How to protect cherries from birds - effective processing methods (photos, instructions + tips). Preparations, chemicals, traditional methods

Delicious, brightly colored cherry fruits attract both people and birds. Numerous representatives of the bird family are fans of these berries. They often destroy the entire cherry crop, which people spend a lot of effort cultivating.

In this case, the question arises: “How to protect cherries from birds?” There are several effective methods for controlling starlings and thrushes that lay claim to your crops.

Who has the best taste?

Sparrows, starlings, thrushes, jays, and rooks most often seek to feast on cherries, gooseberries, and tutina. However, titmice, crows and magpies become no less frequent guests of the garden.

Birds damage young branches, not to mention the fact that they absolutely unceremoniously destroy kilograms of berries and fruits. By the way, injured branches will definitely not bear fruit next season.

Do starlings eat cherries?

The answer to this question is unequivocal - yes. Moreover, it is starlings that are the main reason that in Europe and throughout the world the amount of area occupied by cherry orchards has recently significantly decreased.

Flocks of voracious birds simply forced farmers to abandon growing this berry, making its production unprofitable.

Is there any reason to worry

Cherry trees attract not only starlings. Ripe berries are desirable prey for sparrows, jays, and thrushes. Even crows do not hesitate to enjoy delicious cherries. Moreover, birds, looking for ripe fruits, peck and spoil a lot of berries, thus destroying the crop even before its final ripening.

What damage do birds cause to seedlings and young shoots?

The greatest harm that plits can cause to young shoots is to break them. Especially if a large flock lands on a young tree. Birds can also damage the bark of trees by pecking insects from its folds.

When to start the fight?

Saving cherries and other garden crops from birds should begin as early as possible before the bushes and trees bloom. It is advisable to do this annually. A large number of gardeners simply destroy birds, which is not recommended.

After all, birds are capable of not only causing harm, but also bringing benefit by pecking at harmful insects and caterpillars.

It is advisable to use methods to scare away uninvited guests, or use other gentle methods of protecting cherries from birds.

Otherwise, the garden will be colonized by larvae and parasitic insects. But in turn, the same sparrows, in order to feed their chicks, bring them 500-700 insects per day.

It is known that most of these pests live in the bark of cherries and other stone fruits. A pair of starlings can eat up to 300 larvae per day. Tits swallow about 400 insects.

How to scare away birds

How to graft cherries onto cherries

For a long time, a common folk method for scaring away flying thieves from the dessert they liked was to install an ordinary scarecrow that imitated the presence of a person. The scarecrow is small in size and can “drive away” birds near small columnar cherry trees or young low cherry trees. Flying into large trees, the flock does not pay attention to him.

Interesting fact. According to a summer resident from the Moscow region, on her property, Christmas tree decorations were hung on the cherry tree, like on a Christmas tree, in early spring, before the cherry blossoms. They attracted birds with their shine. The most curious were the rooks and starlings. They flew in and even tried to peck Christmas tree decorations. However, the “fruits” turned out to be not tasty, and the birds stopped flying into the garden; the trees became uninteresting to them. The harvest was not damaged by the birds.

Sometimes long-forgotten techniques help. For example, older generation gardeners knew how to save cherries from annoying sparrows. They hung a fur hat on the top of a tree. Sparrows are afraid of cats, so when they see a “cat” on a tree, they fly away.

Speaking of cats, it is worth noting their assistance, which they provide to the owners of gardens and summer cottages in finding nests equipped by pigeons and sparrows under the roofs of houses. No one can cope with this task better than cats. Having unwanted residents under your roof, it is difficult to fight them to save your crop. But it is better to prevent birds from nesting by covering the attic exits under the roof with a net.

Ways to control bird pests

When protecting cherries from birds, it is important to take into account that methods of confrontation are divided into several groups. The first defines techniques associated with physical obstacles, the second combines visual and sound repellent systems.

