How to Keep Birds from Eating Grass Seed: 10 Effective Methods

Why Birds Eat Grass Seed

Birds are naturally attracted to grass seed for several reasons:

• High Protein and Fat Content: Grass seed contains proteins and fats that birds need in their diets, especially during breeding season when they are feeding nestlings. The high calorie content makes it an appealing food source. Most grass seed varieties are 10-20% protein and contain healthy fats that help meet birds’ high energy needs.
• Easy Access: When grass seed is spread on the ground in spring or fall, it provides birds with easy access to this nutritious food source. The seed is just sitting on top of the soil, ready to eat. Birds don’t have to work hard to get the reward of this abundant food. Newly seeded lawns are buffets waiting to be devoured.
• Color and Smell: The size, shape, color, and smell of grass seed attracts birds. Visually, the contrast of the seed on the lawn catches their eye. The aroma is also enticing. Birds have excellent color vision and a strong sense of smell that brings them right to newly seeded lawns. Species like robins use their sight to locate lawns with seed while grackles use smell to hone in.

During times of high energy needs, like nesting season or cold winters, birds can become quite persistent in seeking out accessible, high-calorie food sources like grass seed. Robins in particular aggressively defend seeded areas from other birds and will consume seed rapidly.

Backyard birders may notice a wider variety of species visiting their lawn after seeding, when birds you may not normally see are suddenly drawn in. Birds also have good memories and will return to seeded lawns for free meals year after year if not deterred.

What Types of Birds Eat Grass Seed?

Many common backyard bird species are attracted to grass seed buffets:

• Sparrows: House sparrows and chipping sparrows scavenge in flocks and can make a mess of seeded areas. Their small size lets them access seeds easily.
• Finches: House finches actively forage on the ground for seeds and will seek out fresh seeding. Purple finches, goldfinches, and siskins may also feed on grass seed.
• Doves: Mourning doves are a frequent lawn visitor that consume grass seed voraciously. Their mellow nature means they stick around even when deterred.
• Blackbirds: Red-winged blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and starlings form large, noisy flocks that can decimate seed quickly.
• Robins: Robins are extremely territorial over seeded areas, aggressively chasing away other birds. They consume seed rapidly.
• Grackles: Grackles use their sense of smell to hone in on newly seeded lawns. Large flocks descend for feeding frenzies.
• Quail: Coveys of quail search the ground for seed sources and can wipe out grass seed in short order.
• Pheasants: Ring-necked pheasants will eat grass seed and can do significant damage.

The high calorie, high protein composition of grass seed makes it attractive for ground-feeding birds of all types looking for an easy meal. Small birds can rapidly consume pound after pound. Certain aggressive, territorial birds like robins also damage seeding by digging it up rather than eating it.

Backyard bird lovers may welcome an influx of interesting new species drawn in by seeding, but it’s best not to encourage this. Deterring them from the start prevents dependency.

When Are Birds Most Likely to Eat Grass Seed?

Birds seek out grass seed at certain times of year when energy needs are highest:

• Spring Through Fall During Nesting Season: Parent birds have very high energy needs when feeding chicks and will actively seek out protein and fat sources. They also lose wariness and become emboldened around humans when gathering food for offspring.
• Early Morning and Evening: Bird feeding activity peaks in the hour after dawn and before dusk as they replenish energy. Seeding exposed during low light hours will be most vulnerable.
• After Seed is Spread and Before Germination: The window between seed application and sprouting leaves it an exposed feast. Once grass sprouts and matures, the seed becomes harder to access and less palatable.

Spring and fall are peak seeding times, coinciding with nesting season. The freshly seeded lawn becomes an irresistible bird buffet. In the mornings, birds will move quickly between yards to take advantage of the smorgasbord and consume as much as possible before humans are active.

Birds also learn patterns and intentionally target freshly seeded areas, often arriving en masse soon after the seeding truck leaves. The abundant food source fuels breeding and helps birds raise more young successfully.

10 Ways to Keep Birds From Eating Grass Seed

Deterring birds quickly and persistently is key to prevent them from demolishing grass seed and establishing difficult-to-break feeding patterns. Here are 10 effective methods:

Use Physical Barriers

Physical barriers can be very effective at denying bird access, especially when used properly:

• Weighted Netting: Special bird netting with weights sewn in along the edges can be laid over freshly seeded areas and secured to keep birds off until grass sprouts. This is one of the most reliable deterrents.
• Plastic Bird Netting: Stretched over hoops, simple plastic bird netting can prevent access and be removed later. Make sure netting is secured tight to the ground.
• Loosely Cover Seeded Area with Burlap: A loose layer of burlap laid over seed acts as camouflage and hides it from birds. Remove burlap once grass emerges.
• Use Hardware Cloth to Cover Small Areas: Hardware cloth is wire mesh that can be laid over seed in small areas that need protection. Weigh it down on edges.

The key with physical barriers is proper installation. Any openings or gaps will be exploited by birds, so edges must be secured firmly to exclude access. Check for and repair any breaches.

Use Visual Deterrents

Birds are highly visual and startled by strange objects invading their space. Visual scare tactics work best when moved periodically so birds don’t become accustomed. Useful deterrents include:

• Scarecrow Nearby: Position a life-size scarecrow near seeded areas. Move occasionally to startle birds. Include lifelike elements like clothing.
• Fake Animals Such as Snakes or Owls: Birds fear predators. Place realistic fake snakes, owls or hawks nearby and periodically relocate them.
• Scary Decoys Like Hawk Kites: Special hawk kites made to look like raptors soaring overhead can be tethered and flown above lawns. Birds will avoid seeded areas.
• Aluminum Pans That Spin and Reflect Light: Suspend pans that reflect sunlight and spin in the wind. The flashing light and movement deter birds.
• Pinwheels: Similar to pans, pinwheels spinning in the breeze startle birds with motion and flashing colors. Position these liberally around seeded lawn areas.

