Having birds in your orchard or in your farm fields often leaves farmers and homesteaders uneasy. Gardeners become enraged when they see birds invading their garden they worked so hard on. I used to share the same disdain for birds but over the years my tune has changed. I’ve actually done a complete 180, now I find myself inviting birds. It’s gone so far I have even started building houses for them!
From the first farm I remember setting foot on as a kid to most farms I visit today, one major thing is held in common. BUGS! I’m particularly there are two kinds of bugs that stand out, bugs that eat the plants and bugs that eat the farmer.
Bugs that Annoy Me
First let’s focus on the bugs that will literally get in your face the minute you step foot onto the farm. GNATS! Gnats are one of nature’s great mysteries, I’m sure they serve a purpose in the ecosystem. But besides orbiting humans heads, I don’t think anyone has figured it out yet! Farmers can take solace in the fact that gnats generally want to bother humans more than damage your plants and trees.
Despite the fact that they aren’t as damaging to your fruit trees as other orchard pests, they still need to be dealt with. No matter the scope of your operation, left unchecked they will annoy you. Whether it’s in your backyard orchard or employees at your farm, make no mistake gnats have been known to bring people to their knees, myself included!
Bugs that Eat My Plants
The list of bugs that eat our plants, fruit trees, and generally cause havoc in your farm or garden is way too extensive to list here. There are entire books devoted entirely to pests. If you need a recommendation let me know, there are a few good ones out there. Just don’t look at the closeup pictures right before you go to sleep…
Bugs that damage your produce consist of bugs that eat your leaves, bugs that try to lay eggs into your fruit and on your leaves, and bugs that try to bore into your tree trunk or plant stems. Left unchecked any one of these pests can overrun your garden, farm or orchard. Let’s discuss one way to help with the insect pest problem.
Birds Eat Bugs
I know what you’re thinking, why introduce another pest into your orchard? It’s true birds will eat your fruit. Birds are especially attracted to red and blue colored fruit, yes that means your strawberries, blueberries, raspberries etc. So why would anyone ever want to encourage birds in their orchard?!?
That’s a great question, let’s break it down. Chances are if you grow any significant amount of berries, the birds have already found them. Meaning if you aren’t using bird netting your neighborhood birds already eat the majority of your berries.
Some crops need bird netting. Plants like berries and grapes usually require bird netting to get a sizeable crop anyway. Just add it up as the cost of doing business.
But given enough bugs and insects to eat your bird damage can be minimal. Recently I saw an entire colony of tent caterpillars, a pests that is known to defoliate entire trees, get decimated by a resident bird populations. I regret not taking a picture but imagine a birds nest right next to a tent caterpillar tent. The birds didn’t even have to leave the tree to feast on any entire colony of tent caterpillars!
If you decide to encourage birds in your farm or orchard keep these pointers in mind. Provide man made bird houses in the tree row or nearby. Discourage birds from nesting in your actual trees. If you see a nest being constructed in your tree remove it immediately. Most birds have at least 2 nests for just this occasion. Place bird house at the end of rows or in the middle of rows. Bird houses may be affixed to fence or trellis posts you already have in place. At the top of the post or closer to the ground, birds will find their way into your houses.
Where ever you decide to locate your bird houses remember that birds in your orchard shouldn’t make you nervous. Put these local birds to work in your orchard managing the pest problem. If the birds eliminate half your pest problem your orchard or farm suddenly becomes a happier place. Your employees aren’t constantly swatting at gnats and your not left scratching your head with all the pest damage.
If you have any questions or need help planning out your future orchard reach out to us at NortheastEdible@gmail.com.