1. Nets and film that prevent birds from even approaching the berries are physical techniques.
2. Ultrasonic repellers and shiny structures around bushes and fruit trees are another group.

Shelter of young trees

To protect young trees or shrub varieties from birds, fine mesh or Agrotex material is well suited. A cocoon of mesh is created around the plant, into which it will be impossible for birds to penetrate. Despite its simplicity, this method has its negative sides. To some extent, the movement of fresh air in the tree crown area will be difficult, which will cause an increase in temperature inside the cocoon due to the greenhouse effect. The level of solar radiation will also decrease, so covering trees with mesh material is not popular among gardeners. Preventive measures and agrotechnical work cannot be carried out on trees packed in nets. You have to constantly remove the material and re-wrap the trees, which can easily damage the branches.

Turntables

A fairly effective way to scare birds away from fruit trees is to use homemade pinwheels. The simplest device is a pinwheel made from a plastic bottle. To do this, 3 or 4 cuts are made on the sides of the plastic container, so that part of the surface can be bent outward in the form of wings. The bottle, through holes in the bottom and cap, is placed on a thick wire, which can be wound to a vertical stick using insulating tape or tape. Even a light wind will cause the structure to rotate, which will scare away the birds. The design can be improved by gluing pieces of shiny foil onto the wings and adding a simple ratchet to the rotating bottle.

Another design of the turntable is made from scrap materials according to the principle of a fan impeller. You can use unnecessary DVD discs as blades, which are glued at an angle into the cuts of a small cylinder. It can be made from wood or foam.

The finished propeller on the axis must be attached to a wooden block, and it is fixed on a vertical pole so that the impeller rotates under the influence of the wind.

In order for the structure to find the wind, a small vane blade is placed at the other end of the block, which turns the impeller.

When making devices designed to scare away birds, it should be borne in mind that maximum effectiveness is ensured when there are several frightening factors. For example, light, sound and movement.

Ultrasonic repellers

The use of ultrasonic generators as a means of repelling birds is a rather controversial issue. Theoretically, ultrasonic radiation, which is not perceived by the human ear, should scare birds away from fruit trees.

Many gardeners note their low efficiency, which, in most cases, is zero. This is due to the fact that budget systems have very little power, so such devices practically do not work in open spaces, due to the large dispersion of ultrasonic vibrations.

To obtain the desired effect, you should purchase only powerful devices, which are quite expensive. Even more expensive systems are bioacoustic generators, which at high volume levels imitate the calls of birds of prey such as a hawk, falcon or owl. The use of such systems in private households is not justified for financial reasons.

Gas guns and firecrackers

Gas or propane guns are quite expensive but effective devices, the use of which makes sense in large garden areas. The gun consists of the following parts:

• metal bell;
• the combustion chamber;
• gas cylinder;
• ignition system;
• tripod;
• programmable timer;
• rotating mechanism.

A small portion of combustible gas is supplied from the cylinder into the combustion chamber, which is located in the back side of the bell. When mixed with air, propane forms an explosive mixture. The mixture is ignited using a piezoelectric element, which works like a lighter for household gas stoves. The result is a very strong bang, which is amplified by the bell. The sound pressure of such a “shot” can reach 130 decibels, which is very loud. A propane cannon is capable of driving away birds in areas from 2 to 7-8 hectares. A programmable timer allows you to set work intervals from 2 to 30 minutes. Thanks to a tripod with a rotating mechanism, the bell rotates 300 after each “shot”, which allows you to cover a large area of ​​the site. The electronic part is powered by a battery, but there are devices with solar panels.

The use of gas guns completely prevents birds from getting used to the “shots”, so the use of such devices will always be effective.

Spraying with protective agents

In addition to mechanical methods to protect cherries from birds, there are chemical control methods. They are based on making the berries tasteless to birds. For this purpose, folk remedies and special chemical compounds are used.

You can read about the treatment of cherries against moniliosis at the link.

