Bird Deterrents

Spring is in the air, and so are the seagulls.  Boats are in the water, and the challenge is to keep seagulls off boat decks, gunwales, masts, spreaders and canvases.  Not only seagulls, but cormorants and even pigeons love to use boats for their waterfront perch.  Doesn’t everyone love a waterfront view?  It is important to keep seagulls off boats because of the mess they leave behind.  Bird droppings are a nasty mess.  Boat owners who do not use any kind of bird deterrent system will find themselves spending a significant amount of time cleaning up the bird droppings before each boat launch.  This situation happens all too often, and it does not have to occur.  To keep seagulls off boat decks and other areas takes only a little strategy and a little time.

A safe and humane seagull deterrent system is in need.  One of the best and safest strategies to keep seagulls off boat areas is to scare them away.  It seems simple, right?  It actually is simple.  Scaring the pest birds away is a very smart strategy and reputable bird control companies have seagull deterrent systems that do just that. 

The reason to keep seagulls off boat areas and any other area for that matter, besides the unsightly mess, is to keep the area free from disease.  Accumulated bird droppings notoriously harbor fungus and disease.   The high nutrient substance of pest bird droppings creates a playground for prospectively dangerous organisms.  Diseases such as E. coli, cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis are found in the droppings.   Meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia can be caused by these diseases.  You can become infected by breathing in the spores from the dust created by disturbed bird droppings.  Keeping seagulls off boat areas will keep these diseases away from your family and any passengers you may invite on board. 

Strategy begins with the type of bird deterrent that is needed.  If you want to keep seagulls off boat day and night a solar bird repeller would do the trick.  The solar bird repeller scares the pest birds away by the movement of the 6-foot telescoping “arm” that spins continuously.  It can be easily mounted on any flat or angled surface.   You want to make sure the unit is secured properly.  If not, the excess winds can tip the repeller.  It can be mounted using screws.  It can also be mounted using bungee cords and tie downs.  The bungee cords are the best way to secure the solar bird repeller to uneven surfaces.  It also makes for very easy removal.  There is a simple on and off switch on the back of the unit.  Prior to the installation, the repeller needs to be charge in full sun light for a minimum of 8 hours.  This also pre-charges the batteries.

Before you put into action the solar bird repeller which will keep seagulls off boat areas, you will want to clean any bird droppings that may already be there.  The use of a commercial disinfectant cleaning agent is recommended.  This type of cleaning agent reduces the exposure to the airborne diseases mentioned above.  Also eliminating any variables such as food and water will help keep seagulls off boat areas.  They are scavengers and will go after just about anything.

Frightening birds away from any area is one of the best strategies out there.  There are laws governing the protection of bird species.  Most people’s aim is not to harm the bird but to humanely keep seagulls of boat areas and all other areas as well.  Solar bird repellers can easily be used for docks and swim platforms.  They work well for A.C. units, roofs and skylights as well.  Wherever there is a problem with a pest bird, there is a bird control solution.