Scarecrows - The Oldest Form of Bird Control
Scarecrows are one of the more popular symbols of Fall and the harvest season.
The origin of scarecrows dates back thousands of years, protecting ripening
crops from birds. While we think of scarecrows as constructed of straw, are
made of many things. Aming the earliest scarecrows were men hired to roam
fields, to scare birds. If your job isto scare way birds, YOU are a
Scarecrows continue to be popular today, in many home gardens. They help
to protect fruits and vegetables, as they begin to ripen. That's why scarecrows
are so closely associated with the fall and harvest season, making them a
popular symbol of Fall.
How to Make a Scarecrow
Did you Know? There are scarecrow festivals all over the country,
most held in the Fall.
History of Scarecrows:
The first scarecrows were in Ancient Egypt, dating back over 3,000 years.
They used scarecrows to protect wheat fields along the Nile river from quail.
The Greeks, Romans, Japanese and many other cultures, used them to protect
their crops, too. Many forms of scarecrows, from life-sized wooden carvings
of scary men, to real-live humans were used. In the middle ages, Europeans
believed scarecrows had special powers. Native Americans used scarecrows,
to keep crows and other birds from their corn crops.
Did You Know? The Scarecrow is a villain in some Batman movies.
How to Make a Scarecrow:
There is no right or wrong way to make a scarecrow.
Start with a long, garden stake or pole. It should have a pointed end, to
push or pound into the ground. Add a shorter board or pole towards the top,
to support and extend the scarecrow's arms. Use nails or rope, to fasten
it to the long pole.
Take old, ragged pants and shirt. Stuff the pants with straw.
Now insert the long pole through one pant leg.
Put the shirt sleeves through the cross pole and button it up.
Now, stuff the shirt with straw. Then, tuck the shirt into the pants.
The head can be made of many things... use your imagination:
An old burlap bag, with a face painted on is common.
A small head-sized pumpkin with a face painted on.
A pumpkin candy bucket from Halloween.
Add a straw hat, and you scarecrow is ready to scare away birds. Or, add
it to your fall yard decorations.
The Most Famous Scarecrow: Without a doubt, the most famous
scarecrow was in the Wizard of Oz (If only he had a brain). He was
played by Ray Bolger, The farmhand "Hunk".
Build a Scarecrow Day
Bird Control Pest Netting
Scarecrows were used for bird control for thousands of years. And, scarecrows
are still used. However, garden nylon pest netting is far more effective,
efficient and easy to use. Controlling birds is a snap with this bird netting.
Just place it on the tree, bush or plant, and birds are no longer a problem.
Bird pest netting can be used on big and small plants. As a garden netting,
it can be draped over your vegetables garden. It can completely wrap a cherry
tree or blueberry bush. Commercial growers will sometimes set up a framework,
and create a "roof" of bird pest netting across a large area.
Bird pest netting is very lightweight. You can set it on most crops without
damage. Use caution when setting it on the tenderest of plants, like lettuce.
For a more permanent coer, make a simple frame to set the netting on. Sun,
rain and air circulation can enter and exit easily through the netting, helping
to keep the plant healthy.
Look for three types of bird pest netting:
Guard Pest Net Bags - Quick wrap ups for a bush or shrub. It's very popular
for blueberry bushes. Simply roll it on, and your blueberries are secure.
Roll it up a ways to harvest the fruit.
Buy Net Protect Bags now.
Pest Netting Sheets - Pest netting sheet work well in the vegetable
garden. It comes in varying sizes. Simply drape it over your plants
and the birds are shut out. It may not be practical in
the flower garden, where the beauty of seeing the flowers is the
reason of the
garden. Buy Bird Netting Sheets now.
Bulk Pest Netting - When you've got a big job, bulk bird netting
is the solution. It's cheaper in bulk. If you have several bushes or trees
to cover, you can cut pieces off the roll and save money.
Buy Bulk Bird Netting now
Are Birds, Bunnies or Deer feasting on your plants?
Brunch time is over.....period!
Buy the Buffet Buster now!
More on Bird Netting and Frames
More on Pest Control - Bird and garden
pest control, garden fencing, more.
Buy Shrub Guard Net Protect Bags now. - The best quality,
long-lasting multi-strand netting on the market.