Garlic infusion

This is a fairly effective drug that is easy to prepare with your own hands. To do this, you need to mince 500 grams of fresh garlic or grind it in a blender. Then the ground garlic is poured with 5 liters of warm water for one hour. Then the water is drained, and the garlic is again filled with one liter of water. After an hour, both solutions are combined and another 4 liters of water are added. The liquid is sprayed onto cherries. The disadvantage of this method is the high consumption of garlic and the fact that after rain the spraying procedure will have to be repeated.

Red pepper infusion

To prepare this composition you will need hot red chili powder.
One tablespoon of pepper should be mixed with a few drops of liquid soap and four liters of water. Everything should be mixed and left to infuse overnight. In the morning, you can charge the garden sprayer and spray the fruit trees. The use of pepper and, especially, garlic solution is questioned by gardeners. It is believed that no amount of washing the berries will rid them of the garlicky smell. Read about how to fight aphids on cherries without chemicals in this article.

Natural gels

One of the chemical methods of repelling birds is the use of PSC Bird-Free optical gel. It does not have any negative effect on birds. Its action is based on the fact that birds can see in the ultraviolet range, and the components of the gel imitate a burning flame and birds, seeing the fire, avoid approaching the place where this composition is applied. Since the gel has a fairly thick consistency, its use directly on the crown of fruit trees is associated with great difficulties. Most often, such compositions are used on building and architectural structures.

Using a scarecrow

The old method of scaring away birds in gardens and vegetable gardens with the help of scarecrows, which are made in the shape of a human figure, is unfortunately ineffective, since birds quickly get used to a foreign object among the trees and do not perceive it as a threat. Some gardeners attach an old hat to the branches of a cherry tree, which should remind the birds of a cat, but the effectiveness of such a simulator is very doubtful. Modern electronics make it possible to produce scarecrows, which are an effective means of repelling birds.

Such devices are varied in design and functionality.

For example, a garden scarecrow looks like an owl, which small birds are very afraid of. This gadget is installed on the branches of a tree. It is equipped with a motion detector, an acoustic and light module and a mechanical drive for controlling the wings.

As soon as a flock of sparrows or tits tries to approach the cherry tree, the device will begin to make sharp sounds, “flash” its eyes and flap its wings. This reliable layout runs on a built-in battery. There are other garden robots. Their advantage is that they are programmed to perform several actions at once, which can be considered the most effective method of fighting birds.

Application of rustling parts

To solve the problem of how to protect cherries from birds, there is a method of constructing obstacles in the form of rustling structures. Fortunately for summer residents, even the most incredible means at hand can be used here.

For example, resourceful gardeners make “traps” from plastic bags, old newspapers, and plastic bottles. It is important that when there are gusts of wind, a structure built on or near a tree should make significant noise. Only in this case will the birds avoid the berries.

Using things that create a rustling effect

This is a simple and at the same time well-known method for scaring birds away from cherries. To create a rustling effect, use things that are not needed in everyday life. Experienced garden owners use film from music cassettes produced in the 90s of the last century.

A budget option could be to use plastic bags. The most important thing is that objects that are suspended on a tree should make noise.

Shiny elements as repellers

Protecting cherries from birds using homemade products is no less simple than caring for trees and shrubs. Details or elements that reflect sunlight are suitable here.

For example, old tinsel or Christmas tree rain, old CDs, foil. Such means can scare away unscrupulous birds for a long time.

It is worth remembering that over time, birds adapt to even the most sophisticated designs of the physical, sound or visual types. Therefore, in protecting fruits, it is advisable to combine several structures at once.

You can cover the trees with film

If the cherries have not yet reached large sizes, the bushes should be covered with simple cellophane film. Polypropylene mesh, in which Christmas trees are wrapped before sale, is also suitable.

You just need to throw the material over the crown and the birds will definitely fly around such cherries, since they will not be able to fully approach the fruits to feast on them.

Reviews from gardeners

Galina, Tver

I hung New Year's rain on one tree. It shines and flutters in the wind, which scares away the birds. It seemed to help, they were able to pick the berries.

