cover fruit trees and shrubs with fine-mesh bird netting.

This is an effective tactic to use if you are struggling with various varieties of birds that come in many sizes. It’s simple to install – you simply drape the netting over the entirety of the tree’s canopy, weigh the ends down against the ground, and tuck the fruit inside. This is especially effective if you are trying to protect cherry trees and berries. Any fruit that is sticking out through the netting can still be reached by the birds unless it is tucked away safely. If you are struggling to drape the net effectively over the canopy of the tree, you can build a frame and drape the net over that instead. Fine mesh is great for fruit shrubs because it will keep away birds and also furry intruders like squirrels. Bird netting also comes in a heavy variety that is better at deterring larger birds but it needs to be spread over a frame in most cases to prevent damage to the fruit trees or bushes.

2. Reflective flash tape.

This is a classic bird deterrent and works best if you use holographic tape. Flash tape is a great method if you are protecting apple trees or cherry trees. The flashing and shiny surface of the tape will confuse birds and make them hesitant to land on your fruit-bearing plants. This works best if you are trying to deter smaller birds and is not effective against other invaders like raccoons or squirrels.

3. Pie tins

This old-school method of deterring birds is a multi-faceted deterrent. Pie tins are not only reflective but also move erratically and make a little noise when they knock against each other in the breeze. Pie tins are most effective when suspended from fishing line and are likely to deter almost any bird variety due to their noisiness and reflective qualities. This is a great way to deter bully birds as they are not often scared by other bird deterrents.

4. Eye balloons

Balloons with eyes painted on them are tied to branches of the trees or on a fence where fruit shrubs or canes (like raspberries) are located. These may look strange, but they are designed to look to a bird like the eye of a predator. This deterrent is similar in effect to using a scarecrow, one of the oldest methods for keeping birds away from crops.

5. Strobe light

Strobe lights can protect fruit trees and gardens against a variety of nuisance animals, including raccoons. The flashing is disorienting, especially to animals who are arriving to pilfer your fruit at night. Strobe lights are set up near the crop and can cover a large area. The only downside to strobe lights is that they will also affect the lighting in your yard and may aggravate neighbors. This is a common bird deterrent used in fruit orchards.

6. Predator decoy

This is one of the best ways to protect your fruit trees and bushes from birds. While it is a little bit more expensive than some other options, it is very effective against birds that are scared of predatory owls or hawks. Some large birds will likely not be concerned about this decoy or catch on quickly, and squirrels and other furry invaders will disregard it.

7. Predator noises of bird distress signals.

If you can play sounds near your trees or fruit bushes that will warn birds to stay away, you will likely be able to keep a large area of your fruit crop protected with one simple solution. You will have to move the speakers around and cycle the sounds on and off to get the best effect, but this is a great option if you are not interested in looking at tapes and nets in your yard.

8. Miniature windmills or pinwheels.

The spinning blades of windmills or pinwheels confuse birds. Small varieties will likely think that the movement is related to predatory birds. For fruit trees, pinwheels or windmills should be mounted on poles that are 6-10 feet tall and they will have to be moved around frequently so that the birds do not get used to them. This works best if the windmills or pinwheels have a reflective, metallic-looking surface.

9. Offer an alternate food source

If you don’t want to use tape, bird nets and other distracting items on your fruit bearing trees and bushes, you can also simply hang up a suet feeder or provide another source of birdseed to draw the birds away from your fruit. An added benefit to this option is that you will be able to enjoy the birds who are visiting your yard without worrying about them “harvesting” your fruit crop.

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Everyone who enjoys a garden but also wants to get to do a little birdwatching when they are sitting on their front porch knows how difficult it can be to protect your fruit trees and shrubs. Now that you are armed with these tips and tricks, you will know how to protect fruit trees from birds without giving up the serenity of your yard or losing your fruit crop.

Author’s bio: Jesse Foutch lives in Tennessee and works full-time in marketing. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, and birdwatching. He’s also the co-founder of birdfeederhub.com where you can find dozens of helpful articles about backyard birdwatching.