We have 2 hanging baskets on our patio—one a fuchsia and the other geraniums and ivy. Birds go from one to the other to make a nest. How can we stop them? It is spoiling the plants.

Most gardeners invite and welcome birds into their gardens. Every once in a while, however, one of the little chirpers refuses to obey the local zoning ordinances and chooses to build her nest where she is not welcome. Her persistence is most amazing once her mind is made up. She will rebuild her nest nearly as fast as you can take it down. If she gets ahead of you and lays eggs, few gardeners would have the heart to disturb the soon-to-be-family.

The trick is to prevent her from getting to that point. Repellents used against rodents seldom work for birds as they do not experience taste in the same way as mammals. Physically keeping her out may be the best answer. Use a bit of tree netting over your basket (the same that is used for keeping birds off of fruit trees and berry patches). It will only have to be left in place for a couple of weeks until she builds her nest elsewhere.