It's easier to start your seeds indoors, under CFL's and then move them outdoors once the weather is better and the plants have at least a few nodes.

As far as keeping pests away....

You'll never keep bugs away unless you use a pesticide of some sort, but that can kill your plant if you don't use caution.
Birds would be kept away by the soda can, they probably won't wanna reach over it. You could put a screen over it to be safe.

Good luck.
mountainman Reviewed by mountainman on . things eating my seedling hey i think birds have been eating my little seedlings so i think iam going to cut the top and bottom of a soda can and put it over the seedling. do u think that will be okay or is there another way to keep bugs/animals from eating my plant? also i will be putting it on top of a table so bugs wont get it. Rating: 5