Knowing how to stop birds eating grass seed is vital if your garden is frequented by serial suspects such as pigeons, sparrows, finches and doves. They can't resist a patch of freshly sown nutrient-rich grass seed, much to the frustration of the gardener.
Whether you're sorting out bare patches, or cultivating brand new lawn ideas, beady eyed birds can spot seed and swoop in before they've taken root. But this can be prevented without resorting to desperate measures.
"I always advise pursuing the most humane, ethical deterrent options before even considering anything harsh that could potentially harm our avian pals. With some good old-fashioned persistence and covering tactics, you can absolutely have a lush lawn without jeopardising the local bird population," says Dr Daisy May, veterinarian and bird blogger.
Dr Daisy May
Dr Daisy May is a veterinary surgeon. Alongside clinical practice, she is a published freelance copywriter, proud Veterinary Expert at Readyr.com as well as owner and blogger of a specialist bird blog.
7 ways to stop birds eating grass seed
If you want to sow grass seed it's worth mentioning that none of these methods are entirely fail-safe at preventing your seed being eaten by birds, although learning how to lay turf would be a sure way to avoid this problem when starting a new lawn.
The methods below however have all been known to work well as a deterrent to birds eating grass seed without harming wildlife.
1. Mulch over your seeds
One of James Ewens', Commercial Director at Green Feathers, favourite methods for how to stop birds eating grass seed, is to put down a layer of mulch or compost on top of your seed after your sowing.
"Lay around ¼ inch of compost on top of the seeds. Not only is this beneficial for your grass - which will be getting a boost of nutrients to promote strong growth - but the extra layer will hide the seeds from sight, as well as making them difficult to dig for," says James.
Whilst this is great if you're overseeding patches or laying a small area of lawn, buying enough compost to cover a large area will be expensive.
James Ewens
James Ewens is commercial director of Green Feathers, bird box camera and wildlife specialists, and is a self-proclaimed garden enthusiast. James is passionate about all things to do with nature, gardening and wildlife. When he's not tending to his own outdoor space, he's usually checking on his bird and hedgehog cameras.
“If you don’t want to go down the mulching route, but would still like a protective covering, a garden fleece might be a better option," suggests James Ewens.
"These trap in heat while allowing moisture to pass through, creating the perfect environment for your grass to thrive alongside acting as a barrier between your seeds and birds," says James.
Alternatively, Dr Daisy May mentions lightweight netting, burlap sacking, or a nice thick layer of straw or hay mulch as an effective first line of defence against birds eating grass seed.
"These barriers make it prohibitively difficult for our feathered friends to go exploring for those seed treasures until the grass sprouts take firm root is what you should be aiming to do," says Dr May.
Whatever coverage you choose should allow light and moisture to reach your seeds(Image credit: tanyss. Getty Images)
3. Try a grass seed mat
These products may turn out to be a good option for those looking for complete bird- protection. The mat is impregnated with grass seed which is simply rolled out onto your prepped area.
The mat ensures an even coverage and keeps the seed in place once it's been watered as the seed tends to become dislodged by water. As the seeds are integral to the mat, birds won't be able to eat them.
The mat retains moisture and biodegrades, eventually disappearing into your soil. The mat also keeps weeds from popping up during the germination process.
This is still a cheaper alternative than how much it costs to returf a lawn but be advised that product quality will vary massively depending on how much you're willing to spend. Don't be taken in by overly cheap products online as you might be disappointed with the results.
The cellulose fibres in this grass seed mat holds onto 10x more moisture than soil. It can be easily cut to size using ordinary scissors and will stay in place once watered.
“Birds have an aversion to reflective objects, with the glinting light looking like movement and making them retreat back to the tree branches," says James Ewens.
"Something as simple as tin foil or old CDs and DVDs can work wonders placed around your garden. Ensure they are secured so they don’t blow away. If you want something a bit more atmospheric, wind chimes can also be excellent for this task, and the noises they produce help to deter birds even more," says James.
Garden expert at MyJobQuote Fiona Jenkins recommends large, helium-filled Mylar balloons. "Ones with scary eyes or predator shapes can be effective deterrents, especially for small gardens," she says.
Fiona Jenkins
A landscaper and gardening expert with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Currently she works for MyJobQuote as their resident expert on all things gardening. She is highly knowledgeable and her expertise has been featured in many reputable publications.
Shop bird deterrents for your garden
Defenders Repeller ribbon
Apply this ribbon before the birds show up for best results. It's highly reflective and scatters light into the sight of approaching birds. It also makes a noise when it flickers in the wind.
Ultrasonic Fox Repellent, Wild Animal Scarer Repellent
This sensor can be charged by a USB if you find the solar battery too weak. There are different sensitivity settings that can be adjusted depending on the animal. The motion sensor emits an ultrasonic sound which will drive away birds.
Solar Motion-Activated Sprinkler Animal Repeller with 3 Modes Q2P5
The sensitivity of this motion sensor can be adjusted and it is easily attached to your garden hose. The solar powered sensor will go off when it detects movement and release the spray at your required distance.
