Do you want a new lush green lawn that delivers a lovely green grass carpet but is worried you don’t know how to deter birds from eating your grass seeds?
Birds are one of the most attractive wildlife creatures that add to the beauty of our yards and surroundings. They serve an essential part of our ecology, and their mere presence aids the growth of plants and the natural world around us.
Birds can provide a problem if they eat what you’re trying to cultivate, particularly grass seed.
You can end up running in circles and spending unneeded money when you quickly spot the answer to do birds eat grass seed? Trying to keep birds from eating grass seed and your lawn safe can be a nightmare. (Learn How To Keep Birds Out Of Garden)
Birds are voracious eaters who gather grass seeds quickly. Once other birds spot a bird feeding in your yard, they rapidly flock.
Most grass types take 4 to 5 weeks to germinate, so you won’t have to spend too much time preventing birds from your lawn as the germination process can get underway.
Luckily, you can use our guide and find all ways to keep most birds away from your newly seeded lawn. In the end, it doesn’t matter how many hungry birds are around; you can find the best wild bird deterrents from fake predators to using other visual deterrents around your seeded area.
Will The Birds Eat All My Grass Seed?
When growing grass, sowing seed, and stopping birds, taking advantage of a free lunch until your seeds germinate can be the hardest challenge.
Here are some popular ways to protect your soil surface and prevent birds from eating grass seed.
Mulch
Try spreading down a small layer of straw mulch on top of the freshly sown grass seed area. Straw mulch performs well and is inexpensive.
However, you need to add this in the right way. Pack mulch too thick, and the newly planted seeds won’t get enough water or sunlight.
Also, make sure it isn’t a too-thin layer as birds may pick their way through the mulch. Last, consider the wind as straw can easily blow away.
Once your seeds have germinated, mulch needs removing to allow optimum growth and water absorption. Do this carefully by hand or using a rake.
Burlap Rolls
Burlap is an excellent alternative to straw to stop birds from eating grass seeds and has a few added perks. Burlap’s components allow water and sunshine to reach your seeds in the early stages of growth.
Birds will have a tough time picking their way through a burlap sheet covering, so they will be better protected. If you live in a region that gets a lot of wind, covering grass seed with burlap is a better option. (Learn How To Get Bird Out Of House)
To keep burlap sheets from blowing away, attach them to the ground with wire U pins or place heavy objects on the corners. Burlap costs more upfront, but it is reusable and takes less effort to remove after seed germination.
Bird Netting
Bird netting, like burlap, will protect grass seed from birds. Netting helps keep seeds from moving for grass seed, especially on slopes or places prone to erosion. But they can also help you get bird-proof your grass seed.
If you wish to use netting to protect grass seed from birds, you’ll need to stake it around the lawn to prevent birds from getting underneath.
Bird Repellent Grass Seed
Sowing bird repellent seed or extra grass seed may be all you need to keep birds from ruining your new lawn. Try to find bird-proof grass seed at your local garden center. You are allowing for bird nibbles when sowing grass seed (around 50% extra) often results in a lush turf. Sow the lawn in vertical and horizontal sections, as usual, using the extra seed.
The initial effort with bird repellent grass seed is minimal, but additional work may be required later.
Transparent Tarp
A transparent tarp or clear plastic covering can indeed be great for protecting grass seed from birds. The plastic’s texture, movement, and look scare birds; therefore, they avoid it.
Transparent tarps can help retain moisture while allowing sunshine. Check the tarp’s thickness is too heavy, and it could strangle the seedlings.
How To Scare Birds from Eating Grass Seed
While the above can prevent birds from getting to your seeds, here are methods you can use to scare wild birds from coming into your garden when you sow grass seeds.
Scaring birds away is a more aggressive strategy to preventing birds from eating grass seed, with the goal of completely removing birds from the area.
Decoys
You can utilize the fear of predatory creatures that birds have to your advantage. A visible decoy hawk or snake might deter birds away from your grass seed. Place the decoy in a visible spot so birds may see it from afar.
Birds are intelligent and will soon recognize the decoy as a threat, yet after a while, they may sense they aren’t moving and know they are a fake predator. To help avoid this, move them every few days until your grass seed germinates.
Rubber snakes on the ground or a hawk model on a fence may be enough to deter birds, yet also know when the birds are eating grass seed.
During the day, a fake hawk or snake can work better as the animals are hunting at this time. If the problem occurs at night, a decoy owl may be more useful. (Read How Long After Weed Killer Can I Plant Grass Seed)
Mylar Tape
Some homeowners use metallic Mylar tape for how to keep birds away from grass seed because it moves and flashes in the sunlight. As it moves, it will reflect light and make a noise to deter birds.
Together, the combination is enough to scare birds from the area. To use the Mylar tape, you need to put a few tall garden stakes around the area.
Typically, the poles are three feet tall, and you need to spread them six to seven feet apart. Tie the Mylar tape between each pole, and make sure it is long enough so it moves as the wind blows. Don’t tie the bird tape too tight, or it won’t move and won’t work to discourage birds.
Garden pinwheels can work if you have them scattered around.
Get Creative
Birds dislike items that shine and reflect the sun, as well as things that move and make a lot of noise. You can use anything that fits this description that you have lying around your house.
For example, if you have old CDs, tie a few of them together with a piece of twine and secure it to anything immobile in the vicinity of your grass seed. The CDs will be spun by the wind, generating a gleam from the sun.
CDs don’t make as much noise as some things, yet they can be as effective as bird tape, if not
more, because they are super reflective and move around quite a lot.
Make a deafening noise to deter birds from settling in noisy areas. Consider suspending tin cans from a piece of string or using wind chimes. Wind chimes are an attractive complement to any patio. Birds dislike them, although they make beautiful sounds with the breeze.
Aluminum tin pie pans can be fastened to poles or strings hanging between trees. You can also fasten pie pans made of aluminum to poles. They’re effective because they shine and generate noise as the wind blows them about. Almost any bird will be deterred from eating your bird seed by the sound and sight of the weather-resistant pans banging against each other.
Distract the Birds
Instead of eating the newly planted grass seed on the ground, birds eat from a bird feeder. Try placing a few bird feeders around the area to divert the birds’ attention away from your grass seed.
If you go this route, make sure you have plenty of birdseed on hand because birds will flock to an area where there is food if they know there is food available.
Depending on how many bird feeders you have and how long it takes for your grass seed to germinate, you may need to replenish the bird feeders daily with sunflower seeds or other favorites.
You may buy wooden ducks that move their wings in response to the breeze, although ducks are not a predator and may not be suitable for keeping birds away. (Read Does Grass Seed Go Bad)
Providing birds with something else to do is one of the most effective strategies to keep them from eating grass seeds. On the other side of your lawn, hang a couple of bird feeders. Bird feeders are attractive to birds, as are birdbaths, which is also a favorite.
