There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your strawberry patch get raided. You wait all season for those perfect red berries, only to find them half-eaten or gone. Learning how to protect strawberries from birds and squirrels is essential for any gardener who wants to enjoy their own harvest. The good news is, you don’t need complicated or expensive solutions.
This guide covers simple, effective methods that really work. We’ll look at physical barriers, harmless deterrents, and clever garden tricks. With a little effort, you can save your strawberries for your table.
How to Protect Strawberries from Birds and Squirrels
The most reliable strategy is to stop pests from reaching the fruit in the first place. Both birds and squirrels are persistent, so your defense needs to be too. Here are the top physical barriers that form your first line of defense.
1. Bird Netting: Your Best Defense
Bird netting is the most effective tool for protecting strawberries. It creates a physical barrier that keeps birds and often squirrels out.
* Choose the Right Net: Get netting with small holes (around 1/4 to 1/2 inch). This prevents birds from pecking through and keeps small birds from getting tangled.
* Support it Properly: Never drape netting directly over the plants. Birds will still peck through it, and it can damage the plants. Use hoops, stakes, or a simple frame to create a tent over your bed.
* Secure the Edges: This is crucial! Weigh down all edges with bricks, stones, or landscape staples. Squirrels are clever and will lift loose edges to sneak inside.
Remember to lift the netting carefully when you need to harvest or weed.
2. Build a Simple Strawberry Cage
For a more permanent solution, a cage is fantastic. You can build one using PVC pipes or wooden stakes and chicken wire.
1. Frame the bed with posts at each corner.
2. Stretch hardware cloth (a sturdy wire mesh) or chicken wire around the sides. Use 1/2-inch mesh for squirrels.
3. Create a removable top from a wood frame and wire mesh, or use bird netting on top for easier access.
A cage looks neat and provides season-long protection with minimal fuss.
3. Use Cloches or Row Covers
For smaller patches or individual plants, cloches are perfect. You can buy plastic or glass bell cloches, or make your own.
A DIY cloche is easy: cut the bottom off a large plastic jug or bottle and place it over a plant. Just remember to remove it on hot days so your plants don’t overheat. Floating row covers made of lightweight fabric can also deter pests while letting in light and water.
4. Try a Fruit Cage or Cold Frame
If you’re serious about growing strawberries, a walk-in fruit cage is a worthwhile investment. It protects from all sides and the top, allowing you to walk in and tend your plants. Similarly, a vented cold frame can be used in spring to protect developing fruit.
Scare Tactics and Deterrents
These methods work by making your garden seem scary or unpleasant to pests. They are most effective when used together and rotated regularly.
Visual Scares
Birds are wary of unexpected movement and shiny objects.
* Old CDs or Reflective Tape: Hang them near your plants. The flashing light and movement can scare birds away.
Predator Decoys: Plastic owls, snakes, or hawks can work—but you must move them every few days. Birds and squirrels are smart and will realize it’s a fake if it never moves.
* Pinwheels: The spinning motion and glitter are great visual distractions.
Auditory Deterrents
Sound can be a powerful tool, but be mindful of your neighbors.
* Wind Chimes: The random noises can make pests uneasy.
* Motion-Activated Devices: These can emit a high-frequency sound only animals hear, or a sudden burst of water. The spray from a motion-activated sprinkler is very effective against squirrels and birds.
Taste and Smell Repellents
You can make your strawberries taste or smell bad to pests—without affecting your harvest.
* Homemade Spray: Mix 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper with a little dish soap and a quart of water. Spray it on the leaves and fruit (not the flowers). Reapply after rain. The spicy taste deters mammals, but birds don’t taste capsaicin, so this is mainly for squirrels.
* Commercial Repellents: Look for products containing methyl anthranilate (a grape flavoring that birds hate) or thiram for mammals. Always follow the label instructions.
Garden Management Tricks
Sometimes, the best defense is a good strategy within your garden layout.
Plant More Than You Need
This is the simplest trick of all. Plant extra strawberry plants, knowing you’ll share some with wildlife. If you have a large harvest, losing a few berries won’t feel so bad.
Use Companion Planting
Some plants can help distract or repel pests. For example, planting alliums (like onions or garlic) nearby can mask the sweet scent of berries. Marigolds may help deter some pests with their smell. Consider planting a sacrificial crop, like a few sunflowers away from your patch, to draw squirrels elsewhere.
Keep the Area Clean
Remove overripe or fallen berries immediately. They attract pests to the area. Also, keep the ground around your plants clear of tall grass and debris where squirrels might hide.
Provide an Alternative Water Source
Birds often eat fruit for its water content. Placing a birdbath away from your strawberry patch might convince them to drink there instead of eating your berries.
Step-by-Step: Protecting Potted Strawberries
Potted strawberries on a patio or balcony need protection too. Here’s a quick plan:
1. Net Individual Pots: Use small pieces of bird netting, secured with a rubber band around the pot.
2. Use a Decorative Cage: Place a small, decorative wire cloche over the pot. They look nice and work well.
3. Hang Reflective Items: Since pots are often close to your house, hanging a few CDs or streamers is very easy and effective.
4. Elevate the Pots: Place pots on a high stand or table. This can sometimes put them out of easy reach for ground squirrels, though birds will still visit.
What Doesn’t Work (So You Save Time)
It’s just as important to know what to avoid. These methods often fail:
* Fake Scarecrows Alone: They become part of the scenery if not moved.
* Ultrasonic Repellers: Their effectiveness is debated, and they can affect pets.
* One-Type-Only Approach: Relying on just one method usually leads to failure. Pests adapt.
* Unsecured Netting: This is the #1 mistake. Loose netting is ineffective and can harm wildlife.
FAQ: Protecting Your Strawberry Harvest
Q: What is the cheapest way to keep birds off strawberries?
A: Using homemade reflective deterrents like old CDs or aluminum pie plates hung on string is very cost-effective. Properly secured bird netting is also a low-cost, high-return investment.
Q: How do I keep squirrels from digging in my strawberry pots?
A. Cover the soil surface with a layer of rough mulch (like pine cones or large bark chips) or place a piece of chicken wire flat over the soil (cut a hole for the plant stem). They don’t like the feel on their paws.
Q: Will aluminum foil keep squirrels away from strawberries?
A: It can help. Laying strips of foil around plants or making little foil pans under fruits can reflect light and create an unappealing surface. But it’s not a complete solution on it’s own.
Q: What is the best netting for strawberry plants?
A: Polyethylene netting with 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch mesh is ideal. Ensure it is UV-stabilized to last longer in the sun.
Q: Do fake owls work for keeping birds and squirrels away?
A: They can provide temporary relief, but their effect diminishes quickly if left in one place. Move your fake owl every two or three days to maintain the illusion of a real threat.
Protecting your strawberries requires a bit of persistence and often a combination of methods. Start with a well-secured physical barrier like netting or a cage, then add a moving deterrent for extra security. Pay attention to what works in your specific garden, and don’t be afraid to switch tactics. With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying full, ripe strawberries straight from your own plants.