Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

blackbird deterrent

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • blackbird deterrent

    my lazy beds are getting tore apart blackbirds. I have overwintering onions planted they are pencil tick but the blackbirds are breaking them and digging them up what can i do besides shooting them
    one years weed is seven years seed

  • #2
    Put nets (2nd hand net curtain from charity shops) or fleece over them. To be fair they are probably after worms and the like on you beds.
    ntg
    Never be afraid to try something new.
    Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
    A large group of professionals built the Titanic
    ==================================================

    Comment


    • #3
      Alternatively, string black cotton zig-zag style over the tops, and if you really think it'll help, pass it through some old CD'S too.
      As NtG says, they are probably after the worms. Birds only tend to be a pest of onions and other alliums when the plants are very small or setts newly planted. If yours are pencil thick, they shouldn't do lasting damage as the roots should prevent them being completely removed by inquisitive birdies.
      Rat

      British by birth
      Scottish by the Grace of God

      http://scotsburngarden.blogspot.com/
      http://davethegardener.blogspot.com/

      Comment


      • #4
        I got the same problem here Nemo, Black birds has dig out my onions and some of my garlic cloves ...
        those bulbs has been expose to hardfrost for several nights and I don't know if they are are dead or not... but never mind... I am not going to kill the black birds because of it, they are in a way helpfull in controlling the slugs populations...
        Cover your bulbs with some fleece and it will stop them from digging.

        All the best,
        Momol
        Last edited by momol; 04-01-2008, 07:53 PM.
        I grow, I pick, I eat ...

        Comment


        • #5
          Blackbirds are my favourite songbird. They don't eat the onions, just uproot them digging for worms. If you feed them in another part of the garden (they love rotting apples), you may attract them away from your onion bed.
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

          Comment


          • #6
            thanks everyone i should of thought of covering them with netting or fleas. i had no thought of shooting them it was a the heat of the moment reaction
            one years weed is seven years seed

            Comment


            • #7
              Blackbirds are lovely. They don't eat your crops the way pigeons do. Protect your baby onions with string or netting, and give the blackbirds some leftover apples or raisins away from your seed bed. They will deal with plenty of slugs for you too! Be nice to them.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by nemo View Post
                thanks everyone i should of thought of covering them with netting or fleas.
                Hedgepigs are covered with fleas. Just have to catch your hedgepig ...
                All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

                Comment


                • #9
                  well spotted TWO SHEEDS i will have to use spell check in future
                  one years weed is seven years seed

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by nemo View Post
                    well spotted TWO SHEEDS i will have to use spell check in future

                    LOL !
                    did you get your barrier method up and running yet?
                    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      hello two sheds
                      i bought a roll of 12mm plastic piping from my local agri store which i will cut and bent to make hoops. the hoops were placed over the bed i put an old salmon net over the hoops .hopefully they wont get stuck in the mesh
                      regards nemo
                      one years weed is seven years seed

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by nemo View Post
                        my lazy beds are getting tore apart blackbirds. I have overwintering onions planted they are pencil tick but the blackbirds are breaking them and digging them up what can i do besides shooting them
                        same problem!!! i also have a squrrel doing the same thing? anyone know any remedies or deterrents to stop these rascals messing my garden???

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          sorry guys i didnt see the answers (im new!)

                          will try these and see if they work

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Try chicken wire bent over them rather than fleece/mesh.
                            To see a world in a grain of sand
                            And a heaven in a wild flower

                            Comment

                            Latest Topics

                            Collapse

                            Recent Blog Posts

                            Collapse
                            Working...
                            X