Source: farmerforum.ru

Olga, Minsk

Having tied the end of the thread to a branch, throw the spools through the tree several times so that the thread covers the entire crown. A very practical way to preserve tree fruits.

Source: www.forum-volgograd.ru

Ultrasound – guarding the preservation of the crop

Such devices can be purchased at any garden store. The sounds that the device makes are inaudible to humans, but they can significantly disturb birds.

When ultrasound propagates, birds feel discomfort and anxiety, which forces them to quickly leave the areas where this effect is widespread.

The store-bought device should be installed near fruit trees and directed in their direction.

Electronic repellers are also available for sale. They operate through a system of small-frequency vibrations, which are absolutely safe for humans and unacceptable for birds.

There are devices that even emit streams of light as soon as a small flying object approaches a tree with the intention of destroying a rich harvest.

How to cover cherries from birds: tips

If you have low-growing varieties, then it makes sense to purchase special covering materials. To do this, you can use a mesh with small cells. There are quite a large number of such products in gardening stores. Non-woven materials are also used. But these methods are not suitable for tall trees, so it is not possible to throw such nets onto tall trees. And the material consumption is high, so the labor costs do not justify the cherry harvest. But for small trees it is quite a suitable option.

Many summer residents really struggle with birds, as they cause damage to the crop and peck a significant number of cherry berries. But it is worth noting that one starling eats up to 300 g of various insects per day, which eat the leaves of your cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes. Therefore, we advise you to place feeders with grains in the areas and hang scarers on the trees.

Gas guns

This is a non-standard solution, but it can also scare away birds from berry crops for a long time. The use of gas guns is justified and safe. The technology is based on the action of a container with a propane cylinder.

The gas bursts out at different intervals, which gives the effect of a shot. There are always five-liter cannons on sale, which last for about 5-6 thousand salvos.

Use special means

Treatment of fruit trees with chemicals

Natural substances such as garlic extract will do. This component will not harm a person. The product should be sprayed onto the fruits of cherries, cherries, gooseberries or black currants. Experts advise repeating treatments every time after rain.

Scarecrow

Yes, and this option is suitable as a repeller for birds that have become addicted to the delicious fruits of cherries. It is enough to build a scarecrow from available materials.

Typically, such a product lasts no more than a season, but this is enough to protect the crop. By next spring you can make a new, even more terrible “monster”.

Some statistics in defense of birds

It is no coincidence that our attitude towards our feathered neighbors fluctuates from positive to negative. Being helpers in the spring and early summer, sparrows, starlings, and tits become pests during the ripening period of the crop. However, if you evaluate their good deeds, it turns out that without birds our gardens will be more difficult than with them.

Thus, a sparrow, feeding its offspring, collects from 500 to 700 insects per day, most of which are pests of agricultural crops. Their list includes: apple flower beetle, leaf roller, bread bug, chafer beetle, nectar silkworm caterpillars and other unpleasant inhabitants of our gardens and vegetable gardens. In addition, in winter, sparrows, feeding on plant seeds, destroy a large number of weed seeds.

A starling feeds a chick. © Nest for Nature

Starlings are no less hardworking. In one day of light, just one pair of birds eats about 300 g of insects and their larvae. Thus, in order for the garden to be healthy, according to scientists, it must have 2 to 4 pairs of sparrows, 1-2 families of starlings and at least 2 pairs of tits working in it, which destroy up to 400 pests per day for one adult couple.

Other folk methods

You can add a pepper infusion that will definitely scare away uninvited guests. To do this, you need to purchase 10-15 pods of chili pepper, grind them and add three liters of water. Leave for a week.

Then pump the product into a spray bottle and spray the tree, along with the fruits. It is important to remember that stored processed crops must be thoroughly washed after harvesting.

Fruit trees should be treated with pepper infusion repeatedly after showers or even light rain.

Photo of cherry tree care