The appeal of sweet, ripe cherries to local birds is a common frustration for home gardeners and orchardists. Losing a significant portion of a harvest just as the fruit reaches peak ripeness makes proactive protection an annual necessity. Effective bird management requires a strategic, multi-layered approach that moves beyond simple scare tactics. These methods safeguard your cherry crop from the moment the fruit begins to color until harvest.
Protective Physical Barriers
Physical exclusion is the most effective method for protecting cherry trees from avian damage. Installing high-quality bird netting creates a barrier that prevents birds from accessing the fruit. The material should be UV-stabilized, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, designed to last multiple seasons without degrading in sunlight.
Mesh size is important for effective netting, as holes that are too large allow smaller birds like starlings or robins to pass through. A mesh size of 3/4-inch (19mm) is often recommended to block medium-sized fruit-eating birds while still allowing adequate airflow and light penetration. Finer meshes, such as 1/4-inch nylon, provide greater security but can be more difficult to handle on large trees.
The netting must be supported by a frame or poles so that it does not rest directly on the fruit-laden branches. If the netting touches the fruit, birds can simply peck through the mesh, defeating the barrier’s purpose. The net must be secured tightly around the trunk at the base to prevent birds from entering the canopy from below. The net should be deployed as soon as the cherries begin to show color, not after birds have already discovered the ripening crop.
Visual and Noise-Based Deterrents
Methods relying on scaring birds use visual or auditory stimuli to convince them a threat is present. Visual deterrents like reflective Mylar tape, old CDs, or aluminum pie plates work by flashing in the sunlight, creating a confusing and disorienting light pattern. Holographic flash tape combines movement with high reflectivity to provide a strong visual disturbance.
Decoy predators, such as plastic owls or inflatable hawk kites, can be temporarily effective, but their success relies on novelty. Birds quickly habituate to a stationary threat, recognizing it as harmless within a few days. To maintain the effect, visual deterrents must be moved to a different location on the tree every two to three days.
Auditory deterrents include sonic devices that broadcast distress calls or predator sounds. These bioacoustic repellers are more effective than random noise because they tap into a bird’s instinctual fear response. Propane cannons create a loud concussive blast for large operations, but they are often impractical or prohibited in residential settings due to noise ordinances. Combining visual flashing with auditory calls has a synergistic effect, increasing the longevity of the deterrent before birds become acclimated.
Taste Repellents and Cultural Practices
Taste repellents offer a non-lethal way to make the fruit unpalatable to birds. The most widely used compound is methyl anthranilate, derived from Concord grapes. This chemical functions as a sensory irritant, causing a temporary, unpleasant sensation in the birds’ trigeminal system when they attempt to feed.
Repellents are applied as a spray or fog and are safe for the cherries and the environment, leaving no detectable taste or odor for humans. These products are not permanent and require reapplication, especially after heavy rain, to maintain effectiveness on the exposed fruit. Follow manufacturer instructions to ensure continuous protection during the two-to-three-week ripening window.
Cultural Practices
Indirect methods focus on managing the environment or crop timing to reduce pressure. Planting early-ripening cherry varieties can allow for harvest before the peak migration or nesting season, when bird populations are at their highest. Another strategy is planting a less valuable, highly attractive “sacrificial” crop, such as certain varieties of berries, away from the cherry trees to divert feeding activity toward the alternative food source.