Keeping birds off?

[Shane]

I seem to recall someone suggested tabasco or the like to keep birds off our bonsais, but I cannot find the reference. Is that correct? I use spiky plastic mats I picked up in Japan at the 100 Yen shop, but I'm getting tired of the ugly look. Cheers.

[fae]

I had heard that Tabasco sauce diluted with water by sprayed on the floor to keep lizards out.

Not sure about this working with birds, anything is worth a try.

Fiona

[Paulneill]

Read that lime sulphur works

[Josh]

Hi Shane. I used two coke cans joined together and hung from a tree. I cut the top off both cans, then slice up one can to form strips. I then fold the strips out and give them a twist so they can catch the wind. Then insert the other can inside the split can. Pierce a hole top and bottom and thread some fishing line through. Hang from a tree or pole near the bonsai using a swivel. Even the slightest breeze will make it spin. Birds hate it I use them near pots with moss to stop them pulling the miss out. Works a treat. I will post a photo when I take one easy to take down to show the bonsai if you want to.

Josh

[maple]

Shane, when you get something that works, patent it! I think everything has been tried from rubber snakes to CD's hanging in the breeze. The birds seem to get used to them all after a while. My biggest pest is the Blackbird while they are nest building. I've given up with moss with the exception of getting a tree ready for exhibition. When I do get a tree ready, it goes undercover, indoors until the exhibition.

[Shane]

Ok, going to try the lime sulphur as I've now found that also recommended by Harry Harrison, and the particular tree needs some anyway. Thanks guys.

[Andrew Ward]

There's a product you can sometimes buy at the Daizo Store (100 Yen Shop) called 'Cat Off'. It is a series of moulded plastic spikes on a mesh. I place it around my bonsai and over moss ... it's exceptional at keeping the birds from scratching around in my bonsai and pinching the moss.

[Jason]

Yeah, my pop had a few different things in his veggie patch. He had a few different things around that'd move or make noise with the wind. I think if you have a couple of different things, than that'll always keep them on their toes

Otherwise, there is a product used for squirrels and dear (as well as birds), it has a sensor in your yard attached to a sprinkler like thing, that shoots water at anything it detects in your yard.

http://www.sureguard.com.au/Keep-Birds- ... -ScareCrow

[Joel]

I seem to recall someone suggested tabasco or the like to keep birds off our bonsais, but I cannot find the reference. Is that correct? I use spiky plastic mats I picked up in Japan at the 100 Yen shop, but I'm getting tired of the ugly look. Cheers.

Tobasco sauce is made from the tobasco chilli and doesn't repel birds. Chillies evolved to produce capsaicin (the hot stuff) specifically because birds aren't affected by the heat. Other animals resist eating the fruit which is good for the plant as most other animals have a digestive system that would destroy the seeds. Humans are masochists though and I personally love chillies!

Joel

[Shane]

Thanks Joel. Won't bother with tabasco then.

[alpineart]

Well i have had issues with black birds and sparrows for 15 years and more until a little pup come along ."The Bear" grew up , and a Border Collie in training wont let anything land in the bonsai , he grubs up if they fly over head or land in the large tree's . I have plenty of moss under guard and haven't seen a black bird or sparrow for months , guess they were persuaded to find a new hunting ground

Sorry He is not for hire , his job is too important here

Cheers Alpine

[Josh]

Here is my bird scarer?? Made from 2 cans hanging on a piece of string. I have moss on the bench out I the open with no problem. If take it down the moss is gone within a day (couple of hours usually.

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One day I'll get around to putting some trees in the landscape and it might be worth something
This is all I use and works a treat. If I remove it for some reason the birds are in to the moss within an hour or so. Quick, easy and effective.

Josh

[Andrew Legg]

Here is my bird scarer?? Made from 2 cans hanging on a piece of string. I have moss on the bench out I the open with no problem. If take it down the moss is gone within a day (couple of hours usually.

P1010379.JPG

One day I'll get around to putting some trees in the landscape and it might be worth something
This is all I use and works a treat. If I remove it for some reason the birds are in to the moss within an hour or so. Quick, easy and effective.

Josh

So it scares away the moss eating birds, but not the tree eating birds!

[Josh]

Here is my bird scarer?? Made from 2 cans hanging on a piece of string. I have moss on the bench out I the open with no problem. If take it down the moss is gone within a day (couple of hours usually.

P1010379.JPG

One day I'll get around to putting some trees in the landscape and it might be worth something
This is all I use and works a treat. If I remove it for some reason the birds are in to the moss within an hour or so. Quick, easy and effective.

Josh

So it scares away the moss eating birds, but not the tree eating birds!

Huh

[Steven]

Huh

I think he was referring to the fact that there is a tree missing from the pot you posted

I use a Scarecrow to keep fish eating birds away from my pond. I lost a number of fish to an Egret that would come every morning for sushi breakfast. Since the scarecrow I haven't lost one. Plus you get to have a good laugh when people or dogs walk up to the edge of the pond and trigger the sensor

Regards,
Steven

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