How to protect your garden from starling invasions
In June, fruits on trees and shrubs begin to ripen, quickly attracting starlings. Although they are beautiful and intelligent birds, gardeners often consider them pests since they can destroy a significant portion of the crops. We explain how to effectively and humanely deter starlings from your garden.
Starlings are omnivorous birds about the size of a blackbird. Their diet includes small insects and larvae, as well as seeds and fruits. They are particularly fond of cherries, sweet cherries, strawberries, currants, and other seasonal fruits that start to ripen in June. This is when their activity in gardens significantly increases. How can you keep them away from your garden?
Starling – enemy or ally?
On the one hand, starlings help reduce the population of insects that can harm plants. On the other hand, their fondness for fruit can lead to significant crop losses. Although starlings can be troublesome for gardeners, it is essential to remember that they are an integral part of the ecosystem.
By eating larvae and insects, they can also help protect plants. The best solution is not to fight them, but to deter them in a way that does not harm the birds and maintains balance in the garden.
How to deter starlings?
Since starlings are a protected species, they cannot be scared off in a way that could harm them. However, several effective and safe methods can deter them.
Typical bird deterrents are practical and can be easily fixed to fruit trees and shrubs. It's also worth using old CDs, plastic bottles, or other objects that will move and make sounds in the wind.
One of the most effective solutions is to cover trees and shrubs with a special net, which is available at gardening stores. Alternatively, you can use an old curtain. Such covers physically prevent birds from accessing the fruits.
