Laser bird-deterrent technology
Effective and environmentally friendly solution for vineyards
H
8
umans have been farming
There have been several studies
across growing regions throughout
wine grapes for almost 8,000
that focused on the effects that our
North America.
years, and you can bet they
avian friends have in our vineyards.
have been battling birds in
There are two types of bird damage
Vineyard bird pest species have very particular foraging habits. The
their vineyards for that same amount
in a vineyard: pluck damage and
of time. Viticulture is one of the most
peck damage. Pluck damage is when
birds do not generally live or nest
rewarding forms of farming. It gives
a berry is forcibly removed from
in the vineyard rows, and they are
you a direct link to all of the subtle
the pedicle and results in crop loss.
always opportunistic foragers. This
nuances of your land; your soil and
Peck damage occurs when the birds
is good news for the vineyard farmer
vines are personified in the wines
are testing the fruit. They peck the
because with simple planning they
that they make. But, we finally get
skins, exposing the sugary pulp
can stay ahead of the birds. The key
to veraison with a clean and healthy
and seeds. This is the first point
to protecting your fruit is to use
crop, and we feel like we are on the
of bird-induced infection in the
the birds natural foraging behavior
home stretch of the season just to see
vineyard. Peck damage is the primary
against them and naturally nudge
our vineyard rows ravaged by flocking
source for secondary infections like
pests. Birds not only drastically
botrytis and sour rot which will have
their feeding path to other areas.
reduce the crop volume, their damage
dramatic effects on wine quality if
One very promising bird deterrent
can cause further infections which
not addressed. The combination of
technology is the use of lasers to drive
will have a negative effect on your
both pluck and peck damage has led
foraging birds out. Lasers have the
wine’s quality.
to average losses of $500/acre (US)
ability to effectively cover large areas
