After overseeding or reseeding a lawn, it’s necessary to protect seeds from being eaten by birds. If you don’t do that, the birds will eat every seed they can find and put your effort and investment down the drain.
This guide covers some effective ways to keep birds from eating grass seeds. You can select a suitable technique or combine a few for exceptional performance.
1) Apply Top Dressing
After seeding a lawn, it is recommended to apply a top dressing on the soil. It not only protects the grass from birds but also keeps the soil moist for a longer period and increases the chances of successful germination.
Top dressing means laying a thin layer of material over the seeds. There are a few material options.
The first one is the Peat Moss, which is a fibrous material. It holds an exceptional amount of water compared to its weight. That’s the reason it keeps the soil moist and facilitates germination. The best thing is that when it dries out, it turns light tan. It is an indication that you should water the lawn.
The second option is Compost, which is the favorite of many lawn owners, especially those who care for the environment. Apart from protecting seeds from birds, it improves soil quality. It enhances microbial life in soil and nutrients.
Lawn owners also go with straw as it is budget-friendly, lightweight, and easy to spread. It creates a mesh-like structure when watered. Just make sure to use certified straw to prevent weed infestation.
2) Use Burlap Sheets
You can also lay burlap sheets on your lawn after seeding. It creates a protective layer, and birds won’t be able to eat grass seeds beneath them.
It works everywhere in your lawn, but its specialty is steep slopes. If there are steep slopes in your lawn, you can prevent seed washout by using burlap. It secures seeds at those locations and protects them during rainstorms.
Burlap sheets retain moisture for a long time. They act like a sponge, and once you water them, they keep the soil moist for effective seed germination. It reduces the chances of drying out. Laying these sheets is extremely easy, and you can also lift them without any hassle. After laying them, keep an eye on the grass. When they reach 1 inch, remove the sheets.
3) Place Reflective Items
It’s a simple yet effective technique to keep birds away from your lawn. And it also saves you money.
Birds have highly sensitive eyesight. They flicker more frequently than humans. They perceive rapid changes in light. When these reflective surfaces reflect light and shimmer, it makes the bird uncomfortable. It’s an alarm that keeps them away.
You just need some reflective items, such as CDs or aluminum foil. You can hang them using a string on trees and bushes. And if you want to place them over the soil, tape them on a stick and insert it in the soil.
For better results, you can get Mylar tape. It has a holographic diamond pattern that looks like predator eyes to the birds. Secondly, it also produces a metallic sound because of the wind. That’s the reason it works more effectively and creates a visual and auditory preventive layer.
You can also look for reflective pinwheels. They are easily available online and come with stakes to install in the lawn without any hassle. Their sparkling effect keeps birds away.
4) Use Grass Seed Mats
If you want to save yourself from the hassle of seeding and protecting them from birds, the best option is getting grass seed mats.
These are actually biodegradable fiber mats that contain grass seeds and starter fertilizer. They also act as a mulch on the soil and keep it moist for a longer period.
They come in rolls. You only need to spread them in your lawn and water them properly. After watering, they stick to the ground.
The seeds have the required fertilizer for germination, and they offer excellent results. They can turn your lawn green within a few weeks, and you don’t have to worry about birds.
5) Install Bird Netting
Installing bird netting is an extremely effective technique that works even in severe bird invasions. It is ideal for areas with a major bird problem.
It’s a lightweight fine mesh installed 2-3 inches above the ground. It is held by stakes you insert in the soil. Just make sure the net is tight enough. Otherwise, birds will try to poke their beaks through the net and might get trapped.
The net is like a mesh, so it allows sunlight and air to pass through to improve seed germination.
6) Place Decoys
The aim of placing decoys is to scare birds from predators. Keep in mind that not all birds eat grass seeds. Sparrows, finches, starlings, doves, and pigeons are the common lovers of grass seeds. You have to scare them to keep them away.
The most common decoy that lawn owners use is the great horned owl. You can easily find one online and in hardware stores. Place them over the fence or on a tall stake. It looks like the owl is guarding the lawn, and birds won’t dare to enter. The second option is a hawk decoy, as a bird feels threatened to roam around them.
These decoys work, but make sure to change their position in the lawn. Move them to create an illusion that they are living.
7) Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers are not only effective for birds but also for unwanted animals in the lawn. They are harmless, but they scare birds and animals and keep them away from the property.
They have infrared motion sensors that detect the presence of animals and birds in the area. When any motion is detected, they fire a water pulse for a few seconds, which is more than enough to scare the bird.
Secondly, the sound of the sprinkler is also an alarm that shocks birds. The sudden movement and noise of these sprinklers protect the seeds.
These sprinklers have a finite range, and you can install multiple in your lawn. You can easily insert them in the soil, and all you need to do is connect them to a water source using compatible hoses. The best part is that these sprinklers run on batteries, so you don’t need to lay wires and create a mess.
8) Set Up a Scarecrow
Setting up a scarecrow isn’t something new. Farmers have been doing it for ages. You can also place a scary scarecrow in the seeded area. It’s something you can make at home using straw and old clothes.
For better results, use oversized shirts. They move because of the wind and create an illusion of a living man. You can also add reflective items, such as mylar tape or eyes, to keep birds away.
9) Use Bird-Resistant Seeds
Instead of using normal grass seeds, you can opt for bird-resistant seeds. They have a special coating that has a bitter taste. If a bird eats one seed, it will dare to eat one more.
Usually, the seeds are treated with Anthraquinone. It’s a naturally occurring compound with a bitter taste, and it does not harm birds. However, it will compel the bird to find another place to eat.
10) Use Noise Deterrents
Noise deterrents create an uncomfortable noise for the birds. For instance, ultrasonic devices produce a high-frequency noise that is inaudible to humans but irritating to birds. After hearing the sound, they prefer to leave the area.
But keep in mind that the effectiveness of these devices highly depends on the species. Some birds are sensitive to these frequencies, while some might bear it.
A simple solution would be to use a battery-powered radio as a noise deterrent. You can leave it on a talk radio station at low volume. It mimics the presence of humans in the lawn and keeps birds away.
11) Place Wind Chimes
Wind chimes not only look appealing and sound soothing, but also keep birds away from the lawn. Get a metallic wind chime as it produces sound and also reflects the light. It is more effective in keeping birds away.
These produce high-frequency noise that is sharp. It acts as a deterrent as birds take it as a sense of danger. They think the area is unsafe for them.
Place them in the middle of the lawn. You can place multiples according to the size of the yard.
FAQs
What is the best deterrent for birds from eating grass seed?
Animal decoys, such as an owl or a hawk, are excellent deterrents for birds. You can also use reflective items in your lawn, such as mylar tape, CDs, aluminum foil, or reflective pinwheels.
Should I cover grass seed with netting?
Yes, you should cover grass seed with netting. It protects the seeds from birds as well as wind and rain. It keeps the seed in its place to ensure better germination results.
What is the best thing to cover grass seed with?
You can cover the grass seed with peat moss or compost. Peat moss is a lightweight top-dressing that keeps the lawn damp for a long time. Compost is an eco-friendly option that also improves soil quality. It enhances microbial life in soil and nutrients. You can also use straw to cover the grass seeds.
What is a homemade remedy to keep birds away?
Peppermint oil is an excellent homemade remedy to keep birds away. Birds do not like the smell. You can mix peppermint essential oil with water and spray it on the perimeter of your lawn.
