A simple, cheap, and quick way to keep birds away from figs is to cover them with organza mesh bags!
Drawstring bags are a great way to keep birds away from figs; it’s easier to bag the figs than to put a net over the tree.
That way, we don’t need a ladder to get to all the fruits on the fig trees, which is an added bonus. We simply wrap each fig in a small, green, organza bag. Yes, that’s correct, we cover our figs individually. It’s worth it! Before you say, “That’s too much trouble!” or “I have better things to do. ”, think about how nice it would be to know your figs will stay clean and luscious.
Why we didn’t use nets: In the past, every summer in my garden in Southern California, I would get out the hockey sticks and bird netting to try to save my figs.
After that, it would take at least 30 minutes of unwrapping and moving to get the nets in the right place over the two trees. After getting one side perfect, I would discover the other side was too short.
Birds eventually found a way to get around bird nets from below. Birds are very skilled, and Japanese beetles can get through nets without any problems.
When you grab a fig out of pure joy, it’s not fun to quickly feel down when your finger hits a slimy beetle or bird-pecked hole in the fruit.
Netting can also catch birds and snakes. It is hard to free an animal, bird, or snake that is caught in a bird net. We know, we’ve tried it. The bird netting must be extremely tight to reduce the risks of creatures getting caught. It doesn’t matter how well the nylon webbing is put together; snakes and other animals will still be able to move around and through it.
Why a bird net might be useful: For very tall trees that bear a lot of figs, it might be easier to net the tree. Putting nets around the tree might be better if you need a ladder to get to the fruit.
We prune our trees so that the fruit is at a height where people can reach it. The organza bags are the best way to keep birds away from the figs.
An organza bag can be wrapped around a fig in three seconds. Let’s add five more seconds to find the next fig. If it only takes 8 seconds to bag one fig, it might not take you 15 minutes to bag 100!
Organza bags are good at keeping figs safe. There’s nothing better than a fresh fig! I want one so badly that I won’t give any to the birds or beetles.
My family is thrilled. We had more than 20%20figs on one tree last season (2022), and the birds didn’t eat a single one! 100% success! This year (2023), we have over 15%20figs on a tree that is about as tall as I am, with one branch that took off a few feet higher.
Putting the bagged figs on the counter until we’re ready to eat them is also a good idea.
As a fig grower I know how frustrating it can be to nurture your fig trees all season only to have birds swoop in and steal your ripe fruit right before harvest. Figs are like candy to birds with their sweet jammy flesh. And fig trees often grow tall and open, making the fruits easy targets for birds to pick off.
Losing some figs to birds is usually inevitable. But there are ways you can dramatically reduce bird damage to your crop if you take action early in the season. In this article, I’ll share the most effective methods I’ve found for protecting figs from birds after years of experimenting.
Physical Barriers Are The Best Protection
The single most effective way to stop birds from stealing your figs is to physically block them from getting to the fruits in the first place. While there are high-tech deterrents like noisemakers and lasers, I’ve found simple physical barriers do the job much better for a fraction of the cost.
Here are two types of physical barriers that have worked incredibly well for me:
Bird Netting
Bird netting is exactly what it sounds like – a lightweight plastic or nylon netting that is draped over your fig trees to form a protective barrier. It creates an impenetrable web that birds can’t get through.
Bird netting is my top recommendation for most fig growers. It’s affordable, reusable, and easy to install. I use a 7/8″ mesh size which allows great sunlight penetration while being small enough that even small birds can’t get through.
Here are some tips for using bird netting effectively:
-
Wait until after your tree has leafed out in spring but before figs start ripening (usually May/June) to put up netting. This gives the netting more structure to drape over.
-
Measure the height and width of your tree’s canopy to determine how much netting you need. Add 1-2 ft on all sides to have enough slack.
-
Gently drape the netting over the canopy and gather the bottom around the trunk, securing with zip ties or twine. Make sure there are no gaps birds can sneak through.
-
For larger trees, build PVC pipe or wood pole frames to fully suspend the netting over your trees. This prevents net damage.
-
Take down netting after harvest in fall and store properly so you can reuse it for years.
Row Covers
Row covers are fabric sheets that you drape over rows of plants, forming a tent-like shelter. They let in sunlight, air, and water but create a protective barrier from pests. Row covers work great for espaliered or pruned fig trees trained to grow in a flat plane.
Benefits of using row covers include:
-
Available in various weights – a lightweight fabric is sufficient to stop birds but won’t abrasively rub against fruits.
-
Creates a protective microclimate that can reduce sun damage and heat stress.
-
Can be used over and over for years as long as cared for properly.
-
Provides protection from insects and other pests in addition to birds.
