With spring now well underway, gardeners are urged to be mindful of birds that may eat seedlings, or wreak havoc among plants in search of insects.
Birds such as magpies and pigeons are two in particular to watch out for. And one gardening expert has shared an easy tip to keep them at bay.
Marc, a gardener and founder of Garden Desk, has shared that the best way to stop birds from being a pest is to hang up a shiny object such as a CD or DVD. He said: “In the past, I have had problems with all kinds of animals eating the garden.
Explaining how CDs can deter birds, he explained: “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.”
The discs can startle birds due to their reflective properties; they mimic the sudden flash of a predator’s presence. As Marc suggests, when suspended, the whirling discs, combined with the flashing effect, appear alive and menacing to birds.
You can create your own natural bird deterrent by threading string through a CD or DVD, securing it, and then hanging it in areas where birds frequent.
Hanging old discs at varying heights in a sunny spot is an effective method to deter birds from your garden. If you don’t have any spare discs, the tin foil dish from a steak pie can serve as a suitable substitute.
However, it’s worth noting that birds are intelligent creatures and may eventually realise that the shiny objects pose no threat. Therefore, it’s advisable to relocate the discs every few weeks.
The most successful natural bird deterrent strategy involves combining various methods such as scarecrows, pinwheels, yellow flowers, and some individuals even utilise honey to prevent them from landing on roofs.