Does Using A Snake Decoy Actually Stop Pesky Birds From Eating Crops?

Whether it's for the delightful song or the attractive colors, it can be a joy to have birds visit your garden. Some bring additional benefits — for example, there are several types of birds you'll want to attract to your yards for natural pest control. Unfortunately, other types might also help themselves to your fruit. One solution that has been suggested is to place cheap snake decoys among the plants, but does this actually stop pesky birds from eating your crops?

On the surface, it seems like a great idea. After all, a number of snakes are known to raid nests for eggs and chicks, so it's natural for birds to be afraid of them. You can buy rubber snakes for as little as a buck a piece and place them on the ground or among the foliage of the plants you want to protect. In theory, birds will be frightened by the proximity of the snakes and fly off to feed elsewhere.

Unfortunately, results are mixed at best. Some people who have tried it report that while they may work for a short time, birds soon become used to them. Others suggest you have to constantly move them – while some have found this helpful, it may be more trouble than it's worth, especially considering those who have tried and concluded the rubber snake trick doesn't work at all.

Attracting the types of birds you want in your yard while simultaneously preventing them from eating your crops can be a difficult balancing act. Bird netting is highly effective, but it can be awkward to install and maintain, and isn't what everyone wants to look at. Owl decoys are another recommendation, but similarly to the fake snake option, birds aren't so easily fooled. They will soon realize it never moves, so it's only a short-term solution at best.

The sound created by wind chimes has proved to be effective, although once again, birds may become acclimated to it eventually. Hanging shiny objects like old CDs or reflective tape can also help. Apart from unsightly netting, no single method is guaranteed to be effective against all birds in every situation — the ideal deterrent will depend on how valuable your crop is to you. If you really want to protect it, you'll probably need to try several different methods and remain vigilant. 

On the other hand, it might just be worth letting those pesky birds have a berry or two for the benefits they bring to your yard. And if you can't beat 'em, feed 'em. One of the benefits of having a bird feeder in your yard is that you can provide an alternative food source that will hopefully persuade the birds away from your crop.