How to Prevent Larks From Eating Corn Plants

Identify the birds doing the damage to make sure larks are responsible. The horned lark is the only species of lark native to North America. While meadowlarks and titlarks have "lark" in their names, they are not true larks. Lark buntings and lark sparrows--each a type of sparrow--along with horned larks, shorelarks, woodlarks and skylarks are ground feeders, eating seeds and insects. They tend to populate fields and open areas, including and abutting farmland. According to the Shaw Creek Bird Supply website, prairie horned larks prefer farmland and cultivated areas, while horned larks like to perch on corn. Larks, however, are not listed as a major bird pest of corn.

Act before the birds become accustomed to feeding on your crop. Extension resources suggest it is better to stop birds before they develop a taste for your corn and become a threat to your crop. Don't limit yourself to one deterrent; use a combination of approaches for best results.

Avoid feeding birds in your garden. In particular, avoid offering corn near locations where you plan to grow corn. Birds prefer fresh sweet corn over dried corn, and you may be tempting them to associate your yard with a safe feeding area and with finding corn.

Combine exclusion methods and frightening devices. Exclude birds from your corn through the use of netting to cover mature crops or chicken wire to protect seedlings. Use scare tactics to frighten birds away from your garden. Radios, noisemakers, fireworks and Mylar tape are just a few of the options available. The presence of a family pet and items that flash or make noise should cause birds to seek an easier meal elsewhere. Introduce a false bird of prey or encourage birds of prey to nest near your corn. For example, mount owl nesting boxes or a false owl near your garden. Michigan State University recommends suspending balloons over your corn rows.