Implementation of New IPM Technologies in Blueberries and Strawberries

Abstract

Birds can be a major pest of blueberries. In a recent survey, blueberry growers in the Northeast estimated that they lost nearly 30% of their crop to birds. Control options include chemical repellents such as methyl anthranilate or Keyplex foliar fertilizers. Neither is effective and both have undesirable taste or smell side effects. Audio scare devices have been tested and may offer partial solutions, but birds habituate to them quickly. Some birds do not have the enzymes to digest polysaccharides. Sucrose sprays were tested on small plots by Pritts and coworkers in 1996 with promising results. The objective of this study was to test sucrose as a bird repellent on large plots and evaluate the effectiveness of an improved version of an audio scare device, the Bird Gard Super ABC.