Growing fruit and vegetables in Perth can be rewarding, but sharing your hard-earned harvest with local birdlife is often an unwelcome challenge. From pecking ripening fruit to damaging young seedlings, birds can cause significant frustration for gardeners. Fortunately, installing physical barriers is a highly effective and humane method of protection. Understanding which common Perth birds can be successfully excluded is key to choosing the right solution.
Common Culprits in Perth Gardens
Several bird species frequently visit Perth gardens, seeking food sources. Among the most common culprits causing damage to fruit crops and vegetable patches are:
1. Silvereyes: These small, highly mobile birds often move in flocks and can quickly decimate soft fruits like berries, figs, and grapes. Their small size allows them to access seemingly minor gaps.
2. Australian Ringneck (Twenty-eight Parrot): Larger than Silvereyes, these parrots possess strong beaks capable of damaging harder fruits, nuts, and even buds or flowers before fruit sets.
3. Rainbow Lorikeets: An introduced species now widespread in Perth, these colourful birds compete with native species and readily feed on fruits and blossoms, often causing considerable damage.
4. Red Wattlebirds and Singing Honeyeaters: While primarily nectar feeders, these native birds will take advantage of ripening fruit when available.
Other birds like pigeons or doves might occasionally cause issues, particularly with seedlings or ground-level crops.
How Netting Provides Protection
Physical exclusion remains one of the most reliable ways to prevent bird damage. Properly installed bird netting creates a barrier that birds simply cannot penetrate to reach the protected plants. The effectiveness depends on the mesh size and the integrity of the installation. Smaller mesh sizes are necessary to exclude tiny birds like Silvereyes, whereas a slightly larger mesh might suffice for bigger birds like parrots, though smaller mesh generally offers broader protection. The netting physically prevents birds from landing on or accessing the fruit and foliage beneath it.
Selecting and Installing Netting Correctly
Choosing the appropriate netting involves considering the types of birds you need to exclude and the structure you intend to cover. Reputable bird netting suppliers offer various mesh sizes and materials, typically durable UV-stabilised polyethylene. Correct installation is fundamental for success and safety. The netting should be pulled taut over a frame or draped directly over the tree or plants, ensuring it reaches the ground or is secured around the trunk. Leaving gaps or loose areas can allow birds entry and potentially trap them, which must be avoided. Regular checks ensure the netting remains secure and free from damage.
Beyond Individual Fruit Trees
While often associated with orchards or single trees, netting has wider applications in the garden. Constructing netted enclosures or tunnels over vegetable beds protects seedlings and leafy greens from being eaten or disturbed. Berry patches, grapevines, and other vulnerable crops benefit significantly from correctly applied fruit tree netting. This adaptability makes it a versatile tool for Perth gardeners aiming to safeguard a variety of plants from avian attention.
Protecting Your Produce Effectively
Using netting is a practical strategy for Perth gardeners wanting to protect their produce from common garden birds like Silvereyes, parrots, and lorikeets. By selecting the appropriate mesh size and ensuring meticulous installation without gaps, gardeners can effectively reserve their harvest for themselves, minimising losses and ensuring the efforts put into cultivation yield satisfying results.
The author is an Australian outdoor solutions expert specializing in mesh fencing and landscape protection. Their insights cover how regional conditions, such as coastal corrosion and rural strength requirements, impact material choices. For tailored fencing solutions and expert advice, visit: https://www.ruralfencingsupplies.com.au/
Common Culprits in Perth Gardens
Several bird species frequently visit Perth gardens, seeking food sources. Among the most common culprits causing damage to fruit crops and vegetable patches are:
1. Silvereyes: These small, highly mobile birds often move in flocks and can quickly decimate soft fruits like berries, figs, and grapes. Their small size allows them to access seemingly minor gaps.
2. Australian Ringneck (Twenty-eight Parrot): Larger than Silvereyes, these parrots possess strong beaks capable of damaging harder fruits, nuts, and even buds or flowers before fruit sets.
3. Rainbow Lorikeets: An introduced species now widespread in Perth, these colourful birds compete with native species and readily feed on fruits and blossoms, often causing considerable damage.
4. Red Wattlebirds and Singing Honeyeaters: While primarily nectar feeders, these native birds will take advantage of ripening fruit when available.
Other birds like pigeons or doves might occasionally cause issues, particularly with seedlings or ground-level crops.
How Netting Provides Protection
Physical exclusion remains one of the most reliable ways to prevent bird damage. Properly installed bird netting creates a barrier that birds simply cannot penetrate to reach the protected plants. The effectiveness depends on the mesh size and the integrity of the installation. Smaller mesh sizes are necessary to exclude tiny birds like Silvereyes, whereas a slightly larger mesh might suffice for bigger birds like parrots, though smaller mesh generally offers broader protection. The netting physically prevents birds from landing on or accessing the fruit and foliage beneath it.
Selecting and Installing Netting Correctly
Choosing the appropriate netting involves considering the types of birds you need to exclude and the structure you intend to cover. Reputable bird netting suppliers offer various mesh sizes and materials, typically durable UV-stabilised polyethylene. Correct installation is fundamental for success and safety. The netting should be pulled taut over a frame or draped directly over the tree or plants, ensuring it reaches the ground or is secured around the trunk. Leaving gaps or loose areas can allow birds entry and potentially trap them, which must be avoided. Regular checks ensure the netting remains secure and free from damage.
Beyond Individual Fruit Trees
While often associated with orchards or single trees, netting has wider applications in the garden. Constructing netted enclosures or tunnels over vegetable beds protects seedlings and leafy greens from being eaten or disturbed. Berry patches, grapevines, and other vulnerable crops benefit significantly from correctly applied fruit tree netting. This adaptability makes it a versatile tool for Perth gardeners aiming to safeguard a variety of plants from avian attention.
Protecting Your Produce Effectively
Using netting is a practical strategy for Perth gardeners wanting to protect their produce from common garden birds like Silvereyes, parrots, and lorikeets. By selecting the appropriate mesh size and ensuring meticulous installation without gaps, gardeners can effectively reserve their harvest for themselves, minimising losses and ensuring the efforts put into cultivation yield satisfying results.
The author is an Australian outdoor solutions expert specializing in mesh fencing and landscape protection. Their insights cover how regional conditions, such as coastal corrosion and rural strength requirements, impact material choices. For tailored fencing solutions and expert advice, visit: https://www.ruralfencingsupplies.com.au/