How to Protect Blueberry Plants from Animals

Animals and birds tend to ignore blueberries until they are ripe.

Summer ripened blueberries provide their sweet fruits to desserts, jams and table use. Animals and birds are also attracted to the ripening berries and will get to the harvest before you do if the bushes aren't protected. Birds are the main plunderer of blueberry crops, but squirrels, raccoons and deer are also attracted to the small fruits. Protecting your blueberry bushes from these animal pests before the berries fully ripen helps ensure the blueberries are still on the bush when you have time to harvest them.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Bird netting
• Mulch
• Foil strips

Instructions

1. Install a stake on either end of the blueberry bush, setting each stake 6 to 8 inches away from the outermost branches of the bush. Use a stake 1 foot taller than the bush and drive the stake 6 inches into the ground.

2. Place two more stakes on the opposite side of the blueberry bush. The four stakes form a box around the bush.

3. Drape a sheet of bird netting over the stakes. Arrange the netting so the bottom of the net trails on the ground on all sides of the bush.

4. Mound mulch or soil on top the netting where it drapes on the ground. Anchor all sides of the netting so birds and animals can't access the bushes by going under the netting.

5. Tie strips of shiny, foil coated paper to the netting. The paper flutters in the wind, frightening away both birds and animals.

Tips & Warnings

• Whirley-gigs and other moving garden devices also work to frighten away birds and animals.

• Place the netting over the bushes about two weeks before the berries ripen. Most animals ignore immature berries.

References

• Iowa State University Extension; Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden; Richard Jauron; March 2001
• Rutgers Cooperative Extension; Blueberry Pest Management for Home Gardens; William J. Sciarappa, et al.; January 2005