How to protect your garden without harming starlings
In June, fruits begin to ripen on trees and shrubs, quickly attracting starlings. Although these birds are beautiful and intelligent, they are often considered pests by gardeners since they can destroy a significant portion of crops. Here's 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, which start to ripen as early as June. This is when their activity in gardens significantly increases. So, how can you keep them away from your garden?
Starling – enemy or ally?
On one hand, starlings help control insect populations that can damage plants. On the other hand, their fondness for fruits can result in considerable crop losses. While starlings can be troublesome for gardeners, it's essential to remember that they are an integral part of the ecosystem.
By consuming larvae and insects, they 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, measures must be taken to ensure they are not harmed. Fortunately, there are several effective and safe methods to deter them.
Typical bird deterrents work perfectly and can be mounted near fruit trees and shrubs. It's also worth using old CDs, plastic bottles, or other objects that make sounds when moved by the wind.
One of the most effective solutions is to cover trees and shrubs with a special net available in gardening stores. Alternatively, using an old curtain can also work. These covers physically prevent birds from accessing the fruits.
