For blueberry growers, the endless birds are a big headache. Hungry robins and ostriches can eat 25% of the harvest during the growing season. The National Public Radio (NPR) reported on the new development of the laser pointer repeller in Bird Control Group, the Netherlands. The technology has helped many blueberry and raspberry growers in the Pacific Northwest to protect their crops from bird attacks. The automatic laser pointer is priced at $9,500 each and is said to have a high success rate.
At the start of this year's growing season, a 168-acre blueberry farm in Oregon installed six agricultural laser automation systems—automatic laser guns mounted on the pedestal—and aimed them at the blueberry bush. These devices emit a steady green laser beam that sweeps across the bush from side to side. Birds seem to mistake the laser scan for the proximity of the predator, and run away whenever it approaches.
The laser manufacturing company said the equipment reduced the number of birds on the blueberry farm by 99%, from an average of 1,500 to only a few. According to the farm estimate, about 262,500 kilograms of blueberries were saved, valued at $99,733. Steiner Hensky, CEO of the company, believes that even from his own standards, this is a huge success. Customers who install agricultural laser pointers typically see a 70% to 99% reduction in birds.
Agricultural lasers are now available on farms around the world, including Oregon State University's Organic Blueberry Research Farm. The agricultural laser pointer is also driving the geese at the airport and the seagulls on the oil rigs.