Having birds munching away at your precious tomato plants can be one of the most frustrating experiences for a gardener. But don’t worry, there are some simple steps on how to keep birds away from tomato plants.
I’m here to help you out and give you some ideas of how to keep birds away from these precious plants of yours. From netting to sprays, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from and keep those pesky birds away.
Do Birds Eat Tomato Plants?
Yes, birds do eat tomato plants, but it depends on the species of bird. Some birds, such as robins and blackbirds, are known to feed on the tomatoes, leaves, and stems of a tomato plant. Other birds, like sparrows and finches, may also feed on the tomatoes but will also go after the seeds or the fruit itself.
Additionally, some birds like starlings and crows have been known to damage the tomato plants by pulling up the roots or eating the fruit.
How to Protect Tomato Plants From Birds
I’m sure you’ve been wondering how to protect your tomato plants from birds. Well, there are a few methods you can try. First, you can try bird netting for tomato plants. This will help to keep birds from eating your tomatoes off the vine.
You can also try using row covers, birdbaths, bird feeders, a scarecrow, or even shiny objects to distract birds. Fake predators, windchimes, and ripen off the vine can also help. These are all great ways to keep your tomatoes safe!
Read: How to Save a Dying Tomato Plant
Cages
Now that we know why birds are eating our tomato plants, let’s look at how to keep birds away from tomato plants. One way is to put a cage around your tomatoes. Not only do cages protect your tomatoes from being eaten, but they also provide a barrier that blocks out other pests, such as rabbits and deer.
Cages made from chicken wire or other materials can be used to keep birds away, while still allowing sunlight and air to reach the tomato plants. Additionally, cages can be moved from one tomato plant to another, making them a great option for gardeners who need to protect multiple plants.
Bird Netting
The other solution is bird netting. It’s a lightweight yet strong mesh, usually made of polypropylene or nylon, which is draped over the plants. The mesh has small holes that the birds can’t penetrate, yet it still allows light and air to reach the plants. Bird netting also comes in various sizes, shapes, and colors to best suit your needs.
Row Covers
Row covers are lightweight and permeable, so they’re not 100% effective in keeping birds away, but they’re a great option for protecting your plants from other pests and from the elements. They can also help your tomato plants ripen faster by keeping them warm.
To use row covers, just drape them over tomato plants and secure them with stakes. Make sure there’s enough space for the plants to get plenty of air and sunlight, and be sure to remove the covers when the plants start to flower so that pollinators can get in!
Birdbaths
Birdbaths are a great way to attract birds to a specific area of your garden, away from the tomato plants. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also provide a safe place for birds to drink, bathe and preen their feathers.
Plus, it’s a great way to help keep your garden’s insect population in check. Just make sure to keep the birdbath clean and filled with fresh water throughout the season.
Bird Feeders
Bird feeders can be a great way to distract birds away from your tomato plants. Fill the feeder with bird seed, suet, fruit, or even mealworms. Once you place the feeder in an area away from your tomato plants, the birds will be drawn to the feeder instead of your tomatoes.
If you decide to use a bird feeder, be sure to keep it full so that the birds will keep coming back. You should also clean it regularly, as unclean bird feeders can attract unwanted pests.
Scarecrow
Now, let’s talk about the most iconic way to protect your tomato plants from birds – the scarecrow! A scarecrow is a figure made of straw, wood, or fabric, with clothes and other items like hats and boots. It is traditionally set up in a field to scare away birds and other animals.
A scarecrow can be a creative and decorative way to protect your garden from birds. It won’t just keep birds away, but it can also give your garden a unique touch.
Shiny Things
To further protect your tomato plants from birds, you can also use shiny things. Reflective, shiny objects such as aluminum foil, pie tins, and even mylar balloons can be hung from branches to scare away birds. When the wind blows, the objects will move and catch the sunlight, scaring away any birds in the area.
You can also hang multiple objects at different heights to make the scare more effective. To make sure this method is effective, you should hang the shiny objects near your tomato plants and move them around regularly.
Fake Predators
Fake predators can serve as an effective deterrent to birds, as they will be less likely to enter your garden if they think they are in danger. If you make the fake predators look as realistic as possible, this can even be more effective.
Think about the type of predator birds would naturally be afraid of in your area, such as a fake hawk or owl, and then create a model of this creature. Place the fake predator near or even in the tomato plants, so that the birds will see it as soon as they enter the area.
Additionally, you can move the fake predator around the garden from time to time, as this can help keep the birds on their toes.
Windchimes
Wind chimes create a pleasant sound that can be calming for humans, but the noise can be startling to birds and can help keep them away. You can hang wind chimes around the perimeter of your garden or near your tomato plants to deter birds from eating the plants.
Additionally, wind chimes are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. You can even hang them in the same spot all year round, making them a great long-term solution for keeping birds away from your tomato plants.
Ripen Off the Vine
Let’s talk about one more way that may help: ripening off the vine. If the birds can’t get to the tomatoes before they become ripe, they won’t be able to eat them. To do this, pick the tomatoes when they are still green, then place them on a flat surface in a dark, dry place.
Make sure not to stack the tomatoes too close together; they need air circulation in order to ripen properly. As the tomatoes ripen, check on them every few days. If one of them is starting to get soft, give it a gentle squeeze and if it’s ripe, move it to the refrigerator.
