How to Get Rid of Magpies in Your Garden
Magpies are highly intelligent and, from afar, are lovely birds to observe. However, they can cause problems for gardeners. Learning how to get rid of magpies from your garden can help restore the calm and serenity you want to create.
We've put together some of our top tips to keep magpies out of your garden in a safe, humane, and legal way so you, your pets, and other wildlife can enjoy the space you've curated.
5 Proven Tips to Get Rid of Magpies:
- Tip 1: Cover Plants with 50mm Netting – Protect fruit, vegetables, and garden areas with a safe 50mm mesh netting, which deters large magpies from scavenging while keeping small garden birds safe.
- Tip 2: Hang Light-Reflecting Objects – Affix reflective bird tape or hang old CDs around the garden; the sudden light reflections startle magpies and effectively keep them away.
- Tip 3: Use Audible Scaring Devices – Deploy devices that emit loud noises or predator bird calls to make magpies uncomfortable and frighten them off your property.
- Tip 4: Secure Open Food Sources – Remove opportunistic feeding grounds by tightly securing bins and compost, and temporarily removing small bird feeders for a month.
- Tip 5: Keep Gutters Clean and Clear – Clean debris out of your gutters at least once a year to eliminate hidden food sources and nesting materials that attract bird activity.
Remember That Magpies Are Protected
Before you start filling your garden with all the deterrents you can get your hands on and shooing nesting magpies away, remember that magpies are protected under UK law.
The UK Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) was designed to protect Britain's natural charm and wildlife from deliberate harm under penalty of the law. In terms of birds, this means several things.
It is illegal to move, damage, or destroy the nest or egg of any wild bird, whether the nest is in the process of being built or whether it is already finished.
Essentially, if the Magpies have found a home in your garden, you cannot force them out. However, you are well within your rights to try to deter them from coming into your garden to start with.
Tip One: Cover Areas with Netting Where Possible
Magpies might enjoy your garden because of the food sources that they have found there. If you grow fruit or veg in your garden or you have any other sources of food, then consider laying down some bird netting.
It makes it harder for the birds to scavenge and will encourage them to find easier food sources elsewhere.
How To Choose The Right Netting For Magpies
The size of netting mesh is crucial to ensure an effective and safe barrier for birds. A 50mm mesh is ideal for deterring magpies, as it prevents them from accessing your garden while reducing the risk of entanglement, protecting both your plants and the birds.
It also makes sense to consider what you are growing and what type of netting would work best. Eventually, the magpies will get bored, find another source of food and leave your garden alone.
Tip Two - Hang Objects That Reflect Light
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Magpies are startled by light reflections, and this can be an effective method in helping to keep them out of your garden. There are a couple of ways that you can do this. Firstly, old CDs are great at catching and reflecting light, so if you have any, hang them up around your garden at intervals.
If you haven't got any old CDs to use, then you can buy bird tape either online or from your local garden centre or pet shop.
Bird tape is simply reflective tape that really does the same thing as hanging a CD would, except you affix it to certain areas of the garden, and because it is largely immovable, you will want to think about where to stick it to ensure maximum reflections.
Tip Three - Use an Audible Bird Scaring Device
Audible bird-scaring devices do exactly what they say on the tin. They emit noises designed to frighten away the birds. They could be predator bird calls or other loud noises that make them uncomfortable or startle them away. They can be incredibly effective too.
That being said, birds have a similar range of hearing to humans, which means that you are more than likely going to be able to hear the device, too, which could be annoying.
Some products claim to use ultrasonic waves, but these do not tend to work, or at the very least, they don't work as well.
Tip Four - Don't Leave Food in Open Spaces
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Magpies are scavenger birds; in addition to trying to pilfer some of the fruit and veg that you grow, they will take what they can get.
If you have any other food sources, they will be in it. To keep them at bay, you should secure your bins, compost, and anything else that they might eat.
If you enjoy leaving out birdseed or having bird feeders for smaller garden birds, it's a good idea to stop doing this for a month or so. Magpies are opportunistic, and if you remove their food sources, they will go elsewhere.
Once you reintroduce the bird feeders, garden birds will return.
Securing Bins With Netting
Installing magpie-appropriate netting over your bins is an effective way to deter these birds. Secure the netting tightly over the bin lids to prevent magpies from gaining access to waste.
This simple solution helps keep your surroundings clean while discouraging the opportunistic behaviour of magpies without harming them.
Always ensure the netting is properly fixed.
Tip Five - Keep Your Gutters Clean
The debris that can collect in your gutters can also form the basis of a lovely little meal for the local magpies. If you want to keep them away, then you should also make sure that your gutters are clean and clear.
Keeping your gutters clean is something that you should be doing anyway for the structural integrity of your home as a whole.
For the most part, your gutters shouldn't need cleaning or emptying more than once a year. However, if you notice more bird activity or if you seem to have drainage issues when it rains, then this could indicate a build-up.
Conclusion: Keeping a Magpie-Free Garden
Magpies can be a real nuisance in your garden. They are noisy, destroy plants, and bully other visiting birds. Because they are highly persistent, getting rid of them is often a challenge.
Since magpies are a protected species, you cannot harm them. So, your only option is to deter them, and the methods outlined above are ideal measures to keep them away.
Get Quality Bird Netting From Huck Nets
At Huck Nets, we're experts in bird deterrent netting, offering a wide range of high-quality options designed to keep your garden free from magpies and safeguard your plants. Our durable and effective netting solutions are perfect for any outdoor space.
Browse our full range of fixed-size and made-to-order bird netting online today!
FAQs
How Do I Permanently Get Rid Of Magpies?
To permanently deter magpies, use durable bird netting, eliminate food sources, and install reflective deterrents or decoys to create an unwelcoming environment for these birds.
What Frightens Magpies?
Loud noises, reflective objects, and predator decoys can frighten magpies and keep them away from your property effectively.
When Will My Magpie Netting Be Delivered?
Most netting orders are shipped within 3-5 days and delivered quickly via an overnight courier, ensuring fast and efficient service for your bird control needs.
Is Magpie Netting Safe To Use Around Small Garden Birds?
Yes, magpie netting is safe for small garden birds as it is designed to deter larger birds while allowing smaller species to move freely and remain unharmed.