Deer Control

OVS offers a variety of methods for deer control. The most effective control is a fence (see Fencing).  An option for very young grapevines would be a grow tube (see Grow Tubes).  There are also several chemicals that can be sprayed directly on the plant to deter eating. For example:

Miller’s Hot Sauce:  Includes 2.5% capsaicin.  It is effective on fruits, nut trees, vegetables, vine crops and ornamentals. The Hot Sauce must be premixed with Vaporgard or Nu Film 17 for best efficacy. Deer won’t nibble more than once!

Bobbex: This product is an organic deer repellent made from beef and fish by-products. Bobbex breaks down into five or six sulfide compounds which deer, raccoons and other pets can’t tolerate because of the smell and the taste.

Deer Away:  Deer Away Deer & Rabbit Repellent is designed to protect plants, trees and shrubs from browsing damage caused by deer, big game and other animals such as rabbits & squirrels.  Deer Away contains a latex binder that resists washing off.  Under normal conditions, Deer Away will protect your trees and shrubs for up to 3 months.

Bird Control

Controlling birds in a blueberry field or wine grape vineyard can be a huge challenge. Here are a few bird facts.

• Large flocks of birds are easier to scare than small ones.

• Starlings will fly 25 km from a roosting site to feed, flying at up to 70 km/hr in short bursts.

• Bird damage is usually localized and not uniformly distributed throughout an area.

• Birds are opportunists, feeding on whatever is available

• It is difficult to break birds of the habit of feeding in a particular area once they are established.

• Birds establish their home territory in late April and May and often remain in the area until the crop ripens.

• Crops near roosting or nesting areas, woodlots, rivers or ponds are more vulnerable than those in the open.

• Birds acclimate quickly to uniform movements or noise patterns.

• Birds can be diverted to other nearby feeding areas.

• Birds will endure significant hardship to feed.

• Birds often follow the same flight patterns to feed. Birds usually feed early in the morning around sunrise and late in the afternoon around sunset.

• Birds like to drink water when they feed

• Some birds travel in migratory flocks, while others fly in from the local woods

• Birds feeding on your crop will attract other birds, compounding the problem.

• The sweeter and earlier the grape, the more attractive it is to the birds.

Facts adapted from Bird Control on Grape and Tender Fruit Farms, published by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 1998.

The research and experiences of OVS/RP associates with vineyards and other local farmers has led OVS to recommend the following products:

Netting

The most effective bird control tool is placing a physical barrier between the crop and the bird.  OVS sells the Conwed brand of bird netting.  It is a ¾” x ¾” plastic mesh with UV inhibitor. It has a 30-36 month lifespan under constant sunlight, and should deter all problem birds. Blueberry growers typically build a frame above the fruit on which to lay the netting. Wine grape growers or blueberry growers with trellis systems will typically install the bird netting directly onto the trellis poles or posts and hook the net together underneath the fruit with plastic clips.

The most effective way to deter birds is to “mix-up” use of several different methods, as this keeps the birds confused and they do not habituate to any one method of control.