Do Scarecrows Really Work? + Tips for Scaring Away Birds & Pests

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Find out if real farmers use scarecrows against deer, hawks, & more
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Scarecrows have been the bird deterrent of choice for farmers and gardeners from time immemorial – even the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used them! Now, we associate scarecrows more with Dorothy's quirky friend in The Wizard of Oz – so, have scarecrows lost their purpose to Hollywood? The answer is no! Discover how scarecrows can help you keep birds and even deer and small animals away from your plants, plus innovative ways some farmers are adapting the scarecrow in the 21st century.

Do scarecrows work?

A traditional straw-stuffed scarecrow can temporarily scare away crows and deer until they realize it's not a living thing. Some birds aren't scared of it at all. Repel pests more effectively by moving your scarecrow around and combining it with other deterrent strategies, like loud sounds or lasers.

Section 1 of 4:

Are scarecrows actually effective?

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    Scarecrows can definitely work, but they’re most effective when moved around frequently or used alongside other deterrents like flashy objects or noisemakers. Scarecrows may also be less effective on certain species that are accustomed to humans, like pigeons or seagulls. [1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Which animals do scarecrows work on?

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    Crows, ravens, sparrows, and other small birds that eat or play with plants will typically forgo a visit to your crop if they think there's a person close by. The key is dressing and moving the scarecrow to make it look alive. [2]
    • Hawks and owls will avoid your scarecrow as long as you move it around periodically and combine it with other bird deterrent methods, like repellants, motion, and loud noise. [3]
    • Birds that are comfortable around people, like pigeons or doves, probably won't be deterred (at least not for long) by a scarecrow that moves, so you'll need to use other repelling methods for those species.
  2. 2
    Deer that aren't used to humans will also shy away from scarecrows. If a wild deer sees your scarecrow and assumes it’s a human, it’ll likely become fearful and run off. However, if a deer is accustomed to seeing people in their environment, you may need to combine the scarecrow with another deterrent, like motion, loud noises, or an odor-based repellent. [4]
  3. 3
    Motion-activated scarecrows frighten squirrels and other rodents. Rodents and squirrels aren’t necessarily afraid of humans, so you may need a motion-activated scarecrow to spook these pests. You can also use a scarecrow that’s designed to look like their natural predator— owl decoys are especially effective at scaring away squirrels that try to steal seeds from your garden or bird feeder. [5]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Make a Scarecrow More Effective

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    Everyone is familiar with scarecrows clothed in old straw-stuffed shirts and pants, but empty clothes move more in the wind. Movement scares birds and animals, so leave out the straw when you make the scarecrow and let the clothes hang off it. [6]
  2. 2
    Add bright, reflective materials to distract pests. Birds – especially crows and ravens – get distracted by bright, shiny things such as Mylar balloons, colorful flags, and bird tape. Rather than pick at your plants, they will flock to the scarecrow instead. [7]
  3. 3
    Hang chimes, pie pans, or cans to scare pests away with noise. Wild animals and birds dislike loud sounds, which are startling and may indicate a predator is nearby. Dangle your noisemaker from the scarecrow frame and let the wind shake them throughout the day and night. [8]
  4. 4
    Spray repellent on your scarecrow to make it smell or taste bad. When birds and animals like deer near the area, they'll be put off by the sight of the scarecrow and its terrible odor. Even if the scarecrow doesn't fool them, the repellant will act as a second line of defense. [9]
  5. 5
    Move the scarecrow every other day to protect larger areas. If you keep the scarecrow in one place, you're teaching pests to simply avoid that spot. Reposition it on a regular schedule to show birds and animals that they're not welcome anywhere in your field or garden. [10]
  6. 6
    Set up motion-sensor scarecrows for hands-off deterrence. These battery or solar-powered devices automatically activate when they detect something moving. Popular motion sensor scarecrows include bird-shaped sprinklers that spray pests with water, owls that scare away squirrels and other small creatures, and loud ultrasonic sound emitters.
  7. 7
    Install a laser scarecrow defense system to stop birds from descending. A recent study by scientists at the University of Florida and the University of Rhode Island found that birds tend to avoid damaging fields that are protected by laser-emitting scarecrows. It may seem drastic, but hey, this is the 21st century! [11]
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Section 4 of 4:

Alternative Ways to Scare Animals from Your Field or Garden

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    Bird cannons are devices that emit sonic blasts that are as loud as an ambulance siren or a jackhammer. The sound covers 5 acres and scares birds, so it's definitely effective – and humane, as well! [12]
    • However, if neighbors live close by or you want to protect a small garden in the city, avoid using the bird cannon so you won't cause a disturbance.
  2. 2
    Cover plants and crops with mesh deer netting to keep pests out. Deer netting is made with a fine mesh that prevents birds, rodents, and small animals from sampling the foliage. Surround your plant beds or crop crows with the netting and nail it into place on nearby posts, trees, or bushes.
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    A study by Washington State University researchers showed that birds are scared by the whir of drone blades as they fly. The researchers believe a system of drones could patrol fields 24/7 and be equipped with predatory bird noises to drive birds away long-term. [13]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lhf.org/2014/10/a-farmers-best-friend-the-scarecrow/
      2. ↑ https://www.lhf.org/2014/10/a-farmers-best-friend-the-scarecrow/
      3. ↑ https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Hawks-and-Owls.pdf
      4. ↑ https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/hunt_trap/ddmtdeter.aspx
      5. ↑ https://www.olt.org/news/item/608-rabbits-rodents-and-squirrels
      6. ↑ https://wolfhaven.org/scarecrows-a-nonlethal-deterrent/
      7. ↑ https://wolfhaven.org/scarecrows-a-nonlethal-deterrent/
      8. ↑ https://www.lhf.org/2014/10/a-farmers-best-friend-the-scarecrow/
      9. ↑ https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/hunt_trap/ddmtdeter.aspx
      1. ↑ https://wolfhaven.org/scarecrows-a-nonlethal-deterrent/
      2. ↑ https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.7888
      3. ↑ https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/december/flight-training-magazine/how-it-works-bird-cannon
      4. ↑ https://generalaviationnews.com/2022/06/13/drones-may-replace-scarecrows/

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