Cherries are highly sought after fruits due to their low-calorie yet sweet nature, making them the perfect treat for any health-conscious person. However, cherries can be difficult to source, as birds can be a nuisance when trying to cultivate them. For anyone wanting to enjoy the deliciousness of freshly-picked cherries, it is important to know how to keep birds out of the precious tree.
One major way to deter birds from the cherries is using reflective materials. By stringing a variety of materials such as old CDs, shiny ribbons, and even aluminum foil, you will be able to create a sparkling perimeter. The constant reflections from the materials will be an effective deterrent for many birds, as they tend to be scared off by unfamiliar light and movement.
Another option you can look into is using noise to protect the cherries. Creating a loud, obnoxious sound near the fruit tree will help keep the birds away. Many people use wind chimes, bells or even sirens, but you can use any sound-making devices, as long as the noise is consistent. Additionally, playing a CD or a recording of bird predators will create the impression that predators are nearby and will, thus, bring fear and make the birds fly away.
You can also use birds’ aversion to certain smells to discourage them from the fruit tree. For this method, you can opt for store-bought sprays or with your own concoction. Mint, garlic and chili powder, when blended together and sprayed on the tree, can successfully ward off the birds. Of course, you should also clean up any fallen ripe fruits to prevent the birds from using it as a food source.
Although employing the physical solutions discussed above may help, it is equally important to ensure that you take the necessary structural precautions to keep birds away from your cherries. By trimming your tree to create a more open center, or pruning any wayward branches that may be able to provide resting places for birds, you can effectively make it difficult for avian visitors to access your fruits.
A great way to naturally phase birds out of the equation is by introducing friendly predators. Chickens and cats are known for their natural fear of birds. Allowing these animals to patrol the grounds around the fruit tree will help reduce the visits of their feathered counterparts.
Netting
Netting is another effective way of ensuring that the birds will stay away from the cherries. The material works by trapping birds within the net and preventing them from entering the foliage. This solution is ideal for those looking to have quick and easy results, however, depending on the size of the tree, it can easily become costly.
For a more budget-friendly option, you may want to opt for plastic netting. This materials can be place over the foliage and although it won’t trap the birds, its slippery texture makes it difficult for them to land and cling onto its surface. Additionally, because the net is transparent, the fruit is still exposed to the sunlight and the growth of the cherries will not be hindered.
Decoys
Decoys are incredibly effective tools when trying to keep birds away. These handmade tools are characterised by their realistic shapes and sizes that make it almost indistinguishable from a real animal. By strategically placing these decoys near the fruit tree, such as a hawk or owl, the birds will be intimidated by the idea that a predator is watching them. The placement of these decoys should be constantly changed, however, as birds are often too smart to fall for the same decoy in the same spot multiple times.
If your cherry tree is close to your home or if the fruit tree is an ornamental one, decoys may not be a fitting solution. If that is the case, opt for life-like predator silhouettes instead. Hang these shapes around the tree, ensuring that they are visible to the birds, in order to fool them into thinking that they are being watched.
Fences
Physical fencing is known to keep out even the most persistent birds. Installing wire fencing or even electric fencing alongside the cherry tree will help protect the cherries and provide the extra security needed to keep the birds away. The importance of these physical barriers is that they will block the bird’s access and make it difficult for them to settle near the tree.
The type of fence you’ll need will depend on the size of the cherry tree and the expected number of birds trying to enter. To ensure the best protection, you may want to install a double layer of fences. If a single fence appears fragile or if birds find ways to slip under or through, having two fences will ensure that your cherries are fully protected.
Repellents & Sprays
Chemical repellents and sprays are available for purchase in most garden stores or online. These products are designed to keep birds away from specific areas, in this case, away from the cherry tree. Most repellents have a strong smell and taste, often containing ingredients such as garlic and chili powder, which will help keep the birds away. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using chemical sprays to avoid any potential harm.
In some cases, birds can be extremely persistent and, thus, resistant to some of the solutions discussed, so it may be necessary to mix and match your solutions. For example, combining netting with decoys, or using repellents in tandem with physical barriers. Doing this will help create a perimeter of protection, ensuring that birds will always be intimidated before deciding to try and reach your cherries.
Synthetic Repellents
Synthetic repellents are a great way to avoid the mess associated with natural repellents and sprays. These easy-to-apply chemicals come in the form of granules, discs, and even liquid spray. Most of these products have ingredients that provide an unpleasant sensory experience to birds, such as taste and smell. Alternatively, more potent repellents attach shock-inducing effects, making the birds think twice before coming near.
Synthetic repellents are just temporary solutions and should be refreshed every few weeks for maximum efficiency. They are also an effective way of monitoring the level of birds in your area and how efficient your existing solutions are, as their appearance and disappearance will provide an indication of the effectiveness of your protection measures.
Physical Protection
Many gardeners opt for physical protection in order to keep birds away from their fruit trees. This type of measure tends to be way more affordable than the chemical solutions since it relies heavily on physical barriers. By using things such as cardboard boxes, tin cans, plastic bags, pieces of carpet or other materials, you can create a protected area around the tree.
Be sure to install these items starting from the tree and extending outward, as this will provide an effective physical layer of protection that will be hard to pass. Additionally, the physical barriers will be visible to the birds, making them immediately understand that this area is off limits. The downside to this solution is that it won’t be effective against smaller birds such as sparrows.
Other Natural Solutions
Many people opt to mix and match the solutions discussed in order to create the perfect deterrent for their cherry tree. One classic method is by using chili-soaked cotton balls – by placing the cotton balls around the tree, the smell of chili powder will be much stronger, making it a powerful deterrent for any birds.
Another classic homemade solution is by creating an aluminum funnel that leads out of the cherry tree. This funnel is easy to make and works by providing a safe escape for birds who have already entered the tree. In theory, the birds won’t enter the tree at all, knowing that they have no way out.
Finally, you can also turn to predators in order to keep away the birds. Animals such as cats are known for their fear of birds, and by introducing a few of these animals around the tree, you will be able to provide another layer of protection.
