Crows can be a real nuisance in the garden, pulling up plants and raiding your bird feeder. While there is no fool-proof way to keep crows away, there are some methods that seem to work better than others.
Here are some tips for keeping crows out of your garden.
Risks of Crows in the Garden
Crows can be a major nuisance in the garden, posing a number of risks to our plants and other wildlife.
Foremost among these risks is their habit of eating our plants and crops, which can leave our garden looking damaged and unkempt.
In addition, crows are also known to carry diseases such as histoplasmosis and West Nile virus, both of which can cause serious harm to humans and other birds.
Finally, these migratory birds can also be extremely destructive to local ecosystems, often killing or displacing other birds that are essential to the health and balance of the natural world.
What Attracts Crows to My Yard?
One of the most common questions asked about crows is WHY they are attracted to certain yards. The answer, it turns out, is not always simple. In general, crows are attracted to yards that provide them with easy access to food, water, and shelter.
There are a few other factors that can also play a role in attracting crows to your property.
For example, if you have a lot of trash or debris in your yard, crows may be attracted by the possibility of finding a meal.
Similarly, if you have a garden with ripe fruits or vegetables, crows may be attracted by the possibility of a tasty snack.
 Finally, if you have a lot of tall trees or shrubs on your property, crows may be attracted by the possibility of using them for nesting material. By understanding what attracts crows to your yard, you can take steps to deter them from taking up residence on your property.
How to Get Rid of Crows
One of the most common complaints about birds is that they make too much noise. This can be especially true of crows, which are known for their loud, raucous calls. While some people find the sound of crows to be soothing, others find it to be a nuisance. If you fall into the latter category, you may be wondering what you can do to get rid of them.
Make the Space Less Desirable
If you’ve ever shooed away a crow from your garden, you know how persistent and pesky these birds can be.
Crows are attracted to gardens for many reasons, including the abundance of insects, fruit, and seeds. One natural way to deter crows is to make your yard less attractive to them. Remove any food sources that they might be after, such as bird feeders or pet food. You should also keep your trash cans covered and pick up any fallen fruit from your trees.
While it’s not possible to completely deter crows from your garden, there are a few things you can do to make it less inviting.
Crows eating insects can be part of the dead and decaying food that crows encounter, especially when they forage through the grass in city parks or gardens. Remember to remove any sources of food and water, and consider providing alternative nesting areas to keep these intelligent birds at bay
Cover the Compost
There are several natural ways to get rid of crows, including removing food sources by covering the compost. Additionally, you can cover your compost heap in a layer of chicken wire, which has proven very effective in keeping crows at bay.
Use Netting
Another useful strategy is to use netting over plants. This simple solution creates a fence-like barrier that is nearly impossible for the birds to penetrate. It also allows light, water, and nutrients to reach the plants below, while discouraging destructive grazing behaviors.
Therefore, if you are looking for an effective way to get rid of crows and protect your valuable plants, it is well worth considering investing in some netting. Not only will it save you from expensive crop losses in the long run, but it also makes for a more peaceful gardening experience overall!
Eliminate Nesting Areas
If crows are roosting in your trees, you can try hanging shiny objects such as CDs or mylar balloons in the branches. Additionally, consider using bird tape—a reflective material that creates movement and noise in the wind. The combination of the reflective surface and the fluttering motion will help to scare crows off.
Install Bird Spikes
One approach is to simply make the area unappealing by planting thorny or spiky plants around the area where crows roost or spend time. This will help deter them from coming back to that location due to the unpleasant sensation associated with walking through these prickly plants.Â
Use Gel on Trees and Roosting Areas
When it comes to dealing with pesky crows, using gel is often the best option. Gel works by creating a sticky barrier on trees and roosting areas that make it difficult for crows to land and move about freely.
This helps to deter crows from settling in these areas, effectively reducing their population and preventing trouble in the surrounding area.
Additionally, gel can be applied in other ways, such as on bird feeders or windowsills, to keep crows away from food sources and living spaces.
Eliminate Outdoor Lighting
One effective way to get rid of crows hanging is to eliminate outdoor lighting. By reducing or eliminating sources of light around your home or property, you can effectively disrupt the natural patterns of crow behavior and discourage these birds from hanging around.Â
This may take some time and effort on your part, but the end result will be worth it – a peaceful and crow-free environment.
Use Fake Animals
Decoy animals are lifelike replicas of crows’ predators, such as owls and hawks. When placed in your yard, they will scare the crows away, as the birds believe they are in danger.
