I'm curious if anyone here has tried using fake fruits, like cherry tomatoes or strawberries, as a way to deter birds and squirrels from munching on the real ones. Does it actually work? And where's the best place to find these fake fruits?
3 Answers
I've had success using fake snakes to scare away birds and other critters. I've got a few of them scattered around my garden and I try to move them around every now and then. Just the other day, a chipmunk spotted one and freaked out, running back under the deck! It's a little mean, but I prefer this over harming the animals just trying to eat my veggies.
Absolutely, using fake strawberries really does help! I set them out a few months before my real berries started to ripen, and while the birds did give them a try, they eventually gave up. Now I mainly deal with some bugs and the odd rat, but birds don't bother my fruits anymore!
I also hang red Christmas ornaments on my tomato plants to keep cardinals away. I made sure to put them out before the plants started growing, and it's been effective! Plus, they give a fun festive look to my garden.