Bird Control Guide for Cherry Orchards

Every year New Zealand growers lose millions of dollars in crops to pest birds and animals. 

For cherry growers it's estimated that up to 31% of the crop can be lost to birds. 

With adverse weather events occurring, the cost of labour, fuel and other commodities increasing, and export markets demanding bigger, better cherries, it is even more important to mitigate the loss of cherries to birds to maximise crop yields.

Fortunately there are a variety of methods available for protecting your cherries from those pesky hungry and thirsty birds.

Some common solutions below, each have their own advantages and disadvantages:

Bioacoustic - Bird Sound Deterrents:
These use a range of sounds to deter birds including: bird alarm, predator and harassment sounds. These sounds work well on most bird species that cause problems in cherry orchards. Some sounds are bird species specific so it is important to identify the bird species causing the problem. 

Gas Guns - Bird Bangers:
These use loud bangs which deter most bird species. They are an effective way of deterring birds from large open areas. Designed and built to last, these gas guns will give you many years of problem-free bird control. Portable units can be mounted on a quad or ATV and fired as required. The noise can be an issue in some locations, near neighbours. These are often governed or restricted by local bylaws, so check with your local council.

Lasers - Handheld & Automatic:
With advances in technology, lasers are now available for bird scaring use in orchards. Birds perceive the beam as a solid object chasing them as it moves across surfaces around them. This deters them from the area covered. Lasers have the advantage of being virtually silent and are an effective way to scare birds away from large areas.

Pyrotechnics - Banger & Screamer cartridges:
These are a great way of manually moving flocks of birds from an area. A good way to add effect to other bird deterrents. Like other sound deterrents, they can also be covered by local noise regulations.

Predator Kites & Visual Deterrents:
While not always effective as a stand alone solutions, these help add effect to other deterrents. The predator kites work in well with Bioacoustic deterrents as the birds associate the predator sounds with the kite.

The Importance of Synergy:

Multiple bird deterrents work together having an effect on birds that is far greater than using just one deterrent or another. Using deterrents that target more than one of the birds senses (sight, hearing, taste smell) is more effective. Birds navigate by sight and communicate with sound. Disrupting both (e.g. use of laser and bioacoustic deterrents together), causes them to feel more threatened than targeting just their sight or hearing alone. To target these birds, the best success is gained from using a combination of bird deterrents. Multiple deterrents work together in synergy to create an affect on the birds that is far greater than individual deterrents used on their own.

Site Layouts:
Send us your orchard map or address and we can make a recommendation for you based on a Google Earth view. We will provide a suggested layout plan and corresponding pricing.

Want to combat birds and increase your cherry crop yields and revenue?
View the solutions available or contact us now on 0800 654 320.