Are you planning to replace your grass to have a beautiful lawn? One of the problems you are sure to face is having birds eat the grass seed. Birds love eating seeds, so when they see a spot with them, they aren’t going to leave.
The best thing you can do is to prevent them from seeing the seeds in the first place. Ultimately, birds eat quickly, so they aren’t going to let the grass germinate. On top of that, other birds see them feeding on the seeds and join in.
You might think sowing seeds is fruitless. However, these tips can help you keep the birds away so that the grass seed sprouts.
Mulch is so helpful because it keeps the soil moist. Plus, it prevents weeds from developing and growing. It’s going to ensure that the grass seeds have time to germinate and do it effectively. On top of that, mulch can be highly effective against birds.
Make sure you choose the right mulch so that there aren’t any weed seeds in it. Most landscaping stores have it available. Scatter thinner layers over the grass seeds, but make sure that 75 percent or more of the soil is covered.
Once the grass seeds germinate, you can keep the mulch in place or remove it. We recommend getting rid of it so that the grass can grow lush and full.
2. Fake Predators
Using fake predators is a great way to deter birds from eating the grass seed. It works well and has been used by lawn care professionals for many decades. Ultimately, the seed eaters aren’t going to land on the ground if there’s a fake predator there.
Birds don’t like to be in areas where there are natural predators. It scares them and makes them think twice about landing. Even if there’s an incredibly tasty morsel, the bird stays away.
Fake owls, rubber snakes, and hawks work well here. However, you should change the position of these faux predators regularly so that the birds don’t realize they’re not real. You can also buy various fake models and switch them out periodically.
Some manufacturers have moving bird deterrents. Just turn them on and let them scare away the birds.
3. Decoy Feeder
Seeds have to go through a lot to grow, and most birds look for easy-to-peck seeds. Therefore, it’s easy to lure them away from the grass seed with a decoy feeder.
Make sure that this decoy feeder is far away from the grass seed. If it gets a lot of action, birds may notice the ones on the ground and go for them instead. It might be better to use this method in conjunction with noise deterrents, mulch, or burlap sheets.
Another idea within this realm is to get a birdbath. Birds love playing in the water and are less likely to notice your seeds on the ground. It’s best to keep the birdbath and feeder away from the freshly seeded areas.
Also, you should refill the birdbath and feeders as needed. That way, the birds always have something else to do. Once the seeds sprout, you can get rid of the feeder and make the birds fend for themselves again.
4. Noise Deterrents
There are various types of noise deterrents on the market. They can all be used to keep the birds away from the garden or where you’ve sown grass seeds. The best thing is you don’t need specific sounds to scare away the birds.
Almost any sound can work. Plus, most of the noise deterrents you can buy are inaudible for humans. They work using ultrasonic waves, so you’re not bothered (and neither are the neighbors).
Essentially, these are noise tools for birds that don’t bother humans. The lawn stays safe, away from the pecking birds.
If you don’t want to buy a noise deterrent, you can make one. Tie some tin or aluminum cans to posts, and the banging keeps the hungry birds away. This only works in windy conditions, though!
5. Burlap Sheets
Burlap is a great choice for your lawn. It lets the water get through to the ground. Plus, light and heat reach the soil, too.
Grass seeds are like any other seed out there. They need the right conditions for heat, water, and light to grow naturally and strongly.
They can’t do that if any of those elements are removed from the area. Burlap sheets are a great alternative to straw or mulch. Plus, they work well for windy locations because the seeds can’t get scattered by the wind.
High winds can easily blow away straw or mulch. That means the grass seeds are defenseless against the pesky birds. If the area you’ve seeded is in a windy position, burlap sheets are the best choice.
Make sure that you’ve anchored the sheet edges. You can do this easily with U-pin wires. When the grass seed germinates, simply remove the sheets.
6. Straw
Before you focus on a particular cover, you should rake the seeds so that they’re 1/8-inch underneath the soil. That gives them some natural protection. Plus, you don’t have to do as much to keep the birds from eating the seeds.
When you use straw, make sure that it’s loose and light. Hay also works well here. Ultimately, you want to let in some water and light while keeping the birds at bay.
Scatter the mulch in a way to see about 25 percent of the soil. It’s best to go with a thin layer and put it right over the newly raked seeds. Make sure the straw layer stays on the seeds until they start germinating.
Once that happens, you can remove the straw carefully. As the new sprouts grow, take away the straw so the grass can get enough sunlight.
7. Reflective Scare Tape
Reflective scare tape is another excellent method to use. It’s going to keep the birds from eating the grass seeds.
When the birds see the reflective tapes, they stay far away from them. Mylar tapes work well because they move around like a flashlight. That way, the birds are scared.
It also works on pigeons, blackbirds, and geese! Just make sure that the tapes are fixed on well. That way, they stay in the right position and don’t fall off.
You can choose to hang the tape on trees or posts near the sown seeds. If you don’t have either of these in the yard, you can put some small stakes or posts around the area that’s been seeded.
Ultimately, it’s a good idea to tie them well but not tightly. That way, they move around and also make a bit of noise!
8. Bird Repellent
You can find bird repellent seeds at the store. When you sow those along with the seeds, it keeps the birds away. They have a bad taste to them, so the birds are discouraged from eating the grass seeds.
In a sense, they remember what that taste was like. That means they don’t come back! It can take a few days to work its magic, though, so be patient.
9. Sow More Seeds
While it sounds counterproductive, you can sow more seeds. It doesn’t matter how well you protect the seeds. There are going to be some clever birds, high winds, and other problems. Sometimes, the seeds rot before they can germinate.
You may try mixing your normal grass seed with bird-proof options. That way, the birds don’t want to eat it, and you’ve got one less thing to worry about.
10. Lawn Netting
Covering the grass seed is the easiest way to keep birds away. You should have raked the seeds into the topsoil lightly. Now you can cover them with grass seed netting, floating seed covers, and more.
When the grass starts growing, you can remove the lawn netting. Also, it protects the area if there are windy conditions. Just make sure that you anchor it down so that it doesn’t fly away, too.
Typically, the nets are made of polyurethane and are lightweight. They aren’t going to develop mold and can’t conduct electricity. Plus, they aren’t going to absorb pesticides or chemicals that you regularly spray on plants.
These seed covers are quite fine and light. Lay them directly on the seeds. It might be best to raise the net 1 to 2 inches from the ground. That way, birds can’t peck through and grab a seed.
Conclusion
Birds naturally love seeds, so they look for them everywhere. If you’ve just sown grass seeds on the lawn, it’s easy pickings for them. Don’t be alarmed if they try to eat the seeds because that’s what they do.
However, it means that you’ve wasted all that time and money to sow new grass seeds. Instead, you should use one of these tips to prevent birds from eating the seeds. We recommend trying more than one method.
For example, you may want to use mulch with fake decoys or noise repellents. That way, the birds can’t easily get the seeds and are also scared away.
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