[gomoho]

I have what I believe to be a Thrush digging in the beds to the point it is throwing mulch everywhere as well as exposing the roots to many plants. Thought at first it was a land animal doing the damage so I put moth balls to discourage any more visits - the moth balls haven't fazed this bird. Caught him red handed twice this morning just digging away and throwing mulch everywhere. Any suggestions how to keep him away??? I understand he is probably looking for bugs and would love to have this natural pesticide, but not if I have to sacrifice my plants. HELP!!!

[graciegirl]

Well as soon as I locate Gary Morse's number I am reporting a gecko and his whole danged family that since we have moved into our new home has pooped on my front porch railing and MAY be pooping on our chairs.


I did not move here to put up with this kind of thing. He probably came in because the gates can let anyone in and he does NOT help with the taxes OR the BOND.

[Marigold]

Probably frog poop. If I didn't see it happen, I would not have believed it.
Yup, they don't help with the bond but they decrease the insect population in the circle of life.
Enjoy the rain, frog season ahead!
Posts complaining about the noise from the frogs to follow.....

[CFrance]

Last spring we had a poster complaining about two much noise from a mockingbird in her bushes!

Maybe she should have been thankful he wasn't tearing up the landscaping.

Gomoho, I have a suggestion: Here, kitty, kitty, kitty! (On a leash, of course...)

[njbchbum]

Perhaps spreading crushed red pepper, chili pepper, hot paprika or other spicy seasoning throughout the mulch will stem the behavior? Also works well to keep animals from encroaching on lawns. The stinging of the animals senses alerts them to the fact that the area is no longer animal friendly without injuring/harming the animal. Spices can be purchased at the dollar stores in large quantity for a minimum price. It's a small investment to find out if it works.

[Bonnevie]

I don't think the pepper works for birds...it's a suggestion given to put in bird seed because squirrels don't like it but birds don't mind it

[OBXNana]

My mother use to put fake snakes and owls in her gardens and move them from time to time. One year we bought her an owl that had some type of a microchip inside. When the wind would blow the owl would spin and make an awful screeching sound. It would scare the birds and everyone had fun watching the spinning owl that sounded like an attacking hawk. Not sure it would be a welcome addition to a garden in The Villages, but it did work.

[gomoho]

OBX - husband made that suggestion and if he doesn't move on soon I will get some sort of something to scare him away. I'm hoping he is migrating and will move further north in the near future. Just wish he wasn't trying to kill my plants that I so enjoy.

[Philip Winkler]

Try mothballs

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by gomoho

I have what I believe to be a Thrush digging in the beds to the point it is throwing mulch everywhere as well as exposing the roots to many plants. Thought at first it was a land animal doing the damage so I put moth balls to discourage any more visits - the moth balls haven't fazed this bird. Caught him red handed twice this morning just digging away and throwing mulch everywhere. Any suggestions how to keep him away??? I understand he is probably looking for bugs and would love to have this natural pesticide, but not if I have to sacrifice my plants. HELP!!!

Go to WalMart or a garden center and get a plastic owl. That should keep your bird away. You might try putting up a bird feeder close to where the bird is digging. Buy the dry mealworms or feed other than the stanard bird seed. Or even sprinkle the mealwors where he is digging.

Good Luck!

[duffysmom]

We had the same problem and found that it didn't last long. I believe the birds doing the damage were migrating. Bye bye birdie....

[gomoho]

That is what I am hoping for Duffysmom - problem is we are leaving on Saturday for a month and if the bird continues to expose the roots of my plants they will be dead when we return.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Philip Winkler

Try mothballs

I did - didn't phase the bird - just works around them.

[Uptown Girl]

There is something tasty in there that he is after- could be snails, grubs, or worms, they love 'em.
You might try pulling the mulch away and tilling the soil a little around the plants to see if you can discover anything that a granular treatment can help with (like grub treatment)

Spices (like cayenne pepper) won't deter him- birds do not have salivary glands, so the pepper does not faze them.
A rubber snake or owl (as suggested) may help, but must be moved around or the birds catch on- and you will not be there to move it daily.

My best suggestion would be removing the mulch in the targeted spots, then laying down some flagstone pieces where the bird digs. If he can't get to what he wants, he'll move on- and you can remove the flagstone later if you prefer.

Most any landscaping center will sell small pieces that can be easily handled.
Good Luck!

[gomoho]

Thank you Uptown for your suggestions - a neighbor told me she deterred them by putting out the flags we use during the holidays - they are close to the ground and flutter in the breeze - enough to keep them away.