All The Ways To Prevent Birds From Eating Grass Seed

Most homeowners have a love/hate relationship with birds. One the plus side, they're awesome pollinators and can really liven a landscape up with all of their fantastic colors, sizes, and songs. And, let's be honest, seeing baby birds hopping around your yard once they're big enough to explore outside of the nest can be super cute. 

On the down side, they can be absolute menaces that can't differentiate between which seeds are for eating and which are for growing — and of course, no one likes bird poop on their chairs. So, that's why we're breaking down the best ways we've found to keep birds off of your grass seed. We'll show you how folks on social media handle it and dive into the science behind how it keeps birds from eating your grass seeds. But, one thing we want to recommend first: Don't rely on the one method that looks the easiest and call it a day. Birds are creatures of habit and will see through your tricks after a few days. For the best results, we suggest not only using multiple methods, but switching things up every few days by moving items around or rotating out your methods. The more you keep the birds on their toes, the higher chance your grass seed will have all the time it needs to germinate. 

Birds love to munch on seeds, obviously, but they don't like sprouts quite as much, so let's use that to your advantage and pre-germinate your seeds in soil somewhere safe from the feathered friends. The soil is not only chock full of the nutrients seeds need to thrive, but also acts as a protective cover. Pre-germinating will help reduce their vulnerability window, but it can also increase the likelihood of a successful germination, too, since you'll have better control over the environment.

To implement a pre-germination strategy, you can do like this video shows and start your seeds in a wheelbarrow full of soil. Begin by filling the wheelbarrow with a good quality potting mix or compost-enriched garden soil, leaving about 6 to 8 inches of space from the top. Evenly sprinkle your grass seed over the soil, using the recommended coverage rate for your specific seed type. Gently mix the seeds into the top 1 to 2 inches of soil, then give it enough water so that it's consistently moist, but not waterlogged, and be aware of whether or not your container — or wheelbarrow — has ways to drain excess water. If it doesn't, you'll need to be a little more conservative with your watering. Place the wheelbarrow in a location where the seeds can receive enough light for germination, such as a sunny spot on a covered porch or in a garage with south-facing windows. 

However, even if your garage has windows, it may not get bright enough for germination, so you may need to adjust by adding a few more grow lights. This two pack of Zyzykeji LED Grow Lights have clamps that can go right onto the wheelbarrow's rim, letting you angle them just so. Once you've nailed the lighting, keep the soil consistently moist for about a week, or until you see small green shoots emerging. When the shoots have, uh, shot, carefully spread the pre-germinated mixture onto your prepared lawn area using a shovel, spade, or your hands.

Horticultural fleece is another option for those who want a protective cover, but don't want to fuss with transplanting tiny grass sprouts. It's thin enough to let sunlight through, but provides a protective barrier birds can't get through. This AlpineReach Plant Covers Frost & Sun Protection Sheet is perfect, because you can cut it to size and toss it on the ground, or use it over a hoop house — whatever's easiest. 

Horticultural fleece typically comes in a long roll or folded sheet, so you'll first begin by measuring the area you want to cover and make sure your roll is big enough. Ensure whichever size you get is big enough to cover the entire area, plus a little extra, as you'll need to secure it down. Once your seeds have sown, you can either lay the fleece directly onto the soil or reuse old quilting hoops for a low hoop house that gives your sprouts a little room to grow without touching the fabric. Whichever way you go, make sure to secure the fleece into place with garden stakes, landscape fabric staples, or rocks, so that birds can't climb under during an advantageous gust of wind. Keep the fleece in place until you see sprouts that are around 1 to 2 inches tall — too big for birds to eat and strong enough to stand on their own.

Sometimes, you just want to keep it simple by sticking to the tried and true methods, like using straw. Shredded straw is not only cheap and easy to spread, but creates a dense barrier that birds won't bother trying to dig through. Plus, straw helps hold moisture in the soil, which is critical for successful germination. The "shredded" part is key, though, as un-shredded versions tend to trap too much moisture against the ground, inviting fungi and other nasty pathogens to infect your vulnerable seedlings. 

To use shredded straw effectively, aim for a thin, even layer that's around 2 to 4 inches across your entire seeded patch. After sowing your grass seed, gently spread the shredded straw so you can still see about 50% of the soil through it. You're not trying to bury the seeds in a haystack; you just want enough to deter birds and help retain moisture. We also recommend using gloves or a garden roller to spread it, like VEVOR's Lawn Roller, so you get even coverage across the entire seed patch. Once your grass has germinated and is a few inches tall, you can lightly rake away any remaining straw or leave it to decompose naturally, as it will add organic matter back to the soil, nourishing your new lawn.

If you're looking for something a little festive that provides the benefits of a multi-sensory bird deterring strategy, consider using reflective bird tape. Bird tape works by first reflecting the sun's light as it moves in the wind, which essentially turns it into an unpredictable strobe light, startling birds. Second, it produces a humming sound as it rustles, alerting birds ears' that something is amiss. And a third bonus: It looks really cool and gives your lawn this shimmering, dynamic element that's just fun (your kids may enjoy it, too).

Using bird tape isn't for the timid, as you'll need a generous amount because one or two streamers won't be enough. Despite the association we have with "bird brained," birds are smart and can figure out that a few wispy strands of streamers aren't a real threat. Instead, grab a roll and cut at least a dozen strips from it — the bigger the lawn, the more you'll need. Tie the strips onto stakes, poles, or even existing fences or structures that can hold them. Your goal is to add enough streamers that it looks like a dense barrier and not a sparse section of leftover party streamers. Aim to make it look as busy and obnoxious as possible, so that birds are thrown off by its sporadic nature. Once the sprouts have begun to pop up from your seeds, you can remove the streamers and save yourself more passive aggressive comments from your neighbors. 