Use Sound Deterrents

Birds are sensitive to loud noises and will avoid seeding areas with alarming sounds. Effective acoustic deterrents include:

• Motion Activated Sprinkler: Sprinklers triggered by a bird’s movement will scare it away. The unexpected blast of water startles birds.
• Ultrasonic Device: Ultrasonic sound units broadcast high frequency sounds we can’t hear but birds find irritating and will avoid. Position them near seeding.
• Wind Chimes: The tinkling of wind chimes is an unsettling sound that keeps birds away. Place chimes on porches or trees near seeded lawns.

Automated sound deterrents like motion sprinklers can provide 24/7 protection while saving water compared to constantly running sprinklers.

Use Smell Deterrents

Birds have a strong sense of smell. Unpleasant odors sprinkled around seeded areas can effectively repel them. Options include:

• Garlic, Chili or Menthol Oil: Soak cotton balls in these potent oils and set around lawn areas. The strong smell overwhelms birds’ olfactory senses.
• Predator Urine Such as Coyote or Fox: The smell of predator pee alarms birds and signals danger. Look for these at garden stores. Reapply after rain.
• Methyl Anthranilate: This is a non-toxic cranberry-scented bird repellent safe for lawns. Available under brands like BirdBGone.

Smell deterrents create an inhospitable environment. Use them liberally around the lawn perimeter and interior to blanket the whole area. Heavy rain will necessitate reapplication.

Use Taste Deterrents

Treating grass seed with a non-toxic repellent alters the taste profile and causes birds to avoid treated areas.

• Methyl Anthranilate: Can be used as both a smell and taste deterrent. Coating seed with it before planting makes the seed unpalatable.
• Non-toxic Chemical Repellents: Products like FlightControl Plus use anthraquinone to alter taste and discourage feeding on treated seed. Always follow label instructions.

Taste deterrents are useful when seeding large areas that are hard to cover with barriers. The downside is needing to treat seed properly ahead of time for full effectiveness.

Allow Pets in Yard

Letting pets like dogs and cats roam the yard can deter birds from settling in and feeding on grass seed. Their presence and scent helps keep birds away. But don’t allow them to dig up or step on newly seeded areas.

Manage Food Sources

Don’t give birds more reasons to congregate on your property during seeding:

• Use Bird Feeders Away From Lawn: Locate feeders and bird baths far from the lawn to avoid tempting birds into the area.
• Clean Up Spilled Seed: Quickly clean up any spilled bird seed that could attract scavenging birds.
• Cover Compost Piles: Don’t allow access to compost heaps which provide fruit and seeds birds might forage.

Plant Unattractive Seed First

Putting down inexpensive seed birds dislike before the desirable grass seed can help divert them.

• Annual Ryegrass: Quick growing annual ryegrass sprouts fast. The bitter taste deters birds once sprouted.
• Wheat or Corn Kernels: Birds dislike wheat and corn. An initial sacrificial layer makes the actual lawn seed less visible.

The key is making sure unattractive seed fully sprouts before applying grass seed so there’s no interval for birds to get accustomed to feeding.

Reapply Seed As Needed

If birds consume grass seed before it can sprout, promptly reapply more seed to disturbed areas. Don’t wait and allow them to develop a habit.

• Reseed Damaged Areas: Identify decimated areas and re-sow fresh seed, using deterrents. Lightly rake areas first to reprepare the soil.
• Act Quickly: Don’t delay reseeding which allows birds to establish destructive patterns. Persist until grass takes hold.

Be prepared to continually reapply seed if needed until the grass establishes and is unattractive to birds. Don’t surrender ground to the birds.

Apply at Optimal Time

When you seed can make a difference in germination success. Ideal timing includes:

• Spring or Fall When Birds Are Less Active: Nesting season creates peak activity. Early spring or late fall seeding avoids this.
• After Heavy Rain When Soil is Moist: Seeding when soil is wet helps seed adhere and sprout faster, reducing the window for bird damage.
• When Temperatures Are Mild: Cool spring and fall temps allow grass to mature at an ideal pace out of sync with peak bird feeding needs.

When to Call a Professional

In severe cases of bird infestation, professional help may be needed:

• For Large Properties or Recurring Issues: Those dealing with acres of seed or chronic bird problems turn to pros.
• If Over Half of Seed is Consumed: Significant enough loss to justify paying for abatement service.
• Specialized Tools and Tactics: Pros have high end tools like lasers, drones, mist nets and falconry birds for hire.
• Stage an Intervention: Sometimes you need a highly trained specialist to solve an out of control problem.

Conclusion

Birds consume grass seed due to its high protein and fat content and ease of access when spread on lawns. Species like robins, grackles, finches, and doves cause the most damage. Spring and fall during nesting times create peak activity issues.

The key is deterring birds quickly and persistently with physical barriers, scare tactics, habitat modification and timing strategies. Be prepared to reapply seed as needed until grass matures. Don’t allow birds to establish destructive feeding patterns.

With persistence and an integrated approach combining several deterrents, you can win the battle against birds devouring seed and enjoy a lush new lawn. Careful timing and rapid action gives grass a fighting chance against feathered invaders.

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