Although most small birds prefer insects or native, wild seeds to munch on, they will also dine on lawn seeds if given the opportunity. The good news is there are plenty of safe ways to keep birds away from your lawn seed.

We chatted with lawn and landscaping experts to gather their best tips and tricks for keeping your grass green and healthy and the birds happily find their meals elsewhere.

Use Natural Mulch

One way to deter birds is to use natural mulch. According to Juan Romero, a landscaper and owner of Green Grounds Solutions, applying a thin layer of straw mulch or finely shredded leaves over the newly seeded area can obscure the seeds from birds.

This method will still allow sunlight and moisture to reach the soil. However, you’ll want to ensure the mulch layer is light and even.

“Too thick of a layer can hinder germination,” he warns.

And for the best results, consider using a biodegradable mulch that will break down and enrich the soil over time, he adds.

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Try Visual Deterrents

Birds are easily frightened, so adding colorful flags that wave in the wind may keep them from landing on your lawn and dining on your grass seed. The movement and reflection of these objects will create a sense of unease for birds, making them unlikely to land on your lawn, Romero explains.

But whatever visual deterrents you use, regularly reposition them to prevent birds from becoming accustomed to having them in your yard, he says.

“Combine different types of visual deterrents for increased effectiveness,” he adds.

This might include colorful flags or posts with faux owls or larger birds of prey, which hunt smaller birds.

Sow Extra Seeds

Another great method is, essentially, feeding the birds—and not just with great bird feeders.

“If you’re sowing a new lawn or overseeding by hand, you can try to combat birds eating your seeds by overcompensating with your product,” Chrissie Handley, a lawn care specialist at Online Turf, says.

Sowing more seeds than you need will help compensate for any lost seeds (i.e. seeds eaten by birds). However, once the seeds are sown, lightly rake the area to get the seeds to blend in with the soil below or sprinkle fresh topsoil over the sown area.

“If the birds can’t see the seeds on the ground, they’re less likely to fly down and eat them,” she says.

Covering with soil also makes successful germination of the seeds more likely—making covering your seeds well worth the effort.

Net the Seeded Area

Netting also creates a physical barrier between the birds and the seeds.

“It doesn’t cause the birds harm, and with different sizes and installation methods offered, it’s a versatile and popular option,” Handley explains.

Besides deterring birds, netting allows air and moisture to reach the seeds, and it prevents other common garden animals like squirrels from making a meal out of your lawn seeds as well.

Opt for Seed Blankets

This is another common physical barrier you could add. According to Corey Welch, a lawn care specialist, founder, and CEO of Mow & Snow Technologies Inc.—burlap sheets, seed blankets, or floating row covers physically block birds from reaching the seed while still allowing water and sunlight to go through.

“These materials also help prevent wind or rain erosion, keeping the seed evenly distributed and encouraging better germination,” he explains.

For the best outcomes, he recommends securing the edges of your chosen material with stakes or rocks to prevent wind from moving them around.