need bug eaters, not destroyers!

[mountaincircus]

i am in desperated need of a bird that can live in my garden and is mainly a bug eating type, i refuse to spray my veggies, but the bugs are doing their worst and i am curious whether or not there is a bird i could raise in my garden to eat them that won't destroy everything, i've owned several different types of birds and none of them fit the bill, guineas were probably the closest but they are still pretty destructive, i was thinking about maybe a small game bird type like pheasants or quail maybe, but don't want to get them without some foresight on their nature, any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DTchickens]

I would think the smaller the bird the better, larger birds (chickens, geese, ducks, etc) will damage your garden and I speak from experience. Chickens will mainly only pick off the fruit (tomatoes and so on, if you have a flower garden it may be fine). Geese though will eat the whole plant just about in my experience.

God bless,
Daniel.


Also... I hear you can buy lady bugs to release in your garden to take care of aphids and so on. A orange oil solution (take the peels and soak in water) can get rid of the bugs without having to use chemicals to spray.

 

[Chasity]

I think it depends on what type of bugs. We do a number of things in our gardens,including turning birds in them. When I go into the garden I have a basket for the house, and a bucket fo fuit with spots, or off the ground. The beds are raised also. I have went out and baby sat them though. If they get somewhere I don't want them I move them. Coyote Bait is a survivour, and does great weed and feed for me. He is surprisingly a good baby-bird-sitter too. I hope you find something that works well for you.