If you want to keep birds away from your crops, scarecrows are an effective and pocket-friendly approach to protect your harvest. Scarecrows can be made easily with a few simple materials. Made from old clothes, hay, wood, straws, and a hat, the scarecrow looks like a human figure. They are a low-cost and low-maintenance way to keep birds away from your crops.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step instructions to create your very own scarecrow.
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See also: How to make a tree swing using a rope?
Why is a scarecrow needed?
A scarecrow protects crops from birds and other pests that may eat or damage them. Scarecrows fool birds and pests into thinking that there is a human presence on the farm, thus making them fearful to approach. Scarecrows are also helpful in keeping birds away from newly planted or germinating seeds. By creating a scarecrow, you can minimise the loss of your harvest.
Design and Placement
● Scarecrow designs can vary widely, but they typically consist of a frame or structure with clothing or other materials draped over it.
● The clothing used for scarecrows is often old and worn, including items such as shirts, pants, gloves and hats.
● A scarecrow’s head can be represented by a carved pumpkin, a cloth sack, or even a painted gourd. Some scarecrows have more elaborate facial features, while others are more simple.
● Scarecrows are strategically placed in fields or gardens, usually near the crops they are meant to protect.
● Some scarecrows are static, while others are designed to move in the wind, which can be more effective at scaring away birds.
Step-by-step guide to help you build a scarecrow
Materials required
- Wood
- Saw
- Wooden glue, nails and screws
- An old pillowcase or a sack
- Ropes or wires
- Markers
- Old clothes
- Gloves, hat and boots
Procedure
Build the frame
The frame serves as the backbone of the scarecrow, so make sure you pick out a sturdy wood that is durable and can handle weight.
- Cut the wooden board into two pieces about four foot and six foot long with a saw. If needed, sand the edges of the wood with a sandblock.
- Take the longer piece and place it vertically on a surface, and place the shorter piece horizontally near the top of the longer one. This piece will create the arms of the scarecrow. Make sure to leave enough space at the top for the head and enough space at the bottom for the post.
- Now, glue or hammer nails into the intersection to attach the two pieces together.
Make the head
Take an old pillowcase or a sack and stuff some hay and straw in it. Form it into a round ball and draw facial features on it with markers or paint. For the head, you can also use a plastic pumpkin or a ball. Attach the head to the top of the frame with wires, making sure it is securely fastened.
Dress the scarecrow
Now, it is time to dress up the scarecrow. Take some old clothes that you no longer wear, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants and a hat. Put the shirt on the frame and button it up. Tie the ends of the sleeves with a rope or wire. Similarly, put the pants on and fasten its ends. If needed, use screws to keep the clothes securely in place.
Stuff the scarecrow’s clothes
Now, you are required to stuff the clothes of the scarecrow to give it a human-like body appearance. Use straws, newspapers and hays and stuff them to fill the clothes. Start to add the stuffing from the corners of the sleeves, pants and hat to make the scarecrow look realistic. Make sure the stuffing is evenly distributed and not too bulky. Fasten the clothes with ropes to make sure they are in place.
Add a hat, gloves and boots
Put gloves on the ends of the sleeves and fill them with stuffing. Then, tuck the ends of the shirt sleeves into the gloves and secure them with a rope. Similarly, place shoes on the ends of the pants and stuff them, tucking in the ends and fastening with rope. Add a hat or a wig on the head and secure it.
Place the scarecrow
Now, insert the frame into the ground. Secure your scarecrow to the ground to prevent it from falling or being carried away by the wind. Make sure your scarecrow is stable and visible to the birds from all angles.
Modern alternatives
While traditional scarecrows are still used today, modern agriculture has introduced more effective methods of bird and pest control. Farmers often use netting, reflective tape or electronic devices that emit sound or light to deter birds and animals. Additionally, chemical and organic pest control methods have become common to protect crops.
FAQs
Which is the best spot to place the scarecrow?
You should place the scarecrow in a spot which is visible to all the birds where they usually come.
Are scarecrows effective in scaring away the birds?
Scarecrows appear like a human, so they are beneficial in scaring away small animals and birds.
How do I secure the clothes to the frame?
Secure the clothes by fastening them with ropes around their ends. You can also use screws to keep the clothes in place.
What should the height of my scarecrow be?
Scarecrow height should be between five and six feet.
How do I keep the scarecrow in place?
Use a hammer to push the pole into the ground. Make sure it is stable and will withstand bad weather.
How do I make the scarecrow's face?
You can draw or paint facial features on the face. You can even use buttons and other materials to make it more attractive.
How do I protect the scarecrow from bad weather?
Make sure that the scarecrow is securely fastened to the ground. For severe weather conditions, consider removing the scarecrow from the spot.
Can I make the scarecrow more effective?
Add reflective objects like CDs or shiny materials to the scarecrow.
Do I need to clean the scarecrow?
You can gently brush off any dirt or debris with an old cloth.
Are there any alternatives to hays and straws?
You can use shredded paper, dried leaves, or newspapers.
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