Topic: Pigeons

[mysticmog]

I have shredded cabbages, and assume it's pigeons (or slugs with exceptionally big mouths who are very untidy eaters.)  I realise I'm going to have to cover them but what with?  They're pretty big, and I can't find any frame type thing that's big enough...

Any ideas?  

I hear CD's on cotton hanging from trees freaks them out...does this work?

[sandersj89]

This is what I do:





Very simple construction, a post driven in at the end of each row. Attach  a small cross piece to each to form a T shape. Sun a string from ends of each T to support the net. Drap over the net and peg the edges down to the ground.

It has worked very well this year, no pigeon damage and has kept the butterflies away too. The net also helps support the plants, in this case brussels.

CD's can work though I do not use them. Wire or fishing line over the plants works well stopping the birds from landing. Also a bamboo cane driven into the ground and a black bin liner tied to it can work as well.

HTH

Jerry

[Mrs Ava]

I use the cd on string method, more to keep the birds away from new planted seeds.   Problem with the cd's, the jays and magpies dive bomb them and break the string!  

I have lots of recycled bits and pieces that I use to protect my brassicas, thanks to Ava, but I have Kales that are now 5 foot tall, so they are chancing it in the big wide world as I have nothing big enough to protect them!

[teresa]

I moved my canes with 2lt pop bottles to protect fruit and pidgons had 3 cabbages that will teach me.
EJ you could try tying the plastic bags you get at shop to the tops of your plants might work?
Teresa

[Mrs Ava]

Well, if they haven't been savaged when I get there in the morning, I will try that Teresa

[carloso]

Sanders old chap (just a saying)

where does one get that lovely netting from and is it at a reasonable price ???

most imterested

carl

[sandersj89]

Carl

I buy my netting by the meter from Kays Horticulture Supplies.

There web site is:

http://www.kayshorticulture.com/

Might be easier to call them as their on line catalogue is not the most user friendly. Prices are fairly competitive though might be worth a look in Wilkinsons if you have one near. Not sure if the size of rolls they supply would be big enough though.

HTH

Jerry

[carloso]

Cheers Jerry


i see what you mean lol, Mind you if it keeps the prices cheap who cares eh !

carl

[teresa]

The pound shops have netting may have to ask for it now.
garden centers do it some even by the foot but you pay full price.

Or vidio tape tied to garden canes across the lottie make sure you have a couple of twists in it to hum.

Or net curtiains from charity shops lookfor the long lenghs.

Pop bottles on sticks and cd's even make your own scarcrow havent tried the last one.

[trucker_al]

I find a shot gun works well ;D

no only kidding tried a cut out of a hawk on a long cane once and that seemed to work

[teresa]

Oh mum did that a couple of potatoes and phesent feathers for the wings on a piece of string suspended from a cane.
She thought it would frighten the phesents off her runner beans.
Looked good and fun to do did it once on last lottie years ago did work but a pidgon was injured and landed on my lottie cost me a couple of pound took it to a rescue place to recover.
Yep so it could come back again with family.
The old saying swings and roundabouts comes to mind.