How to Stop Birds Digging up Lawn

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Repel Birds and Save Your Garden!

You aren't alone if you’re wondering how to stop Galas, Cockatoos, and other birds from pulling out your freshly installed lawn! This question is particularly common for those who have Kikuyu lawns. But why do birds feel compelled to rip up your lawn, and how do you stop them?

What Is Attracting Birds to Your Garden and Lawn?

Before you can choose the best repellent or treatment solution to stop birds from going at your lawn, you’ll first need to figure out what is attracting them in the first place.

You May Have a Lawn Grub Infestation

One of the most common reasons birds feel the need to dig holes in your lawn is that there may be an abundance of grubs, bugs, or beetle larvae within the soil they like to eat. Tasty grubs in lawns are a common food source for birds like Magpies and Crows.

You can find a range of lawn grub treatments for your lawn that are safe and effective, and this can help to stop birds from ripping up your lawn. 

It Could Be Your Lawn Type

Another reason birds are shredding your lawn could be the type of lawn you have. Birds like Cockatoos and Galahs have a strictly vegetarian diet, feeding on seeds, weeds and vegetation. 

These types of birds love to rip up and eat the starchy underground runners beneath the soil, particularly common in Kikuyu lawns. To get to those underground runners, they have to dig to find the grassroots and mess up your lawn in the process. 

Having birds dig around in your lawn this way won’t completely destroy the lawn. In fact, it’s a relatively healthy environmental cycle, and your ground will recover and survive just fine. Birds foraging on lawns only becomes an issue when multiple birds are going at it every day. 

Bird Repellent Solutions for Your Backyard

What starts as just an inconvenience can become a major problem. If you find that local birds are quite literally terrorising your lawn, there are a few non-invasive ways to get them to back off. 

Fake Predator Birds (Like Fake Owls and Hawks)

One of the easiest solutions to the problem is probably the oldest method in the book — a scarecrow. Although these days, scarecrows aren’t as common in suburban areas (and are a bit of an eyesore), you can still use the same concept but with a different execution.

Consider buying a fake owl, cat, or hawk and setting it somewhere in your garden or nearby trees. This will deter them from going to your lawn because they’ll see there is a predator nearby that they won’t want to go up against. You can even find motion-activated fake owls that make a hooting sound for extra effect. 

Try to move your fake predator or scarecrow every few days because birds are incredibly clever and may soon discover the ruse. 

Motion Sensor Irrigation to Detect Bird Movement

Another solution to fighting off the birds is to buy a motion sensor irrigation system. These motion-activated sprinklers can detect birds moving on the lawn and will send out a quick jet stream of water to fend them off. The sound of the sprinkler turning on and the directed water will most likely scare the birds away. 

Bird Lawn Repellents and Other Spray Mixes

There are a few bird deterrents on the market that you can spray on your lawn to stop the birds from pecking. The active ingredient in these mixtures is aluminum ammonium sulfate, which creates a bitter taste the birds won’t like. These sprays are completely safe for not only the birds but also other animals and people. 

How To Deter Particular Bird Species From Your Lawn

While common solutions like bird lawn repellent and other spray mixes are ideal for a whole range of birds, there may be specific deterrents for varying bird species. 

Cockatoos

One cockatoo deterrent is to install bird netting over the grass, creating a barrier that denies them access. Similarly, scare tactics, such as hanging reflective objects or using motion-activated devices that emit loud noises, can startle and deter these birds.

Galahs 

To stop galahs from destroying your lawn, it’s best to provide alternative food sources away from the garden, such as bird feeders filled with suitable seeds or food. This can help redirect their attention. Regularly cleaning up fallen fruits or food scraps from the lawn can also discourage galahs from lingering. 

Magpies 

The best magpie deterrent is the use of physical barriers. Installing bird netting or mesh over areas where magpies frequent can prevent them from accessing those spaces. Additionally, motion-activated sprinklers or sound devices can startle magpies and discourage them from approaching. It's important to note that magpies are protected species in some regions, so it's essential to check local regulations before implementing any deterrents. 

Crows 

Wondering how to stop crows from picking at your garden? When it comes to deterring crows, a combination of methods can be effective. An ideal approach is to use taste deterrents by applying non-toxic substances with strong or unpleasant tastes to objects the crows may be attracted to. Creating a physical barrier with bird netting or mesh can also prevent crows from accessing specific areas.

Keep in mind that crows are intelligent birds, so it may be necessary to rotate or vary the deterrent methods to maintain their effectiveness.

Control Birds in Your Backyard With Lilydale Instant Lawns

Start deterring birds pecking at your lawn by choosing a simple method like a fake bird predator. If you find the simplest solution isn’t working, try investing in something like an irrigation monitor or repellent spray. It’s best to try different methods to see which one works best for you, your lawn and your budget. If you’d like more tips, tricks or advice on how to stop birds from digging up your lawn, get in touch with our friendly team today!