Hanging or potted ferns are popular for adding lush greenery to porches and patios. The dense, layered fronds, especially those of the Boston fern, create a naturally sheltered, camouflaged environment highly appealing to nesting birds. This structural appeal, combined with the safety of an elevated position, makes the hanging basket an ideal nursery. Deterring birds requires proactive intervention before the nesting process is complete.
Understanding the Legal Window for Intervention
Federal law protects most native birds and their nests, making the timing of intervention a serious consideration. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) makes it unlawful to disturb, destroy, or remove any nest containing eggs or young birds. This protection extends to nearly all native species in the United States, severely limiting removal options once an active nest is established.
Intervention must occur during the scouting phase, before the female begins laying eggs. It is best to act before any materials are gathered, although the MBTA does not prohibit destroying an inactive nest. Since nesting seasons often begin in early spring, installing deterrents beforehand ensures compliance while protecting your plants. Once you observe birds actively building or sitting on a nest, you must wait until the young have fledged and the nest is completely abandoned before taking action.
Physical Methods for Blocking Access
The most direct way to prevent nesting is to physically eliminate the structural cavity birds seek for shelter. One effective strategy involves inserting thin, non-harmful barriers into the pot’s soil to make the surface unstable. Placing bamboo skewers, plastic forks, or specialized bird spikes point-up across the soil removes the flat landing area birds need to stabilize nest materials. The barriers must be dense enough so birds cannot push them aside or build a nest in the gaps.
Another effective physical barrier is surrounding the entire plant with fine-mesh bird netting. This netting can be draped over the fern and secured around the base of the basket, completely blocking a bird’s access to the dense fronds and the pot’s center. The mesh size should be small enough to prevent entry but large enough not to damage the plant’s growth. A similar approach involves securing chicken wire or hardware cloth just under the surface of the fern’s soil.
If the fern is a Boston fern or similar variety with a dense center, fill the void with lightweight, non-toxic materials. Crumpling aluminum foil and loosely stuffing it into the center removes the sheltered space where birds prefer to construct nests. This technique eliminates the deep, hollow space, forcing the scouting bird to look for a more suitable location elsewhere. These physical methods require early-season installation, as the barrier itself deters the bird from selecting the site.
Sensory and Environmental Deterrence
Non-physical methods focus on making the area feel unsafe or unstable, relying on visual cues and movement. Birds are easily startled by sudden, unpredictable movement and bright flashes of light, which suggests a threat. Hanging reflective materials near the fern, such as aluminum foil strips, old compact discs, or specialized tape, creates distracting flashes of light. The movement of pinwheels or metallic wind chimes placed near the hanging basket also introduces instability that birds instinctively avoid.
Using predator decoys, particularly those resembling owls or snakes, can be an effective visual deterrent. To remain effective, the decoy must be moved every few days to a different location or position. Birds quickly learn that a motionless object poses no actual threat, a process known as habituation, which renders the decoy useless after a short time.
Introducing strong, unfamiliar scents can discourage nesting, as birds have a heightened aversion to certain odors. Placing cotton balls saturated with potent scents like peppermint or citrus oil directly into the fern’s pot deters birds without being visible. The strong aromatic compounds overwhelm the birds’ senses, signaling that the location is not safe for raising young. Adjusting the fern’s location to an area with higher foot traffic or exposure can also make the site less attractive for a secretive nest.