The noise from a wind chime may deter birds from your garden(Image credit: blackwaterimages / Getty Images)
5. Scatter seed elsewhere as a decoy
If you don't want to discourage them from visiting your garden, an eco-friendly garden method of discouraging them from eating your grass seed can be to leave other food sources out for them, so they go for this rather than your grass seed.
"You could scatter bird seed in a different part of the garden, or hang some bird feeders up to keep them occupied," says James Ewens. "While there’s still a chance that they could stray and have a nibble at some of your grass seeds, it’s up to you if you think that it’s worth it for all the benefits having some birds around the garden can bring, e.g. fertilising, pollinating and pest control.”
Fiona Jenkins disagrees, however. Warning that additional food sources may just attract birds even more.
"Limit bird attractions in your garden. If possible, avoid feeders or birdbaths close to the areas you want to protect. Clean up spilt seeds regularly to discourage birds from lingering," says Fiona.
Birds eat pests as well as seed so deterring them altogether has its drawbacks(Image credit: shellhawker / Getty Images)
6. Invest in a motion activated device
"I have encountered tales of anecdotal success using motion-activated deterrent gizmos that startle birds through noise or water jets when they encroach on the seeded territory," says Dr Daisy May.
There are many options to buy including ones which look like garden ornaments, and so blend into your garden rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. Some sprinkler systems can also be set to motion activate, which not only waters your seeds sporadically but also keeps birds away.
"Just beware that birds are intelligent little adaptors - they may simply get unfazed by the tricks over time," advises Dr May.
Set your sprinkler to go off when motion is detected(Image credit: Konoplytska / Getty Images)
7. Use a specialist grass seed that birds don't like
"There's an array of seed coatings and repellents marketed to make grass seed unpalatable or even mildly irritating for birds. But from what I've seen, results on their deterrent powers tend to be pretty mixed," says Dr May.
These types of products have seeds individually wrapped in their parcel of lawn fertiliser, which feeds the seed rather than nearby weeds.
Shop coated grass seed for bird deterrent
Gro-Sure Aqua Gel Coated Smart Grass Lawn Seed
This seed uses an aqua gel coated to deter birds and wildlife. It also protects the seed from drying out, meaning it has a better chance of successfully sprouting if you forget to water it.
Johnsons Luxury Lawn Seed With SeedBooster
Seedbooster® coatings are unpalatable to birds and act as a harmless bird deterrent, ensuring that seeds are left alone to germinate. Seedbooster® is a two-in-one coating that was developed for the professional turf market. Each seed is wrapped in its parcel of fast and slow-release fertiliser
Miracle-Gro EverGreen Fast Grass Lawn Seed 480g
This lawn seed is coated, which makes it less attractive to birds. It also germinates super-quickly which will mean that seed is laid bare for less time.
Coated lawn seed will be less palatable to garden birds(Image credit: Deborah Lee Rossiter / Alamy Stock Photo)
8. Plan your seeding around the birds
Garden and lawn care specialist at Calibre Cleaning Phi Dang suggests the best time to sow grass seed in order to avoid the birds is in early spring or late autumn, as bird activities are minimal during these times.
Keep an eye on any areas of missing seed which may have formed and be vigilant about replacing with new seed quickly in order to prevent patchy growth.
Replace any missing seed regularly(Image credit: georgeclerk/Getty Images)
FAQs
Will tin foil stop birds eating grass seed?
"Tin foil can be somewhat effective at deterring birds from eating your grass seed, but it has limitations," warns Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote.
"The shiny surface of tin foil can create flashes of light that disorient and startle birds, making them less likely to land and eat the seeds. Also, tin foil is a budget-friendly option that most people already have around the house."
"However, birds can get used to the flashing lights over time and become bolder. Wind can also easily blow tin foil around, potentially harming plants or blowing away the seeds themselves," says Fiona.
Can you cover grass seed?
"Yes, covering grass seed is generally recommended after planting a new lawn. It’s helpful for protecting your lawn from birds as well as maintaining moisture, preventing erosion, and regulating temperature," says Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote.
"However, it's important to choose the right covering for your lawn. Avoid plastic sheeting, as this can trap too much moisture and heat. Use breathable fabric as these allow air and some moisture to reach the seeds while deterring birds and preventing erosion," she says.
Which birds eat grass seed?
Several birds like to eat grass seeds and can become a nuisance. Fiona Jenkins, a gardening expert at MyJobQuote outlines some of the most common birds that enjoy snacking on grass seeds:
Ground-feeding sparrows: Many sparrow varieties, such as house sparrows, field sparrows, and white-crowned sparrows, are notorious for feasting on grass seeds. They're quick and agile, adept at finding and consuming these small seeds.
Finches: Finches, with their pointed beaks designed for seed-eating, are another group of birds attracted to grass seed. Common varieties include goldfinches, house finches, and chickadees.
Doves and Pigeons: These larger birds also enjoy a meal of grass seed. While they might not be as agile as sparrows and finches they can still eat plenty of seed
Lawns can be difficult to cultivate and if you have had repeated bad luck with your lawn it might be time to ask yourself if it's worth continuing with.
More people are ditching their lawns and opting for low-maintenance gravel garden ideas instead.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
