seeds Seedlings and birds

[canis]

The darn pidgeons have kidnaped a couple of my seedlings and I wouldn´t count on them asking for any ransom.
As I can´t grow them inside and rather not start shooting animals, I wanted to ask if there´s any home remedy for this. Something I could spray on my babies for the birds to loose interest. I could cover them up, but doing so each day sounds like too much of a hassle (I know Im a lazy B).
Thanks in advance!

 

[Scovie]

We have had this problem with Robins.
And not just Chile Plants, just about any new sprout that comes out of the ground.
They think the new sprouts are worms or some such...
Once the plants get past their 'seed leaves' stage, the birds will loose interest.
If you can cover them with wire mesh until then, you only have to do it once.
Or wait to transplant them until they get a little bigger???

Good luck Canis!

 

[chsy83]

I lost many plants this past season to black birds.

 

[canis]

The wire mesh sounds like a good idea. Will try that. Thx.

 

[GA Growhead]

I like to cut the bottom out of a plastic gallon milk or water jug. Then put over the sprouts. Like a mini green house. The hole up top give ventilation to keep from getting too hot. I do this with in ground plants. You could probably put them over small pots too.