Bird Problem

[Fert1]

One of my bigger green tomatoes looks like a bird pecked it a couple of times. I've never had them go after green tomatoes. It's rare they even bother my ripe tomatoes. Has anyone else ever had that happen?

[SaberTooth]

I have had that happen to my tomatoes here at the house with ripening red ones. A little bit of bird netting from either Lowe's or Home Depot should do the trick.

[ContainerTed]

Originally Posted by Fert1

One of my bigger green tomatoes looks like a bird pecked it a couple of times. I've never had them go after green tomatoes. It's rare they even bother my ripe tomatoes. Has anyone else ever had that happen?

Check for missing/eaten foliage. It's warm enough here in the southeast for the Hawk Moth to be prowling. That would mean that there's a possibility of seeing a "nasty ol' hornworm". As well as devouring foliage, they will eat into green tomatoes and peppers leaving holes that some folks mistage for bird pecks.

Ted

[frankkj]

Always had a few pecked tomatoes in the early part of the season, but this year they are getting them at first blush. Also, have an increase in the number of Mocking Birds visiting the garden. I think I am going to put out a bird feeder and bath on the other side of the yard and see if that helps.

Already had the 1st round of hornworms about a week ago. Waiting for round two.

Frank

[cloz]

Originally Posted by frankkj

I think I am going to put out a bird feeder and bath on the other side of the yard and see if that helps.
k

I have a birdbath and bird feeder within 30 feet of the garden and it does absolutely no good. Catbirds, mockingbirds, chipmunks and squirrels all compete with me for the harvest. The solution is lead for the squirrels and my cat takes the chipmunks (can't get her to take birds, maybe because we have a small pet parrot) Birds eat the black and red currants.

[WVTomatoMan]

Nope never had a bird go after a green tomato. But, I've never had a blackbird peck the growing tips off tomato plants either and that happened to someone that lives closeby. Because of it being rare you might want to make sure it's bird damage.

Good luck.

Randy

[mwancho]

The birds have been loving my partially-ripe-but-mostly-still-green apricots. Had to net the few I care to save early, about a week and a half ago. They probably have another 3 or 4 days until fully ripe.

They also got my first nearly ripe Roma. I was going to leave it on the vine for another day or so. I've now draped bird netting over the entire crop. I think they're going after my squash too.

I blame it all on this drought we're going through. That, in combination with the big freeze last February which probably narrowed the birds' options for food.

--
Mark

[Elliot]

We have a bird feeder and bird watering station near our tomato plants. Rarely will they choose tomatoes over a two lb fill of good bird seed and fresh water.

Elliot

[rfonte649]

I keep a couple of rubber snakes (toy dept) in my tomato patch. Also use some cd;s no not for music. Glue a couple together, shiny part out, drill a small hole near the edge, and put monofiliment fishing line through the hole and tie near the top of the cage. A swivel near the cd will help it turn when the wind blows. Also works on the patio and when you are camping. Keeps the flies away.

[stoopeechee]

I'll second the CD's

Also I have two full sized turkey decoy's I use for hunting, and an owl decoy. It sure seems to help

[AZRuss]

Birds... last year they were plentiful and particularly fearless, and yes, they pecked all the tomatoes, green included. This year, $5 dupont bird netting from lowes solved the problem. Birds hate that stuff, and I instantly understood why when I got my own fingers tangled up in it. It would be death to a bird. I just drape it over the cages. Of course, I have a small garden where this can work well. So nice to be able to let tomatoes ripen fully on the vine this year. Zero pecks.

[TOSWALD]

I COVER MY RIPENING TOMATOES WITH A PIECE OF WAX PAPER. SEEMS TO DO THE TRICK WELL. BUT CAN BE A LOT OF WORK IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TOMATOES. STILL THOUGH, AFTER ALL THE WORK I PUT INTO MY GARDEN, PREPPING, TILLING, FERTILIZING, WATERING, ETC
- IT'S JUST ANOTHER THING TO DO. NOTHING WORSE THAN PUTTING IN ALL THAT HARD WORK AND FINALLY SEEING YOUR TOMATOES RIPEN - THEN TO FIND OUT A BIRD HAS PECKED ON IT

[mwancho]

I used to love mockingbirds, but after they got up under the netting and pecked at my biggest ripe tomato, I'm beginning to loathe them...

[cloz]

A pellet gun ought to take care of the birds.

[mwancho]

Originally Posted by cloz

A pellet gun ought to take care of the birds.

If it wasn't the state bird and pretty illegal to do so, I might consider that idea. I'll try other means -- rubber snakes, CD's tied to fishing string, wax paper/pantyhose, picking early, etc. They may be winning this battle, but they will not win the war!