Farmers and gardeners turn to burlap and hay to protect crops from bird flocks
A new guide details the step-by-step process for constructing a functional scarecrow, including specific pole dimensions and materials needed to secure the structure in high winds.
By Alina Campbell ·
Home gardeners and professional farmers alike face a persistent challenge: protecting labor-intensive crops from local bird flocks.
The Oakland Press published a detailed guide on November 6, outlining the construction of a scarecrow as a low-cost alternative to pesticides for deterring these pests.
The guide specifies a precise list of materials required to build a durable structure that can withstand outdoor conditions.
Builders must source a 7-foot bamboo pole and a 4-foot bamboo pole to form the primary frame. These poles are joined using a hammer, nails, or wood glue to create a cross shape.
The 4-foot pole is positioned half a meter down the 7-foot pole and secured perpendicular to the main spine. This arrangement creates a frame that mimics the upper body of a human figure.
Clothing serves as the outer layer and helps confuse birds about the nature of the figure. The guide recommends using old pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a wide-brimmed hat.
The shirt is sized to cover the upper section of the pole structure. It is dressed by sliding sleeves through the arms of the frame and buttoning up the front.
Wire is used to tie the bottom of the shirt and secure the arm ends, ensuring the fabric remains attached even during high winds. The pants are filled with straw to create a full appearance and attached to the shirt with additional wire.
Stuffing is applied to the shirt to create a realistic torso shape. Users can fill the sleeves and body with straw, hay, leaves, wood clippings, or old rags. The volume of stuffing determines the final look, ranging from broad shoulders to a pot belly.
The head is formed by stuffing a burlap potato sack with the same filling used for the body. Twine is tied around the base of the sack to secure the filling, and the head is then placed on top of the 7-foot pole.
A permanent marker can be used to draw a face on the burlap to enhance the visual deterrent effect. The final step involves driving the 7-foot pole into the ground at a location with high bird activity.
The guide notes that a post hole may need to be dug to a depth of about one foot to ensure the scarecrow stands securely in hard soil. A hat is placed on top of the head as a final detail.
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