I have been using 'hanging C/Ds' to try to ward off the bl**dy pidgeons .
However, as last year, I placed a row along my french beans.
I forgot the same prob. that I had last year.
The sun - reflecting - without a breeze, singed the top 'delicate leaves'.
Live & learn eh?
I tried hanging CDs. Think the pigeons thought I'd just put a toy out for them to play with!!! Netting what i can now. Was thinking of trying one of those humming lines? The noise of the wind on this streched piece of string (?) is supposed to scare birds. Has anyone tried it? Lottie
I found the CD`s worked, wish I had remembered this year :(
Bloody magpies and jays use them as target practise on my plot! Rotten birds!! Netting rules, okay!
I've tried CD's and the pigeons just ignore them.
Hi Robert, :D
Try the Des O`Conner one you got for Christmas, works for me, ;D
Adrian.
Humming line a waste of time.
Use upturned small plastic water bottles on sticks. Works better.
12 bore or 4/10? - it may result in extra protien being available - apologies to any vegetarians
;)
Phil
Instead of CD's I use plastic bags, such as Tesco bags etc. I tie loads of them onto twiggy sticks or canes. So far so good.
Just play the buggers a max bygraves cd that should sort em !!!! ;D ;D
Or use them as frisbees...... :-\
My fave bird deterrent is a large rubber snake bought from a toy shop, moved around daily it scares the bejesus out of the birds and unsuspecting allotmenteers! ;)
Have to get me snake out then :-X
Have told Becky to wear raggy clothes cos she stands still often enough down the plot to be a lifesize(nearly)scarecrow :D
Quote from: westsussexlottie on June 23, 2005, 08:14:12Use upturned small plastic water bottles on sticks. Works better.
i do than AND tie two or three CDs to it which bang against the bottle. that has served me well so far. without looking too unsightly. but, i have also netted my most delicious cabbage plants.....
I have heard about the rubber snake trick, I understand yellow is most effective.
Humming line can work, use video tape. It's a lot cheaper than the overpriced commercial stuff!
I am tempted to ask what tune the humming line hums...but I daren't.
The guy next to me has used humming line and his cabbages (un-netted) are to die for.
Derek
I have done same as Christopher and tied some Tesco bags to some lines attached to sticks ::) ::)
My lettuces are untouched ! :D
How do you do the video tape humming line trick ?
You jest surely?
Which snake? I'm spoilt for choice at this site.
http://naturepavilion.com/snakes.htm
How do british birds know to be scared of snakes...... or kangaroos or elephants or anything alien to the UK. Some complex evolutionary memory or just a dislike for anything you can buy in joke shops.
I have an adder, which are still found uk the uk wild. I wouldn't go for a green snake as birds are blind to green, but then i always make that my snake is on a light background so that it stands out more, i also move it around daily so that the birds don't get used to it. don't ask me how it works, it just does, i've never netted fruit and only a minimum of gooseberry get stolen each year (i have strawberries, currants, blackberries, blueberries and cranberries!)
Quote from: Marianne on June 24, 2005, 21:10:17
I have done same as Christopher and tied some Tesco bags to some lines attached to sticks ::) ::)
My lettuces are untouched ! :D
Sainsbury's bags
AND CD's have worked wonders for me. Don't scare off slugs unfortunately....
I put CDs up when I planted my peas and also surrounded them with pea sticks. CDs came down the next day as I was worried they might scare the birds off the bird table (my garden is only small) and it was very distracting to me every time the sun caught one! I don't think the pigeons realise (touch wood) that peas, beets etc are yummy. Slugs, on the other hand...