Gardeners will soon start to notice the birds returning to their gardens, causing mayhem by digging through the soil, eating seedlings and leaving their droppings everywhere
With the arrival of warmer, brighter weather, green-fingered enthusiasts are set to flock to their gardens to plant new blooms and crops, making it crucial to keep an eye out for our feathered friends.
Birds like magpies and pigeons have a penchant for freshly sown seeds and can wreak havoc in gardens by rummaging through soil for bugs and leaving their droppings scattered about.
Marc, a seasoned gardener and the brains behind Garden Desk, has divulged that the top trick to deter birds from causing chaos is to dangle a shiny object, such as a CD or DVD, reports the Express.
He shared: “In the past, I have had problems with all kinds of animals eating the garden. Last year, my ultimate garden nemesis was the Blue Jay! Blue Jays ate all of our corn seedlings and then started on our apples.
“I was able to scare them away from the apple trees with shiny silver CDs. CDs are the modern-day equivalent to pie pans. My Grandpa used to save tin or aluminium pie plates all year long to use as scarecrows. Today, it is easier to get shiny CDs or DVDs.”
It might sound odd, but CDs and DVDs catch light to create sudden, bright flashes, which can fool birds into sensing danger, like a lurking predator.
These discs will twirl in the breeze, and this motion, along with the glinting, can give the impression that the object is alive, posing a threat to birds.
To naturally shoo birds away, simply thread string through the central hole of a CD or DVD, secure it with a knot, and hang it in areas where birds tend to gather.
The most effective method to deter birds from your garden is to hang old discs in a sunny spot at varying heights. If you don’t have any old discs handy, the tin foil dish from your next steak pie purchase will serve the same purpose.
However, it’s worth noting that birds are intelligent and may eventually realise the shiny object isn’t a threat, so it’s advisable to move the discs around every few weeks.
For the best natural bird deterrent, combine various methods such as scarecrows, pinwheels, yellow flowers, and some individuals even utilise honey to keep them off the roof.