Will my marigolds keep the birds away?
Question:I planted some marigolds right near my birdfeeders, but then i learned that they keep small animals away. will they keep the birds away too?
Answers:
No mostly they are found obnosious to bugs.
No. Marigolds are great companion plants for deterring insect pests (soil eelworm, aphids, blackfly) and also rabbits and deer but they don't affect birds for two reasons: birds are omnivorous and much prefer seeds and insects to plant leaves and secondly, birds don't really have a sense of smell so will not notice any pungent plants. Only Calendula marigolds and some pungent Tagetes marigolds deter insects; many modern French and African marigolds have no aroma.
My friend I would concern myself more with squirrels than with the birds. Color attracts birds. Birdseed attracts the squirrels. Make sure you have a feeder that has a minimum of two or three cone and cup shaped deters. I found that a weekly application of Petroleum Jelly along the base also helped keep them away. Small animals will eat what is on the ground. That pesky squirrel will jump into the feeder!!
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