Gardeners Turn to Bamboo and Burlap to Protect Crops From Birds

Home gardeners are constructing scarecrows from bamboo, burlap, and clothing to stop birds from eating their produce. The practice addresses a specific problem in organic vegetable gardens where pesticides are often avoided. Birds frequently target crops, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, leaving holes in the foliage. A physical barrier made from household items offers a non-chemical solution for these growers.

The history of these deterrents extends back to ancient Egypt, where lifelike figures were used to ward off crows. In medieval Britain, children dressed as scarecrows to patrol fields. German traditions involved figures designed to look like witches to encourage spring. These historical examples show that the method relies on confusing birds with shapes they recognize as threats.

Building the structure requires specific materials. Growers need a 7-foot bamboo pole and a 4-foot bamboo pole. They also need twine, wire, burlap, straw, and old clothing. The clothing should include pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a wide-brimmed hat. The hat helps make the figure harder for birds to identify as a static object.

The construction process begins with the frame. The 4-foot pole is nailed or glued perpendicular to the 7-foot pole to create a cross shape. This frame forms the skeleton of the figure. A shirt is then slipped over the frame. The right sleeve goes through the left arm of the spine first, followed by the left sleeve. The shirt is buttoned up and tied at the bottom with wire to secure it to the frame.

Pants are prepared by tying wire around the leg ends. Straw is stuffed inside the pant legs to give them volume. The pants are then attached to the bottom of the shirt using wire. The shirt itself is stuffed with straw, hay, leaves, or rags to create a realistic torso. The stuffing can be shaped to mimic shoulders or a belly.

The head is made by stuffing a burlap sack with the same filling used for the body. The filling is molded into a head shape, and the sack is tied shut with twine. This head is then placed on top of the 7-foot pole. Some builders use a marker to draw a face on the burlap to increase the deterrent effect.

The final step involves placing the scarecrow in the garden. It should be positioned where bird activity is highest and where it is clearly visible. The 7-foot pole is driven into the ground, often requiring a hole about a foot deep for stability. The hat is added to the top of the head to complete the figure. This setup allows the structure to remain standing in high winds while keeping the bird deterrent in place.