How to Keep Birds Out of Ferns (Without Losing Your Mind)

Alright, let’s talk about something that should be relaxing, growing lush, leafy ferns on your porch or in your garden. But if you’re here, you’re probably wondering how to keep birds out of ferns without losing your mind in the process.

I love birds. I write about birds. But even I’ll admit, there’s a time and place, and that place isn’t inside my Boston fern, turning it into a five-star nesting suite.

If birds are trashing your ferns, making a mess, or just constantly flapping around your porch like they own the place, you’re not alone. This is a weirdly common problem, and no, you’re not being “anti-nature” for wanting to reclaim your hanging basket from a family of stubborn house finches.

There are easier ways to deal with it than sitting outside with a spray bottle and a headlamp at 6am (ask me how I know 🙃). Let’s break down what actually works.

Understand Why Birds Love Your Ferns So Much

Before we go all Home Alone on them, let’s figure out what makes ferns so dang appealing to birds.

It’s the Real Estate, Baby

Birds aren’t picking your ferns at random. They’re not trying to annoy you personally (though it sure feels like it). Here’s why they’re obsessed:

• Dense foliage = good cover from predators
• Hanging baskets = height = safety
• Shady, humid spots = comfy for nests
• You water them = built-in spa amenities

Basically, you’ve built the Ritz-Carlton of nesting spots.

If you can understand what they’re looking for, you can tweak your setup just enough to make them lose interest. Which brings us to…

Move the Ferns Temporarily (If You Can)

This is one of the easiest, no-drama solutions, and it actually works.

If your ferns are in hanging baskets, and you haven’t yet seen a nest or eggs, just move them somewhere less cozy for a couple of weeks. Birds are seasonal squatters. Once the nesting window passes, you can hang them back up.

Best Places to Relocate:

• Inside your garage or shed
• Under a patio table
• Inside the house near a bright window
• Somewhere lower to the ground (less attractive)

Don’t wait until there’s already a nest. Once birds settle in and lay eggs, you’re legally stuck with them (yep, even the annoying ones, thanks, Migratory Bird Treaty Act).

Use Bird Deterrents That Won’t Wreck Your Vibe

Let’s be honest. Some bird deterrents look like something out of a gas station parking lot. You don’t want your cozy porch turning into a mini scarecrow festival. So here are low-key but effective options:

Shiny Objects (Yes, They Still Work)

Birds hate random flashing light. These ideas actually blend in with your décor:

• Old CDs or DVDs (tie with fishing line, hello 2005)
• Small mirrors tucked into the fern
• Holographic tape wound around the basket hook

Just a bit of shine goes a long way.

Garden Spinners or Pinwheels

These give birds the creeps. No clue why, but the movement freaks them out. Pick something colorful that looks intentional, not like a fourth-grade science project.

Make the Ferns Less Nest-Worthy

You don’t need to ruin your plant, just tweak a few things to make it less of a cozy bird bed.

Add Some Obstruction

Stick a few of these in the pot:

• Plastic forks, tines-up (seriously, it works)
• Small bamboo skewers
• Fake plants or vines woven through to make less room

Birds like flat, safe space to build. If it feels pokey or crowded, they’ll peace out.

Trim the Undergrowth

Keep your fern tidy. Thin out those deep interior branches so it doesn’t feel like a rainforest cave. Less privacy = less interest from birds.

Try Natural Bird Repellents (Safe + Easy)

You can use scent-based or texture-based repellents that birds dislike, but won’t bother you or your pets.

Citrus Spray

Birds hate citrus. You can:

• Mix lemon juice + water in a spray bottle
• Add a couple drops of citrus essential oil
• Lightly mist the area around your fern (not directly on the plant if it’s sensitive)

Vinegar Trick

White vinegar diluted with water can work too, but use sparingly and never on the plant itself. Just dab around the pot or rim.

Bonus: Peppermint

Peppermint oil is another deterrent that smells fresh (for you) and awful (for them). Soak a cotton ball and tuck it discreetly in the basket liner.

Netting, Wire, or Garden Cloche (When You’re Desperate)

Okay, if you’ve tried the friendly stuff and the birds are still treating your fern like Airbnb, it might be time for something a bit more solid.

Mesh or Bird Netting

You can drape light garden mesh or bird netting over the top of your fern. It keeps birds out without damaging the plant.

Just don’t wrap it too tight. You still want air and water to get through.

Chicken Wire Dome

If your fern is in a pot, you can shape a chicken wire dome over the top like a little cage. Again, light, loose, not permanent.

I’ve also seen people make DIY cloches out of tomato cages and mesh. Not pretty, but effective. 🤷‍♀️

Keep the Area Less Bird-Friendly Overall

Sometimes the fern is just the final straw. If your yard is basically a bird buffet, they’ll keep coming back.

Things That Attract Birds Nearby:

• Bird feeders too close to your porch
• Bird baths right next to your hanging plants
• Uncovered compost or trash
• Overgrown shrubs or ivy

Try moving bird feeders or baths farther away from your porch or patio. You don’t need to evict all the birds, just encourage them to chill a little farther from your fern babies.

Bonus Tips That Sound Weird (But Work)

Alright, here’s the part where I throw in the oddball stuff. I’ve seen all of these work… some better than others.

Plastic Predator Decoys

A tiny plastic owl or hawk figurine near your fern might scare smaller birds off. You’ll need to move it every few days or they’ll catch on. (Birds are not as dumb as people think.)

Motion Sensor Noise

There are motion-activated sound makers or sprinklers. Just… be warned. These might scare the birds, but they’ll also scare your cat, your dog, your mailman, and maybe your soul. Use with caution.

Hanging Wind Chimes

It’s hit or miss. Some birds find them annoying, others just ignore them and treat them like ambient spa music. Worth a try.

Wait, Is It Illegal to Move a Nest?

Yep. If a bird has already built a nest with eggs or babies inside, it’s protected by law in most places (thanks, MBTA, not the subway, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act).

Don’t touch the nest. Don’t move it. Don’t spray near it. Just wait it out. Most birds will move on in 2–4 weeks once the babies can fly.

Annoying? Yes. But at least it’s not forever.

Final Thoughts: You vs. The Birds

If you’ve made it this far, congrats, you’re officially smarter than a house finch.

Keeping birds out of ferns takes some trial and error, but it doesn’t have to become a full-blown turf war. Start with the simple stuff: move the plant, add a little visual deterrent, and make the fern a little less cozy. Most birds will get the hint and look elsewhere.

And hey, worst case? You learn a few things about bird psychology and end up with a new respect for how determined (and picky) they are. 😅

Now go protect those ferns. You earned it.