Keeping birds away from an apple tree is an important task for growers. If a bird population builds up around an apple tree, it has the potential to cause significant damage to the fruit, leaves and branches of the tree. In order to keep birds away, it’s important to understand what attracts them in the first place. Here are several practices that can help prevent birds from disturbing your apple tree.
Birds are attracted to the sweet taste of ripe apples, and the sound of eating them is a major draw for them. To reduce the temptation to the birds, ensure that you regularly pick and harvest the ripe apples and prevent them from becoming over ripe. Additionally, when harvesting apples, make sure that you don’t leave any on the ground that may attract birds.
Birds are also attracted to the trees because of the bugs that congregate around them, so regular insect control is essential. Utilize insecticides to reduce the bug population and discourage birds from visiting the tree. Alternatively, natural methods like using insect-eating animals or birds can help keep bug populations low while establishing a balance between predators and prey.
Hanging shiny objects around the perimeter of your orchard will also help repel birds, as they are startled by the glint and movement of the items. Aluminium cans or strips of water-proof material like plastic, paper or cloth that reflect light can be hung around the tree branches or leaves. Strings of CDs also employ this principle as they are able to spin or shake in the wind and scare away birds.
Covering the tree with row covers or special netting is also an effective way to repel birds, since the barrier prevents them from accessing the fruit. Farmers should consider investing in netting that is resistant to decay and rot, so that it can stay in use for many seasons to come. This method also keeps out pests, reducing the need for applying pesticide to the apple tree.
Lastly, you can deter birds from coming to the apple tree by simply scaring them away when you spot them. Bird scarers, also known as bird bombs, thunderflashes or bangers, can sometimes be used to drive off birds by way of loud noises. However, these have to be used with caution, as they may have the unintended consequence of stressing other animals in the area. When using any deterrent, it is important to make sure it conforms to any state or local laws.
Making a Noise
Using sound as a deterrent is perhaps one of the oldest methods of bird control. Strings of empty cans and pie pans can be hung around the trunk or branches of a tree, creating a metallic sound as they move in the wind or when a bird lands. Explosives, such as firecrackers, can also be employed to create loud noises to scare birds away, but extreme caution should be taken if one opts to use this method.
Ultrasonic sounds are another potential deterrent. These are noises that are undetectable to humans but can be heard by many birds. There are now several bird repellent devices on the market which release ultrasonic sounds that can drive away birds, but their effectiveness is unproven. Some claim that combining ultrasonic sound with other deterrents is more effective than using it alone.
Loudspeakers can also be strategically placed near the apple tree to broadcast hawk or owl sounds. The reasoning behind this is that these birds are natural predators and will scare away other birds in the vicinity. Though this method can only be done on a small scale, it is an effective way to frighten off other birds without exposing them to danger.
Noisemakers such as sirens, air horns, whistles, bells and firecrackers are also effective at scaring away birds. They can be used alone or in combination with other deterrents. When using noisemakers, take note that birds may become more accustomed to them over time, so it is important to be judicious in their use.
Overall, making use of sound-based deterrents are a reliable way to frighten away birds from your apple tree. Just ensure that you select ones that your local laws do not forbid, and ones that are safe for the local wildlife and environment.
Visual Scarers
In addition to sound-based deterrents, you can also employ visual methods of frightening off birds from your apple tree. These include inflatable snakes, plastic owls and other objects of similar sizes and shapes that can be placed near the tree. The idea here is that birds will be startled and afraid at the sight of these items, thereby discouraging them from hanging around the tree.
Colored plastic or spiky balloons or ribbons can also work as a visual deterrent. The movement and bright colors can startle birds and drive them away. Again, the key here is to ensure that the items used doesn’t put the birds in danger and can be used safely indoors or outdoors.
Visual deterrents should be regularly moved and replaced to maximize their effectiveness. This is because birds may become accustomed to the sight of the items and no longer be afraid of them. Rotating the location of the scarers or items on the tree can also help keep the birds away.
In summary, visual deterrents are a viable and inexpensive way to scare birds away from the apple tree. However, this method may require regular maintenance and requires some determination to rotate the placement of the items.
Time-Based Deterrents
Time-based deterrents involve using different methods at different times of the day, depending on when birds may be most active. This is ideal for farmers who are short on time as it only requires short periods of maintenance. For instance, if birds are active during the night, one can use pitched tents at nightfall and leave these up until morning.
Stringing fishing nets between the branches of the apple trees is another example of a time-based deterrent. These can be stretched across the tree before birds are active in the morning and then removed during the day. While this method is labor intensive, the nets can be used for many seasons if kept in good condition.
Another option is to use lip-gripping clamps, which attach to the tree in a way that prevents birds from eating or roosting in the branches. These can be left on the trees during the day, but they should be carefully removed in the morning and evening during the end and beginning of the day, to minimize any impact it may have on other wildlife.
Lastly, fumigators or aerosols can also be used at specific times, such as the early morning or evening. Fumigators should be sprayed in the tree or around the perimeter in order to create a ‘fog’ around the apple tree. Again, caution should be taken when using this method, as the toxicity of the aerosol should be considered as it may affect local wildlife.
To conclude, time-based deterrents are an effective way to keep birds away from an apple tree without a great deal of ongoing maintenance. The key is to be mindful of the type of deterrents used and the duration of their use, so as to not have an adverse effect on the environment.
