There are a few smells that will keep birds away from your garden. Generally speaking, birds don’t have very strong lungs, meaning they are easily irritated by overwhelming or strong smells and less likely to land in these areas. Spraying these liberally in your garden will keep them away, usually without causing them any harm.
Garlic, cayenne pepper, chili, and essential oils are smells that keep birds away. Leaving these smells in your garden (as crushed powders) can help deter birds and stop them from entering your garden. You can also mix them with essential oils of your choice and water to create a spray that can be applied.
You should apply the spray or powder in areas you have seen or suspect the birds are using. When they try to land next, the smell will put them off, and they will fly away, leaving your garden free!
You can also use professional products or bird repellents too. These will have a chemical-like smell usually that irritates birds and will keep them away from your garden. Take care with these, though, as some can be toxic and harmful to birds! It’s best to opt for a natural smell or repellent to avoid causing any injuries to birds.
You can check with a vet or online if you are worried about any bird repellent being harmful to birds. If you have other pets, check that none of the ingredients will be toxic to them too.