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Instructions on use If you wish to protect fruit from birds, choose one that is about to ripen, and at risk of attack, and place the cup horizontally over and around it - to hide it - taking care not to damage the stem. In order to keep the cup stable, attach the BirdBusta® clip to a narrow and slightly lower stem that is nearby. Place the stem between and parallel to the top hooks - lower it, and turn the clip 90 degrees anti-clockwise, so the stem fits easily through the hole formed by the hooks, and is locked into it. Clamp the BirdBusta® clip to the upper rim of the cup, ensuring that the cup is still surrounding and hiding the fruit.  The stem chosen should fit easily through the space between the hooks, to avoid damaging the clip. If you wish to detach the BirdBusta® clip from the stem and shift the cup to another tomato, just reverse the procedure, or else simply break the stem. As each tomato is picked, remove the cup and clip, and re-attach them to another tomato and stem. Remember, you can pick a tomato as soon as it displays any red colour - and it will ripen normally. Ripening mainly depends on the surrounding ambient temperature, not on direct sunlight, so the cup does not affect it - ie although the cup may shield the fruit from direct sunlight, its presence does not hinder the growing and ripening of the fruit. If you find the birds are seeing fruit inside any of the cups, you can gently place a lid or spare plant leaf over the fruit and cup, without damaging the stem, to help hide the fruit. These precautions may be needed for figs growing high in a tree, and for tomatoes growing near the ground, as these too are vulnerable. If a fruit (plum...) tree has limited leaf cover, the birds are usually able to see the fruit ripening - in this case, the clip-cup system is less effective, and you will need to pick all the fruit - covered or not - at least one or two days before they are ripe - 'according to the birds'. You should wash and dry the cups and the BirdBusta® clips when necessary (and at the end of the season - before you store them in a plastic bag - for next season). They can normally be re-used many times. If a cup becomes damaged, dispose of it properly, and re-attach the BirdBusta®clip to another cup – the clip will hold cups of various sizes. You may sometimes need to punch a small hole in the bottom of the cup – to allow water to drain out. If you use a ladder, it is advisable to position it securely, and to use a light hook or rake to bring the fruit and stems within reach. Step down to shift the ladder to different parts of the tree – rather than risk over-reaching, and falling (you might even set up a second ladder on the other side of the tree). Fig stems are wide, and so they should be attached to theBirdBusta® clip with care. This clip – cup system may not be sufficient to protect fruit from marauding animals. Provisional Patent – applied for. BirdBusta® is a Registered Trade Mark BirdBusta Marketing guarantees that the BirdBusta® clip will be free of all defects in materials and workmanship for one year from purchase – any defective units will be replaced free of charge. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by accident, separation or unreasonable use or modification of the BirdBusta® clip. It is not advisable to try and separate the two sections of the Clip - the connectors can break. Any cup provided is considered an expendable item, and is not guaranteed. (c) 2006 P J McDonald |
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