You can buy decoy animals online or at your local garden store. Additionally, consider adding some strategically placed fake dead crows to enhance the effect.
Just make sure to position them in strategic locations around your property, such as near your crops or in trees. With a little patience, you’ll soon see the crows gather and start to stay away!
Try Laser Beams
Each year, crows cause millions of dollars in damage to crops across the United States. In an effort to reduce this damage, some farmers have begun using laser beams to scare away the birds.
The lasers are usually mounted on vehicles or buildings and are directed at the crows as they approach the fields. The birds are scared off by the flashing lights and loud noises, and they quickly learn to avoid areas where the lasers are used.
While this approach is still relatively new, it appears to be effective in reducing crop damage caused by crows.
Make Loud Noises
Try making a loud noise or spraying crows with water whenever they enter your yard. You can also set up a noisemaker or radio to accomplish this purpose.
Use a Sprinkler System
​​The best solution for this problem is to use a sprinkler system to get rid of crows in your yard. By using a sprinkler system, you can easily detect and target the areas that crows tend to congregate in your yard.
With the ability to spray water from multiple angles and varying distances, you can hit every corner of your yard without having to manually repel the birds with noxious chemicals or messy formula feeds.
Set Up a Scarecrow
When it comes to ridding your property of pesky crows, a traditional scarecrow may be just the solution you need. Crows are among the most intelligent birds in the animal kingdom, and they quickly learn to spot threats and avoid them.
By moving around a scarecrow on a regular basis, you can take advantage of this natural intelligence and trick crows into thinking that your property is dangerous and not worth visiting.
Do Wind Chimes Keep Crows Away?
The sound of wind chimes is a soothing addition to any home. But do these pretty decorations also serve a purpose?
Some people believe that wind chimes can help to keep crows away. The theory is that the noise from the chimes will startle the birds and make them think twice about entering your yard.
While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, it is possible that wind chimes could serve as an effective crow deterrent.
How to Keep Crows Away From Bird Feeders
Crows can be notoriously persistent birds, and they can become a real nuisance around bird feeders.
Their sharp beaks and acute sense of smell make it easy for them to find even the smallest food scraps, and as a result, many well-intentioned feeders end up attracting more crows than smaller birds. If you want to keep crows away from your feeder, there are a few strategies that you can try.Â
Change Up the Feeder
One of the most effective methods is simply to change the feeder itself. For example, try switching to a feeder with smaller openings so that the crows will have a harder time getting to the food.
You might also consider installing a baffle or other obstacle near the feeder, which will make it more difficult for crows to perch nearby and wait for scraps of food to fall their way. With some careful planning and attention, you can effectively discourage crows from invading your bird sanctuary.
Should I Use Poison to Get Rid of Crows?
Using poison to get rid of crows comes with several inherent risks. First, poison may kill native birds as well as crows. Second, it can take several days for the poison to have a noticeable effect on the crows, so you may have to keep reapplying it until they are gone.
While it can be effective, at the end of the day, it may not make a lot of sense for you to use poison on the crows in your garden. Try one of the methods listed above instead.
Crow control can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Try some of the tips we shared and see which ones work best for your garden. With a little perseverance, you should be able to keep these pesky black birds at bay.
FAQs
What is the best deterrent for crows?
The best deterrents for crows include visual and auditory repellents, physical barriers, and habitat modification. Examples include scarecrows, reflective objects, noise-makers, and bird netting to protect crops or areas where crows are causing damage.
What smell do crows hate?
Crows dislike strong odors such as garlic, chili peppers, or mothballs. These scents can be used in homemade repellent sprays or scattered around areas where crows are causing problems.
How do you make homemade crow repellent?
Homemade crow repellents can be made using ingredients like garlic, chili powder, vinegar, or predator urine. These ingredients can be mixed with water and sprayed directly onto surfaces or applied to objects in the area to deter crows.
What device scares away crows?
Devices that scare away crows include propane cannons, electronic sound deterrents, and predator decoys like owls or hawks. These devices emit loud noises or mimic natural predators to frighten crows and discourage them from roosting or feeding in the area.
What makes crows freak out?
Crows may become agitated or frightened by sudden movements, loud noises, or the presence of perceived threats such as predators or unfamiliar objects in their territory. Disturbances to their roosting or feeding areas, changes in their environment, or interactions with humans or other animals can also cause crows to become defensive or aggressive.
See more:
- How to keep animals away from your yard
- How to keep birds out of garden
- How to attract indigo buntings
*image by Wirestock/depositphotos
