To a bird, all seeds are the same, particularly grass seeds. Do birds eat grass seeds? You might find your grass seeds eaten by granivorous species like pigeons, finches, and sparrows. Don’t feel sad. Honestly, there aren’t any grass seed birds would not eat. Birds cannot pass up free food when it is available, regardless of whether there are other food sources like berries or wild seeds.
Despite this, there are several ways to keep birds from eating grass seed. Keep reading to find out more about grass seed birds would not eat.
Table of Contents
How To Keep Birds From Eating Your Grass Seed
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Provide Another Food Source
Installing a bird feeder around your lawn may deter birds from eating your grass seed. The fact that it’s taller means that it may be noticed first, allowing them to come in and eat all they want without having to worry about your grass seed.
Place attractive snacks like almonds, fruits, and sunflower seeds in your bird feeder before you scatter your grass seeds to entice more birds.
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Always Tidy Up
Keeping your grass neat and tidy is a natural technique to keep birds away from it. If they can’t find anything to land on or hide in because there isn’t any cover or debris, they might start looking elsewhere for food.
Debris removal includes both large and tiny items, such as branches and stalks, dead leaves, fruit that has fallen to the ground, and spent flowers. As an added precaution, cover and relocate your rubbish containers.
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Use a Repellent Net Or Straw – Grass Seed Birds Would Not Eat
A dedicated bird net, mulch, or straw can make it more difficult for birds to get to the grass seed. Burlap, transparent tarps, and custom-made bird nettings are all viable options.
This method may be quicker, but you’ll have to deal with the mess left behind when the first grass blades grow. However, they are more difficult to put in place but can be utilized for seeding purposes exclusively.
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Decorate Your Lawn With Shiny Materials
Shiny things frighten birds because of the unexpected flash and the resulting fear that prey may be nearby. Pinwheels, bird scare tape, or a few CDs or DVDs that you no longer need can be used to your benefit.
Decoys like balloons and imitation predator figures can also be used to deter birds from eating grass seeds. Small speakers and wind chimes, among other options, can serve as sound deterrents to some extent.
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Add Some Extra Seed
If birds are nibbling on your grass seeds, you may prevent bare areas by simply adding extra seeds. You can plant more seeds in anticipation of birds eating some of your seeds as a natural occurrence. Once you’ve finished the initial seeding, you can add a few more seeds evenly about the yard. Equal if the birds arrive, your grass will be more even as a result of this technique.
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Install A Motion Active Sprinkler
Sprinkler systems that respond to movement are a time-saving and money-saving option. For starters, it sprays water anytime it detects movement in the vicinity, such as birds or small animals, and, secondly, it keeps your lawn well-hydrated without your involvement or involvement at all.
Even though motion-activated sprinklers are more expensive, they are an excellent source of additional water for your lawn during periods of drought or extreme heat.
Orbit 62000 Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler 3-Pack
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Choose Seed Coated With Bird Repellent
Birds are an issue for some grass seed customers, thus some companies provide seeds that have been treated with a bird repellent coating. You’ll find this information in the product description or on the packaging. If you combine it with other ways, it can serve as a deterrent, even if it isn’t fully perfect.
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Use Fake Owls Or Hawks – Grass Seed Birds Would Not Eat
An alternative that has proven effective for a long time is to use imitation predators to scare the birds away. If you set up a phony predator, seed eaters won’t come near your property or land on the ground. Because of this, scarecrows have proven to be extremely successful.
When birds spot their natural enemies in the vicinity, they quickly leave. They don’t give a hoot if the birdseed looks delicious. A rubber snake, stuffed owl, or hawk would all do the trick nicely.
If you want to keep the birds from becoming suspicious of the phony predator, make sure you move it around frequently. Make sure to swap the positions of the dummy models to maintain the authenticity of the birds’ environment.
If you’re looking for a bird deterrent that appears realistic, consider the Bird Barrier Rotating Owl Bird Deterrent. This model’s realistic features are enhanced by its moveable head. You may rest assured that the birds won’t be able to get at your seeds.
Read more on Hawks here: The Different Types Of Hawks In Virginia
8. Cover The Seed With Straw
Raking your seeds down to a depth of up to an eighth of an inch before applying a cover is recommended. It will act as a natural covering for the seeds, and you won’t need to take any other steps to prevent the seeds from being eaten by birds. In most cases, it’s preferable to leave some space open so the soils can continue to function as nature intended.
Use a fine, fluffy mulch instead of a heavy, dense one. In this case, hay or straw will work best. The seeds can get some light and moisture through the mulch. You should disperse the mulch such that about a quarter of the soil is still visible. One of the oldest ways to keep birds from eating freshly raked seeds is to place a thin layer of straw directly on top of the seeds.
Keep the layer on top of the seeds until germination begins, at which point you can remove it. It’s important to remove the straw once the new sprouts appear, as they’ll need direct sunshine to thrive.
Conclusion On Grass Seed Birds Would Not Eat
It’s wonderful to relax on a grassy lawn, but if you’re starting from scratch, it’s crucial to keep the seeds safe during germination.
There is obviously a grass seed birds would not eat, yes, there are definitely bird-resistant grass seeds, which could help.
It should be easy to prevent birds from eating your seeds if you follow the tips above.
FAQ’s
Will birds eat grass seed with fertilizer?
Birds are less likely to eat grass seed that has fertilizer all over it. The chemicals are not safe for birds, and they can sense that, thus avoiding those seeds.
How do I keep birds from eating my seeds?
Providing another food source, tidying up, and installing a sprinkler are among the options you have to prevent birds from eating your seeds.
