Getting your seeds totally covered is a cardinal rule
A common challenge among gardeners and homeowners is keeping birds from eating grass seed before your lawn gets a chance to sprout. An unprotected lawn with fresh seeds is a welcoming buffet to birds, and their paradise often becomes our frustration.
Preparing the soil and sowing your seeds is the first step, but what you do after determines whether your seeds take root or you need to start the process all over again by reseeding or calling professional bird control near you. Combine the following six tactics strategically for the greatest possible effect.
Bird netting is a super effective way to safeguard your seeds. It acts like a wall, preventing the birds from getting at your lawn as they can’t fit their beaks through the netting or pull seeds up through it. Bird netting is our top choice for humane tactics, but ensure it is securely flat to the ground with no ruffles, as birds can otherwise sneak their way underneath.
Aluminum plates, mylar bands, fake owls, scarecrows, and other items can sometimes work to keep birds away. Birds will typically steer clear of shining objects they don’t know. If you choose to use deterrents that resemble predators—or people—make sure to move them around as much as you can, at least once every other day. Birds will know if something hasn’t moved in a while and eventually will fail to register your deterrent as a threat.
Placing straw or mulch over your grass seeds isn’t the most effective way to protect your new grass, but it’s the most common. It’s cheap and easy to spread, and many DIYers can protect their seed with a few bales of hay or a truck bed full of mulch. The layer over your seeds can also help them germinate, as it creates a moisture barrier around the seed.
Instead of getting rid of birds, do your best to keep them away in the first place. This one depends on how well you get along with your neighbors and may be best for those with lots of land. Birds, due to their survival instinct, can get scared rather easily. If you don’t mind random loud noises like a cannon going off or a hawk screeching, consider installing a sound machine to protect your seedlings. For those who like their peace and quiet, windchimes might be enough to shoo birds away.
If you are concerned some of the other methods in this list won’t work, you may need to resort to sneakier tactics in order to protect your new lawn. If birds have a food option that never runs out, is easy to access, and tastes great, they’ll choose it every time. Hang two or three bird feeders at the edges of your growing area. You can even bird watch if you like while your grass quietly grows without issue.
Sometimes, repellent is coated on your seeds. Other times, you’ll need to purchase the liquid and spread it yourself. It’s important to note that bird repellent isn’t poison. It just makes the seeds unappetizing. Think of it like this: If your favorite food was suddenly extremely bitter, would you still eat it? Our guess is probably not, so seeds coated with bird repellent can be an excellent secondary method of keeping them from being eaten.
You can remove an inactive bird’s nest on your own as long as you can safely access it. Just wear protective clothing, including gloves, and keep a plastic bag on hand for disposal. Don’t try to remove an active nest on your own, though, which is illegal following the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (as long as the birds are native).
Some spray bird repellents are safe for human, pet, and bird use. Birds also cannot stand peppermint oil or anything spicy, like chili oil and cayenne pepper. Some say that birds dislike the feel of baking soda on their feet, but it isn’t realistic to cover your lawn with baking soda. Bird repellents use strong scents to keep the animals away and should be removed once your lawn has grown past the seed stage.
You should also never attempt to remove an actual bird on your own. This is a job for a professional who knows the proper methods to get the job done and is aware of local statutes and regulations regarding wildlife removal. Many species are protected throughout the year, and others are protected during nesting season. In other words, hire a pro to remove a live bird or a family of birds. They’ll take appropriate steps to save your precious grass seed without violating bird protection laws.
Removing a bird costs anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on the type of bird and how accessible the animal is. Removing a bird nest costs a bit more at $600 on average. The cost to remove a bird fluctuates for a number of reasons. If it’s a protected species or an uncommon species, that’ll raise the price. It’ll also be more expensive if the bird is located in an inaccessible area, like near the top of a tall tree.
You can find a variety of humane bird repellent sprays online and at home improvement stores. However, if you want to try a DIY method that will keep birds away without harming them, mix some water, dish soap, and a few drops of peppermint oil and spray the area you want bird-free. Peppermint oil is a notoriously lovely smell for humans, but birds tend to avoid it.
No single deterrent will work 100 percent of the time, so we suggest combining deterrents to ensure your seed has the best possible chance to grow. Using bird netting over your seed, with physical deterrents like mylar tape coupled with hanging bird feeders at the edges of your growing area—and removing any bird’s nests, if possible—will give your seeds the best possible chance for success.
Properly secured bird netting is the best option to cover your grass seed with. It creates a minor moisture barrier that can help seeds sprout, and it’s a great way to keep birds away from your seeds. A cheaper, lower-maintenance option is hay or mulch, but these can change the look of your lawn and require cleanup in the case of straw.
Birds eat grass seed for one simple reason—it’s delicious! The seeds are rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Seeds are also high in energy, so humans eat trail mix loaded with seeds and nuts for long-distance activities. Grass seed, when unprotected, is also exceptionally easy to access.
