Yet again birds devoured all of my grapes before they will fully ripe and I could enjoy them.
What is the best way to stop birds from getting my grapes in a small scale back yard where I have grapes trained along a fence?
Ive read some people paper bag the clusters, but paper bags outside in rain wouldnt work well to me.
Others put netting all over their vines entirely, this may be an option for me, but Ive got other plants and trees nearby and intertwined and it may not fully work.
I would think a nylon, or other synthetic material, mesh bag would work, but have been unable to find a source for such a bag (grape cluster sized anyways).
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Yes, you can use this method on other fruits. Stone fruits and pome fruits can be covered with the bags and stapled. It takes some getting used to because stone fruits have shorter stems than apples and pears, but it works Stone fruits can be tested for ripeness without slitting the bag because you can feel when they start to soften through the bag itself. Though it requires some cutting to inspect the apples and pears, it’s a quick process and far more fulfilling than having a basket full of fruits damaged by birds.
If you choose to use netting, make sure the mesh is the right size. A ¾” mesh will deter most birds, but a ½” mesh will be more effective against our smaller birds. Installing T’s made of PVC pipe or 2×2 lumber that stand OVER the vines is also the best option because it allows the netting to be draped over the T’s where it won’t tangle with the vines. And make sure to remove it immediately after harvest. The nets serve no purpose other than protecting fruit. The process of getting rid of them can become more challenging if you leave it for even a few days or a week.
Shiny metallic tape and spinning pie pans are often recommended. However, the moment the birds realize they pose no real threat, they take care of themselves. I haven’t found that they are very effective for grapes. For me, there is no way to have water-spraying or noisy mechanisms in the garden because they disturb its tranquility. Furthermore, a lot of us use grapes in various parts of our landscape, so we would need a lot of devices to cover them all.
To install the bags you will need a stapler. It is simpler if you can find one with a narrow nose, but any hand stapler will work. Simply slide the bag over the cluster until the bag’s upper edge touches the cluster’s stem. Stapled one side of the bag near the stem in the center. Staple the opposite side after squeezing the stapled edge firmly against the stem. That’s it. You’d be shocked at how fast you can gather up every cluster. Two people working together can do a vine in minutes. After you’ve bagged every cluster, your vine will resemble a row of luminarias that you’ve hung.
Although you can’t see through the bags to observe ripening, you can make a slit in the bag and staple it shut to check for ripeness. You can begin inspecting the remaining clusters as soon as one appears ripe, so you won’t need to check every cluster. A small cluster can also be left unchecked to serve as a warning cluster for when to begin checking.
Once more, all of my grapes were eaten by birds before they were fully ripe and I could enjoy them.
In a small backyard with trained grapes along a fence, what is the best way to prevent birds from getting to my grapes?
Others completely cover their vines with netting; I could try this, but it might not work because of the nearby, entwined plants and trees.
I would think a mesh bag made of nylon or another synthetic material would work, but I haven’t been able to locate a source for one that is grape cluster sized.
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FAQ
What is the best bird deterrent for grapes?
How do wineries protect grapes from birds?
How do I keep animals from eating my grapes?
What netting protects grapes from birds?