How to Keep Birds Off Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a popular garden crop, but unfortunately, birds like to snack on them too. Tomato plants can suffer serious damage from birds, who peck at the fruit and leave unsightly holes behind. However, there are several methods you can use to keep birds off your tomato plants and protect your crop.

1. Install Bird Netting

One effective solution to keep birds from destroying your tomato plants is to install bird netting. Bird netting is a mesh material that is stretched over your plants to prevent birds from landing on them. Make sure to choose a netting with small holes to keep smaller birds like sparrows and finches out. Larger birds like crows and seagulls can still get through the netting, so additional methods may be needed to keep them away.

2. Use Reflective Scare Tape

Reflective scare tape can also be used to deter birds from your tomato plants. The tape has a shiny surface that reflects light and creates an illusion of danger for birds. Hang the tape in strips around your tomato plants, making sure to crisscross the tape to create a chaotic pattern that will scare birds away. However, be sure to move the tape frequently to keep the illusion fresh and effective.

3. Create a Scarecrow

A classic way to keep birds away is to create a scarecrow. Build or purchase a scarecrow and place it near your tomato plants. The presence of a human-like figure can deter birds from getting too close to your crop. To be most effective, you may need to move the scarecrow around your garden every few days to keep birds from getting accustomed to its presence.

4. Use a Decoy Bird of Prey

Another method to scare birds away from your tomato plants is to place a decoy bird of prey near your garden. This can be a falcon or hawk statue, or even a plastic owl or other bird of prey. Birds will be afraid to approach your garden thinking a real bird of prey could be nearby, and will be less likely to land on your tomato plants.

5. Plant Extra Tomato Plants as a Sacrifice

If you have a large garden, you can plant extra tomato plants as a sacrifice for birds to eat. This will lure birds away from your main crop and satisfy their appetite without harming your tomato plants. Be sure to plant these sacrifice plants away from your main crop to avoid cross-pollination.

Conclusion

Birds can pose a serious threat to your tomato plants, but with these methods, you can keep them at bay and enjoy a successful harvest. Whether you use bird netting, reflective scare tape, a scarecrow, a decoy bird of prey, or sacrifice plants, there are many strategies you can employ to protect your tomato crop from pesky birds.