No matter which type of physical barrier you use, proper installation and maintenance is key to success. Take time to securely fasten the edges down so there are no openings for birds to sneak in. And check periodically for any tears or holes that need mending. A single small gap can give birds easy access.
Secondary Deterrents To Reinforce Physical Barriers
While physical barriers do the heavy lifting for bird protection, you can use secondary deterrents as extra reinforcement. Deterrents alone generally don’t work well, but they add another line of defense.
Here are some of the top deterrent options:
Scare tape – Shiny reflective ribbons that flutter in the breeze and scare away birds. Hang strands among your netted or covered trees. The reflection and movement frightens birds.
Fake predators – Lifelike plastic owls, hawks, and snakes can scare away birds. But they lose effectiveness over time as birds realize they’re fake. So move them around occasionally to look like new threats.
Noisemakers – Motion-activated devices that play predator cries, alarm calls, or other unpleasant noises. Place them near your trees to scare birds away. Just be mindful of neighbors if using in residential areas.
Liquid repellents – Non-toxic sprays made with methyl anthranilate or capsaicin that irritate birds’ trigeminal systems. Apply directly on fruits or nets. Reapply after rain.
Visual repellents – Predator eye spot balloons or old CD discs hung in trees. The eyes/reflections look like predators to birds and deter them from approaching.
The key with deterrents is being vigilant and varying your approach. Birds can become accustomed to any one tactic over time. So switch things up occasionally to keep them guessing. Using 2-3 different deterrents together works better than any single option.
Start Early For Best Success
No matter which protection methods you use, early prevention is vital for saving your figs from bird damage. Once birds discover your ripe fruits, they become much harder to deter. Begin implementing your chosen barriers and deterrents weeks before fruits start ripening.
Here are some tips for early season prevention:
-
Install physical barriers like netting or row covers over trees in late spring before figs start ripening.
-
Use noisemakers and visual repellents right after your fig tree finshes fruit set in early summer to preemptively scare birds away.
-
Monitor trees daily as fruits ripen and take action at the first sign of birds scoping out your crop. Reapply deterrents or reinforce barriers as needed.
-
Pick figs as soon as they ripen rather than leaving them on the trees too long. Frequent harvesting alone deters birds simply by removing what they’re after.
By taking proactive measures to make your trees as bird-unfriendly as possible early on, you’ll minimize interest from birds during prime ripening season. The earlier you act, the better your chances of winning the battle.
Be Diligent With Protection in High Pressure Areas
If your fig trees are located in areas with lots of bird activity, be prepared to take extra precautions. Birds can be especially problematic near bodies of water, woodlands, or commercial farms where they congregate.
For high-pressure areas, use higher density netting or multiple physical barriers (like netting plus row covers). Overlap deterrents too – string multiple lines of scare tape, add more noisemakers, use both visual and sound repellents together.
Also monitor heavily and be prepared to quickly mend any gaps or holes in barriers that sneaky birds find. Be as diligent as possible and you can still succeed in keeping them away from your fruits.
Enjoy The Sweet Taste Of Victory Over Birds
Even with the best methods, some degree of fig loss is inevitable if you grow outdoors. But using proactive physical barriers and deterrents can reduce bird damage to only minor levels.
The satisfaction I get from plucking ripe, undamaged fruits straight from my protected trees makes all the effort worthwhile. I hope these tips will help you experience similar success guarding your precious figs against those pesky feathered thieves.
How to protect your fig trees from birds, revolutionary new idea
FAQ
How do fig trees protect themselves from predators?
How do you keep birds away from fig trees?
Plant herbs like basil, mint, or lavender near the fig trees. These aromatic plants emit strong scents that can confuse or repel birds, making them less likely to go after the figs. Consider planting taller companion plants, like sunflowers or corn, around the fig trees.
Are fig trees protected from birds?
Cold weather crop production is often disrupted due to hungry birds. Cold weather crops include potatoes, lettuce, avocados, figs and many more. Fig trees are common household plants that need protecting. Learn how to protect fig trees from birds using the following repellent methods.
Does cayenne pepper keep birds away from fig trees?
Cayenne pepper is a natural deterrent that can be used to keep birds away from your fig tree. Cayenne pepper is a hot pepper, and the capsaicin in cayenne pepper is unpleasant to birds. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper around the base of your fig tree, or you can mix cayenne pepper with water and spray it on the tree.
Do birds eat figs?
You don’t have to protect your figs if you don’t want to harvest the fig crop. Birds may do some damage to your fig trees while eating, but this damage is usually minimal. However, you’re unlikely to get any edible figs from a tree ravaged by birds. Birds will do little to no damage to the fig tree itself when they eat the fruit.