Hanging ferns are a popular choice for adding lush greenery to porches and patios, but their dense foliage and elevated position make them irresistible nesting spots for small birds like wrens and finches. Birds instinctively seek a protected location safe from ground predators and the elements, often finding the hanging basket’s structure perfectly suited for their needs. While the presence of wildlife can be charming, nesting birds can damage the fern’s fronds, prevent proper watering, and create a mess. The methods discussed here offer humane, non-lethal strategies to encourage birds to build their homes elsewhere.
Implementing Physical Exclusion Barriers
Physically blocking access to the fern’s core is an effective way to discourage nesting activity. Fine mesh bird netting, typically 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch, should be secured tightly around the entire hanging basket. This size prevents birds from entering without posing a risk of trapping them. The netting must be draped loosely over the foliage but secured around the basket’s rim and base to eliminate entry points.
Another strategy involves creating a physical deterrent on the surface of the soil itself. Birds require a stable, flat surface to land and begin constructing a nest. Weaving thin, clear fishing line or string across the top of the basket in a crisscross pattern makes the surface unstable and unappealing for landing. The lines should be spaced about two to three inches apart, forming a subtle grid that prevents the necessary foot placement for nest construction.
A similar physical barrier can be created by inserting small, blunt objects into the soil. Using wooden skewers, plastic forks (tines up), or toothpicks makes the soil surface uneven and uncomfortable for the bird to settle on. This modification interferes with the bird’s natural instinct to hollow out a depression for a nest, prompting them to search for a more suitable location.
Utilizing Visual and Reflective Scare Tactics
Birds rely heavily on sight and will naturally avoid areas that present sudden, unpredictable movement or bright, flashing light, which they interpret as a sign of danger. Deploying reflective materials near the fern creates a zone of visual disturbance that birds find confusing and threatening. Holographic flash tape, Mylar strips, or old compact discs hung near the fern will spin and flutter in the breeze, sending erratic light flashes in multiple directions.
These reflective items should be hung on the basket’s chain or nearby supports, ensuring they can move freely to maximize the visual effect. The constant, unpredictable motion and light are unsettling to birds, which seek calm environments for nesting. For a more direct scare tactic, predator decoys, such as plastic owls or rubber snakes, can also be placed on or near the plant.
Birds are intelligent and quickly become accustomed to stationary objects, realizing the perceived threat is harmless. To maintain the decoy’s effectiveness, the item must be moved frequently, ideally every few days, to prevent habituation. Moving the decoy or removing it entirely for a short period simulates a genuine, active predator, reinforcing the bird’s decision to avoid the area.
Modifying the Hanging Environment
Adjusting the fern’s structure and its immediate surroundings can reduce its attractiveness as a nesting site. Ferns, such as the popular Boston fern, appeal to birds due to their dense, protective canopy. By proactively pruning the plant to maintain a less bushy, more open structure, the perceived security of the location is diminished. Thinned fronds offer less concealment, making the plant less desirable as a shelter or nesting spot.
The location of the hanging fern can also be leveraged to deter birds. Birds prefer quiet, less-disturbed areas to raise their young. Moving the fern to a location with higher human traffic, such as closer to a frequently used door or a well-trafficked porch area, introduces a level of disturbance that birds avoid. The consistent presence of human activity makes the spot feel insecure for nesting.
The moisture level of the fern’s soil is another element that can be manipulated to discourage nest-building. Birds instinctively seek dry, stable materials for their nests, and they avoid damp soil. Maintaining a consistently moist surface layer in the hanging basket, achieved through regular watering, makes the soil substrate unsuitable for nest construction.
Finally, introducing instability to the hanging mechanism itself can be an effective deterrent. Birds seek a solid, unwavering base for their nest. Attaching the hanging basket to a swivel or a spinning hook allows the fern to rotate freely with the slightest breeze or touch. This constant, gentle movement creates an unstable environment that birds perceive as a risk to the safety of a future nest.