Research carried out on the control of birds around crops always concludes that birds hate change, says the team at Pestgard.

The company fully recognises this and supplies sound repeller systems with plug-in micro chips that can easily be changed weekly or at whatever time is desired. 

With an electronic library of more than 50 sounds for vineyards, users can have at least four different sound chips to continually confuse the birds and scare them away. 

These sounds simulate a danger zone to birds that they will want to keep away from. Normally, the equipment is set up in “random” mode so that the eight sounds on a chip are not played in the same sequence and the delay time between soundings is also varied.

Another effective option, says Pestgard, is to play the sounds in a sequence and set up a mini bird drama. A sound chip is programmed with bird warning calls followed by predator calls like the New Zealand Falcon which are then followed by distress calls.

Pestgard also carries a range of visual deterrents with the Falcon Kite the most amazing of all. Ideally it is flown on a 2-4 metre cord from a telescopic pole kit. The kite flaps its wings and dives in the wind currents. Check out the video on the company’s website: www.pestgard.co.nz.

Gas guns help to add to the changing environment. A new shipment from Europe is arriving early in March with models to mount on quad bikes and models on tripods for $ 744 plus GST. Stock is limited.

“Birds hate change. The more you throw at them, the better,” says Pestgard. 

Any bird-scare equipment should also be shifted regularly to keep confusing and scaring any remaining birds until harvest. It should then be packed away until next season.