Gardening is a peaceful and relaxing pastime with many benefits. For some, it is a way to decompress and reconnect with nature. Others garden for the natural beauty that flowers and their aromas can bring to their life. Sometimes people garden to grow fruits and vegetables for their household that they can be sure are clean and organic. *This post contains affiliate and/or sponsored links.
No matter what the reason, your garden requires a lot of hard work. No one likes to wake up in the morning to find that birds have been munching on their fresh garden produce that have taken months to grow!
Even if you love birds and have planted a garden to attract humingbirds and other beautiful birds, an invasion of various other bird species such as geese can be a very dreadful situation.
An even bigger problem can be a sick bird in your garden. To solve this problem, you first need to understand why the birds are there and then how to prevent these birds from entering your garden in the first place.
- Reasons Birds Eat Gardens
If your garden is of the vegetable variety, then the birds are there for one obvious reason. They want to enjoy all of the fresh vegetables just as much as you do. The lush vegetation is also a prime meal for geese who have a strong affinity for tender leafy greens and delicate flowers.
Another reason you may find nuisance birds in your garden is the scarcity of food supply. Birds who are unable to find reliable sources of insects or other foods will enter the garden to seek nourishment. Although sometimes it may be less about hard to find foods and more about the easy access your garden provides.
- Which Types of Birds to Watch Out for In Gardens
Not all birds are destructive to gardens. Some species of birds are even beneficial to have around. Garden destroying insects such as snails and slugs are often tasty prey for some types of birds. There are a few types of birds that cause real problems, though.
- Geese in Your Garden
There are many reasons geese are troublesome for gardeners. First, they feast on both vegetables and flowers. Then they leave mountains of droppings behind every day. Worse still, they trample and destroy all of your most delicate plants without any hesitation.
- Sick Birds in Your Garden
The presence of sick birds in your garden is also very problematic. Once a bird contracts a sickness, it is usually impossible to cure. This is a real problem with birds who are carriers of trichomonas gallinae, a parasite that spreads rapidly among birds. This parasite is easily transmitted to other birds. It is also important to remember that while bird nests are beautiful, you should never handle them without gloves and it is best to call in a pest removal company to remove nests from any structures on your home. If you really like decorating with bird nests, you can always make a realistic faux nest with inexpensive craft materials.
- Protecting Your Garden
The presence of these birds does not mean doom for your garden, however. There are many things you can do to protect your garden from these destructive birds. An effective way to keep birds from eating your garden is to give them something else to eat. Try setting up a bird feeder where the birds can snack instead of in your precious plants.
One other tactic is to use barriers that prevent waddling geese from entering and setting up nests in your garden in the first place. Another, more creative, solution is to put a strand of monofilament fishing line above your plants. For some reason, birds have a real aversion to this material, especially if it is of a thicker variety.
Birds are especially fond of berries! You can also use bird netting over your raised garden beds.
Beautiful birds are a joy to find in any garden, but invasive or sick birds must be dealt with right away. Using any of these methods is a great way to stop geese and sick birds from setting up shop in your garden and destroying your hard work. Best of luck in keeping your garden a peaceful sanctuary!
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