Scare tape is new to the garden this season and I love it. It’s mylar tape that is silver on one side and red on the other. It’s strong and thin and very durable. This stuff is great. Birds fly over and don’t stop in for a visit. This may be the reason that I am the sole warrior in my War On Hornworms (WOH pronounced “whoa”.). That’s okay. I’m winning that war without the help of birds that want to be paid in produce. There may be more bugs than me; but I’m tenacious. 
Last year the birds flew in to sample strawberries, tomatoes, grapes, and peaches. It’s bad enough that they were helping themselves but couldn’t they at least finish off the piece of fruit they pecked at before moving on to something else? Really. This year they are staying away. Even parrots munching on my neighbor’s sunflowers don’t bother to enter the garden. Yet. 
Scare tape dangles from the grape arbor, the tomato supports, peach tree, and around the strawberries. The slightest breeze makes the tape move. The reflection of light and the crackling noise scares the birds away. Oh sure, I have garden kitties; but they’re semi retired and slowed down by arthritis and the hot weather.
The $5 per roll investment was a wise investment. If you can’t find it at your local hardware store it’s available online.
FYI – for everyone wanting the hot weather of summer to get here…thanks. Thanks ever so much. Your wish has been granted. It’s here and it’s here pretty good. As I was coming inside this evening my vision was blurred by the waves of heat; but I was able to see it was a hellish 90 degrees. Swamp pants central here. Come on October.
16 comments:
What a great idea... so glad you shared!
Got some bad news for you, the birds get used to the tape! I've found only netting keeps birds off ripe fruit. However, until the fruit is ripe, my birds are keeping them bug free, so I don't begrudge them a few tastes.
Oh, I never heard of this before. Wish I had. I could have used it to save my sunflowers from destruction by squirrels. I guess we had about a dozen coming up nicely and now we only have two left standing. ARGGH!
I haven't heard of scare tape before but it is a great idea. Your tomatoes look great too.
Great idea. I've seen people use cd's too (hanging them) They move to the slightest breeze and shimmer - scaring things away. I think I'd prefer to look at this in the garden more though.
The scare tape gives your garden a party atmosphere! I may need to invest in a roll or two or three. My strawberry patch has been draped with deer netting to keep the birds out .. so far so good. But for the raspberries, this might be a better fit as the thorns make for tricky removal of the netting. Anything in your bag of 'trick' to keep deer and moose out of my yard ;) And ... sorry to have wished for the warm weather .. but I just had to!
*Lisa: For some reason your comment is not showing up here regarding birds getting used to scare tape. I'm hoping that Bakersfield birds aren't smart enough to figure it out. Beware. They may migrate north to friendlier turf.
*Mrs: No deer or moose in my neighborhood. If that ever happens I will post the event here.
*Junk: My garden was rid of squirrels years ago with encroaching development, hunting cats, and playful dogs.
Mystery - When I posted my 9:40 comment, Lisa Paul's comment appeared. Blogging gremlins must me at work.
i may try this for the deer and it is rather festive as well!
I love the grape background!
I generally stay inside most of July and August because I can not tolerate the heat. Bleh!
That tape is pretty and practical. Too bad it won't work on slugs.
*Sylvana: I understand that copper tape works on slugs and snails.
I should try this stuff on my plums and grapes. And also the CDs, Like And Sow My Garden comments.
It's pretty, too. Looks like party streamers in the garden. Though I kind of depend on my birds as an integral part of the whole system, to tamp down on the insects since we attempt a no-kill (and certainly no chemical) philosophy in the garden. :) I'm sure I'd change my mind if I were growing grapes!
It's my first time here and I love your blog design.
*Meredith: No kill? Not even caterpillars? Not even grasshoppers? I don't use chemicals. I just use my gloved hands and Croc covered feet.
*Aunt: Please please please take photos and post if you use CDs. I would love to see that!
Love the tape idea! I'm bringing that advice to my fellow sailors plagued by bird visits (after feeding, the birds poop on the deck and then the poop gets sun-baked). CDs work and horrible little plastic bags hanging around work as well. The key may be to "change it up" once in awhile to stay one hop ahead of the birds.
Mrs. Mac: I understand you can purchase "dried blood" which can be scattered about the garden and deer don't like the smell of death. Neither do I... Might be worth checking into.
Snails suffer pain and death upon crossing crushed eggshells. Easy enough to grab a bunch of those from your local diner. Bake them in the oven if you have any issue of egg goop attracting new types of insects.
And Maybelline, I feel your hot, sweaty pain on the heat. At least your CA air is dry. In the Northeast, we are in for another hazy, hot and humid day. Ugh, it hurts to move through the air. Plus, we get Air Quality Aleart days due to ozone. Yep, I'm going to water my plants and spend the afternoon indoors today.
Indoors and looking at my fabulous garden...
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