Birds seem to be taking my strawberries just as they ripen. What has worked for keeping them off the plants, and how can I tell if something else is getting to the fruit?
How do I keep birds from getting the strawberries?
Asked by PineSignal
Answers
A cage or cover with small mesh openings is the most direct fix, but check that it closes around the edges and has no gaps. For just a few plants, mesh bags over the fruit clusters can be simpler. Put them on as the berries start to ripen, not after they have already been damaged.
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First check when the damage happens and where the berries are. Birds may leave pecked fruit, while slugs, snails, or other small pests can chew berries that touch the ground, sometimes overnight. Keeping fruit off the soil and inspecting around the plants after dark can help narrow it down.
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A shallow bowl of clean water set away from the plants may give thirsty birds another place to drink, though it is not a guaranteed deterrent. Keep it clean and change the water daily. I would treat that as an extra measure, not a substitute for a secure cover.
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