North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

I have some bird repellents.  One's a Siamese, the other's a Tabby.  There
are foil strips, some with eye-like designs, that flutter and are supposed
to scare birds.  They need to be moved every few days so the birds don't get
used to them.  

You could also put a feeder in the yard.  In my experience, critters want
the easiest food, and a feeder full of seeds is pretty easy.  You may have
read me before advocating the carrot-and-stick approach.  Put bird repellant
foily-things in the tree to annoy the wee beasts, and a feeder to provide a
preferred choice.  I've always liked having finches in the yard.  Compared
to codling moth, they're a non-issue here in terms of apple production.

Stephen Sadler
USDA 9, AHS heat zone 8, 
Sacramento CA - Mediterranean climate


-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of akmanty
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 3:13 PM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [NAFEX] finches in apple trees

These "lovely" little birds are picking at the buds; probably won't 
blossom now, so no flowers left to be pollinated.  Anyone have similar 
experiences and what did they try?  I can't quite see netting these 
trees, but maybe that's the only way; never heard of a "bird repellent".
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