Rice is an important staple crop for many people and cultures worldwide. In some areas, it’s almost impossible to find a home without a view of rice paddies or at least fields of this versatile plant.
However, even in areas where rice is grown year after year, birds can devastate the crops.
Red jungle fowl (more commonly known as jungle cocks) and common peafowl are two birds that love snacking on ripe red rice grains.
These birds are native to Asia and parts of Africa, but they’ve spread to other regions in their search for more rice fields to devour.
If you have a small patch of your rice field and want to keep it safe from these hungry avians, read on for helpful tips to deter them from destroying your crops.
In some cases, the damage they cause can be extensive. If you want to protect your rice crop, you must take action immediately.
Here are some of the most effective methods you can use to deter birds and how to improve rice yield
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1. Use Scarecrows
Scarecrows are a great way to keep birds at bay. They don’t have to be elaborate and can be something as simple as a few sticks tied together.
Just make sure the scarecrow is made from something that will stand out against the background of your rice field. It should look like a person standing in the field.
The scarecrow will be more effective if it’s placed near the edge of your field. This is where birds won’t be able to see from a distance, so they won’t know what the scarecrow is.
2. Install Bird Netting
Another effective method for keeping birds out of your rice field is to install bird netting. This is a very inexpensive and effective way to keep birds out of your crop.
The netting will allow the wind to blow through it so that it won’t be too hot for the plants underneath. It can be attached to bamboo poles sunk into the ground around your rice field.
You can also use mesh wire or string dipped in sticky oil. Birds hate getting their feathers stuck in this type of wire, so they will avoid flying into it at all costs.
The birds will try to peck their way through the mesh, but they won’t be able to and eventually give up.
3. Use Noisemakers
You can scare birds away by playing recordings of loud noises such as gunshots, car horns, or even a person screaming.
You can also use noise makers to scare birds away from the rice field. This method is very effective because it’s cheap and requires no maintenance.
Birds will think they are being attacked and quickly fly away from your rice field. The noise will cause the birds to be much more scared than if you were standing there.
4. Seed Repellent
A bird repellent made of seeds is an effective way to deter birds from destroying your rice crops. If you have a small rice patch and want to keep it safe from birds, use seed repellent.
You can buy this bird deterrent at your local hardware store or make yours for a fraction of the cost.
5. CDs and Mirrors
CDs and mirrors are effective bird deterrents if you want to keep birds away from your rice crops. If you wish to use these as bird deterrents, ensure they are positioned so birds cannot easily knock them over.
Also, position them to reflect the moonlight and confuse the birds. It is best to place these bird deterrents in the middle of your rice yield.
6. Man’s Best Friend
If you want to keep birds away from your rice crops, use man’s best friend as a bird deterrent. You can keep a dog in your rice fields to scare the birds away.
However, be sure to keep the dog in a safe place away from your crops. The dog should not be allowed to enter your rice fields, as it can damage the crops.
7. Deter Birds by Scattering Black Pepper on the Ground
Black pepper is a natural bird deterrent that has been used for centuries. It’s highly effective in repelling birds and other wildlife because it has an extremely powerful odor that deters most animals.
However, it should be used in moderation because too much black pepper can cause health problems. If you want to use black pepper in your rice fields, scatter some around the edges of the field.
8. Plastic predators and toy snakes
Plastic predators are another way to scare away birds from your rice field. You can buy these from your local garden store or online.
Most of these predators are made from plastic and have long tails and beaks. Some of them also have wings that flap like a real birds.
You can put these in the field and let them flap around. This will scare off any birds that see them and want to fly into your field!
You can also use a toy or fake snakes to keep the birds out of your rice field. These are very effective at scaring off birds, especially if they’re made from plastic or rubber. You can find these on sale at most garden stores and online retailers.
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