Roosting birds might be interesting to watch, but their nest-building activities and droppings cause unwelcome issues for your home and landscape. Bird deterrents can keep birds from making your yard their home. Here are some different types of deterrents for you to consider:
Visual Bird Deterrents
Visual bird deterrents take advantage of birds’ instinctive fears. One example of an effective visual deterrent is a replica of a predator bird, such as a hawk, eagle, or owl. These are available as kites, balloons, or realistic replicas made of molded plastic.
Products that move can be more effective deterrents than stationary items. Birds can be smart creatures, and as they return to the area and see that your plastic owl has never moved, they can catch on that the fake predator is not a real threat.
The best visual bird deterrents are those that appear realistic and either move like realistic predators, or flap or jerk in the wind.
Placement is also important. If you position one deterrent in one area of the yard, birds will often go to the other side of the yard to nest. Place several visual deterrents around the yard near common nesting sites, such as trees and house eaves.
Bird Deterrent Barriers
Physical barriers provide the most effective means to prevent birds from making a home where you do not want them. The demand for bird control has led to the invention of many kinds of barriers. Here are a few examples of the most common and practical barriers:
Netting
Installed over common nesting areas, such as eaves, heavy-duty netting offers a secure way to prevent birds from building nests on the home or commercial building. It can also be stretched over courtyards or patios to prevent birds from entering these areas.
The advantages of using netting as a barrier include ease of use and cost effectiveness. The disadvantages are that nets pose a danger to birds and other wildlife because the animals can become entangled. Loosely woven nets and nets in disrepair are the worst offenders.
If you choose netting, use stiff nets with holes smaller than the diameter of a finger and secure the nets taut. A safer, sturdier alternative to nets is chicken wire or similar hard fencing.
Spikes
Bird spikes discourage birds from nesting in gutters and eaves, or on window ledges and similar areas. Most spikes sold are blunt-tipped to prevent harm and consist of a strip of spikes that are two to three inches long and stick up at alternating angles.
Gel Repellent
There are several formulas of bird repellant gels on the market. These can be used on structures and objects, and the gels deter birds by creating an odoriferous and displeasing tacky surface. Most are non-toxic and inexpensive.
Using Sound
Deterrents that use sound provide a way to deter many birds at once over a large area. Some use distress calls, while others use predator sounds, such as barking or screeching.
Before buying these kinds of products, make sure you listen to them first. Some sound systems can be too obnoxious to use in residential neighborhoods.
Noise is most effective if you also incorporate visual deterrents, such as predator replicas. The combination of frightening sights and sounds startles visiting birds and makes your yard less attractive to them.
Given the large number of birds and their ability to travel easily, it is difficult to eliminate them fully from a yard. However, you can prevent them from nesting in unwanted spaces, and you’ll see results the fastest by implementing several methods and products together.
To find out more about avian pest control, visit our website. Our professionals at Bain Pest Control can help!