Dealing with Birds Nesting in Hanging Plants

Hanging baskets and planters are beautiful additions to any outdoor space Their cascading flowers and foliage create stunning displays on porches, patios, and balconies. However, their visibility and accessibility can also attract unwanted feathered visitors looking for a nesting spot Birds building nests and raising chicks in your hanging plants can quickly destroy your gorgeous arrangements.

If you’ve had issues with birds nesting in and damaging your hanging baskets, there are several effective deterrents you can try to politely encourage them to relocate

Why Birds Love Hanging Plants

Before diving into solutions, let’s look at why hanging planters seem to invite nesting birds:

• Visible location acts as an advertisement to scouting birds
• Easy access allows birds to quickly fly in and out
• Dense foliage provides shelter and seclusion
• Plant debris offers ready nest-building materials
• Height deters many predators

For residential birds like house sparrows and robins, your hanging plants check all the boxes for an ideal safe nesting spot to raise a family. Unfortunately for you, this can spell disaster for your once-gorgeous plantings.

Damage from Nesting Birds

Nesting birds don’t just take up residence in your planters, they can also cause significant damage:

• Plants stripped of leaves and stems for nest building
• Flowers and buds picked apart
• Pots tipped over or broken from activity
• Corrosion from excessive bird droppings
• Spread of mites, lice and other pests
• Risk of territorial aggression

Even a small nest started by a single bird couple can quickly escalate into a messy, destructive situation for your hanging garden. It’s best to take action at the first sign of nesting behavior.

Deterring Birds from Nesting

Here are some effective tips to deter birds from settling in to your hanging baskets:

Block Access Points

At planting time, lay sheets of flexible plastic or wire mesh over the soil to prevent access. Use a material that allows water to seep through. Make sure there are no gaps where birds can get in.

Use Predator Decoys

Place fake predators like rubber snakes, owls, or hawks near your planters. ReflectivePredator Eyes also deter birds Move decoys around occasionally so birds don’t get used to them.

Install Physical Barriers

Hang streamers, aluminium pie pans, or old CDs so they rustle in the breeze and startle birds. Also apply non-sticky bird repellent gels to ledges and plant stems.

Use Ultrasonic Repellers

Battery-powered ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds to irritate birds and drive them away. Place them near vulnerable hanging plants.

Apply Scent Repellents

Various smelly repellents formulated with methyl anthranilate, garlic, or capsaicin can discourage nesting. Reapply after rain. Exercise caution around consumable plants.

Scare with Noise & Movement

Use automotive motion-activated sprinklers or alarms to give birds a harmless but alarming scare. Also consider battery-operated noisemakers. Relocate regularly.

Limit Bird Access

Prune away lower branches or dense growth birds can hide in. For hanging plants, ensure they are well elevated with at least 3 feet clearance below. Limit ledges or footholds.

Remove Existing Nests Gently

Inspect plants frequently and remove just-started nests and eggs carefully. This prevents more complex nests from developing.

When Prevention Fails: Evicting Active Nests

If birds manage to establish an active nest in your hanging plants, it becomes illegal in many regions to remove nests with eggs or chicks. Your best option is prevention.

But if a nest is found, voicing your displeasure or poking around the nest will often compel parent birds to abandon it. Be extremely cautious not to damage eggs or chicks.

Once vacated, swiftly implement deterrents to prevent re-nesting. Accept that you may lose that basket this season. Remove new starts immediately before they mature.

Welcome Birds in Other Ways

Deterring nests from prized hanging plants doesn’t mean you can’t welcome birds to your yard. You have options:

• Install proper nest boxes and bird houses in appropriate spots

• Provide bird feeders and baths away from susceptible plants

• Let certain garden beds go a bit wild to provide bird habitat

• Plant pollinator-friendly native flowers and shrubs with berries

• Keep dead trees trimmed rather than removing them entirely

With some creative planning, you can enjoy bird life without sacrificing your hanging garden displays. Invest time into humane deterrents, and you’ll reap the rewards of lush hanging baskets that thrive all season long.