If you just want to turn your germinating grass patch into a dance party, ditch the bird tape and add a few disco balls. The rotating disco balls will create a similar strobe effect like reflective tape does, scaring the birds away. It's like a never-ending light show designed to make them think twice about looking around your yard for a little snack. Plus, the thought of multiple disco balls around our yard just makes it seem so festive and fun, don't you think?

To set up your dance party-esque deterrent, grab a few disco balls — the more the merrier, and will have maximum impact. You can hang them on hanging garden hooks, like this eight-pack of Ashman Shepherd's Hooks. You can also use existing structures like fence posts, or hang them off tree branches, but garden hooks work best because you can move them around your freshly-seeded area strategically, changing up the pattern and keeping birds from figuring out the disco balls aren't an active threat. And while this method can work as a visual deterrent, you may find you'll need to incorporate other options, too, as you'll lose the auditory benefit bird tape has.

As many parents can attest, sometimes the best method of attack is just pure bribery. If you're not interested in turning your landscape into an area full of shiny objects, another option is to distract the birds by giving them a snack somewhere far away from your seed patch. Setting up a bird feeder in the front yard if you're growing grass in the back, or vice versa, can divert bird's attention away from your grass seed. The birds will (hopefully) see the feeder as a lower barrier of entry for getting food, leaving your grass seed alone. 

To use this method effectively, first know your enemy, as different types of bird seed attract different birds. The app Merlin Bird ID by CornellLab is free and works great for identifying birds in your area by listening to their calls or looking at images from your phone's camera. Once you've figured out your local menagerie's client list, head to a garden center or big box home improvement store and pick up some seeds and a feeder, then set it up as far away from your seeded patch as possible. Oh, and don't make the bird feeder mistake of never refilling it or the birds will look elsewhere for a tasty treat, like your lawn. Once your seeds have sprouted, you can close up the seed snack shop if you want, or keep it open for business. 

If you're looking for a cheerful little lawn display that will keep the birds away, consider adding some pinwheels around your newly-seeded area. Pinwheels are popular options for keeping birds away because it's typically not something they see in nature, so they will opt for being safe, rather than sorry, and stay away. To maximize their deterrent effect, though, you'll need pinwheels that are reflective. This way, you'll get the same benefits you would with disco balls or reflective tape, minus the auditory humming sounds, of course. 

To use a pinwheel strategy effectively, you'll need more than one or two. Think about creating a "field" of pinwheels that are strategically placed around the border, and even in the middle of your seed patch, if it's wide enough for birds to plop down without worrying about a pinwheel strike. Just make sure to get the kind of pinwheels that have a handle or stick attached that can be staked down. Also, ensure they're taller than the lawn sprouts will be. However, even if you think you've staked them in the perfect spots, it's a good idea to either combine pinwheels with another deterrent or at least move them around every few days. Remember that birds are curious creatures, so eventually they will come check out the pinwheels to see what they're all about if they notice things aren't quite as scary as they first seemed. 

Birds are hungry little things, but they're not interested in a meal that's being observed by one of their predators. That's why you'll often see gardeners use plastic owl decoys to scare them away, because they tap into a bird's primal instincts to avoid places where it could wind up as someone else's meal. It's all about adding that concern that there is an actual threat sitting near that seed patch, so it's best to look for a lower friction place to eat. 

You can get any old owl statue, but there are some things to consider before using a fake owl decoy. The best are ones that have bobble heads, like these Hedoc Fake Owl Decoys. The heads are on springs, so they will move as they're hit with wind, making them look more realistic than a static one. Place your owl decoy somewhere prominent, like on top of a fence post, where it's easy for approaching birds to notice. Just make sure to move it every once in a while and check on it after a windy days to make sure it hasn't fallen over. The birds will notice if their scary opponent hasn't moved or is face down in the dirt, and may press their luck by grabbing a few grass seeds before you notice. 

If you're not interested in an army of owl statues, go with a scarecrow. The core principle behind scarecrows works similarly to decoy predators, making birds think there's something actively monitoring the vulnerable and tasty seeds. But if the classic scarecrow look isn't your style, we loved the ingenuity in this video of just popping a Spiderman mask on a stake because it has the same benefits a scarecrow would, but is super cheap and easy. After all, with great lawns comes great responsibility, or something like that. 

To make your scarecrow or spider-crow-man the most effective, start by ensuring it first looks somewhat human-like and has bright colors. Birds are visual animals, so these features will grab their attention and make them think twice. Attach your superhero scarer, whether just a mask or full-bodied, so that it swivels in the breeze to get the maximum benefit. Like the owl decoys, birds will realize a static object is less of a threat faster than a dynamically-moving one, and since you've only got a two to three week germination rate for most grass, every second fooled counts. 

Ready to complete that garden party atmosphere around your seed patch? Add some foil balloons; not only will they look awesome, but like reflective tape they too have a multi-pronged deterrent approach against birds. Not only does aluminum foil keeps birds from eating grass seeds, thanks to its ability to catch and reflect light, but balloons bobbing and weaving motion in even the slightest of winds will trigger a bird's natural wariness for weirdly moving objects. 

To use foil balloons as bird deterrents, you'll need to strategically place them around the perimeter of your seed patch. Tie them down with garden stakes or landscape fabric staples and make sure they have enough space so that they won't get caught in each other's ribbons and lose their ability to sway. Unfortunately, though, birds will want to join the party eventually, so you'll need move the balloons every few days or considering combining your balloons with laying a barrier over the seeds, to increase its effectiveness.