Bird Deterrents

“Free as a bird.”  That is a very common quote.  What does it mean?  When it comes to pest birds it means the bird has no boundaries.  It means the pest bird can fly and perch, nest and roost wherever they find contentment.  Creating an uncomfortable area with bird control is the safe and humane way to get rid of birds.

Reason for Bird Control

One of the main reasons it is important to put bird control into action is that pest birds can do a lot of damage.   Birds like to roost and nest in the trees, roofs and eaves.  The destruction they leave in their wake can be quite expensive and put you at a health risk.   What they leave behind are their white pasty droppings.  Accumulated bird droppings are known to harbor over 60 different types of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases.  The diseases transfer to humans and can generate seriously illnesses.  West Nile Virus is one such illness and can cause severe neurological effects that may be permanent.  Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis are two yeast-like funguses that can be acquired from the bird droppings.  The bird droppings are also highly acidic and corrosion will take place wherever they fall.  They will corrode paint, wood, steel and even concrete.   You can imagine the time and cost to replace or repair the damaged areas.  Bird control will not only keep that unsightly mess from existing, but will also protect against the development of health problems.

How to Bird Proof

It is first necessary to assess the property that is being invaded by the birds.  Are there trees that are full of birds?  Are they perched on top of an awning in wait of food spillage?  Maybe the problem area is under the eaves.  No matter where the pest bird is a problem, there are bird proof methods to deter the birds and soon they will fly right on over and beyond your property.    There are basically three types of bird deterrent methods.

Physical Bird Deterrents

A physical bird deterrent is simply a bird control product that blocks the bird from its desired landing spot.  Bird spikes are a good example of a physical bird deterrent.  Bird spikes are very successful in keeping away the large pest birds such as pigeons, crows and gulls and keeping them from perching, nesting and roosting.  Construction grade adhesive will secure them down to concrete, steel and brick.  Screws can be used to secure them to wood surfaces.  They are virtually invisible when installed correctly.  What helps with the aesthesis as well is the plastic bird spikes come in various different colors to match their surroundings.  They also come in various widths and lengths that fit it just about any area that has a flat or slanted surface.   They are especially ideal for use on a patio covering where there is al fresco dining or even your own home patio coverings.

Bird netting is another physical bird deterrent that works especially well for protecting vegetation.  Many vineyards use bird netting to protect the precious grapes from being eaten by the birds.  It is recommended that you suspend the netting over the vines by at least 6 inches.  This prevents the birds from landing on the mesh and putting their beaks through the mesh to get at the fruit.  Bird netting is also proven to deter the pest bird from home gardens and fruit trees.  Heavy duty bird netting is ideal for warehouses, garages, rooftops, factories and bridges.  Heavy duty bird netting is professional grade bird netting.  Most bird netting is made of a U.V. stabilized mesh, rot proof, water proof and flame resistant.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Visual bird deterrents create an optical illusion that scares the pest birds away from the area.  Visual deterrents such as a diverter or scare balloons have a printed design on the sides of them which, to a bird, look like a predator’s eye.  The mock predator eye design on the visual deterrents confuses and frightens the birds.  In turn, they fly away and will want to avoid the area.  They can be hung along the side of homes, buildings, in trees and even on boats to get rid of the pest bird.  Flash tape is another visual deterrent that can quickly be applied.  It is a iridescent red foil Mylar tape that that can be cut into strips and attached to trees, outdoor patios and pool areas to name only a few places.  The tape moves in the breeze and makes a crinkling sound which simply frightens the bird away.  Using the same principle, solar powered bird repellers can be placed on signs, streetlights, A.C. units and swim platforms.  The solar bird repeller uses movement to scare away the birds.  It has 5-foot telescoping “arms” that spin continuously.  The rotating arms move even at night using solar power, but it also has rechargeable batteries for operation during dark periods.  The repeller is easy to mount and can even be mounted on an angled surface.

Sound Bird Deterrents

Sound bird deterrents are for large open spaces such as courtyards, warehouses, patios, backyards and even golf courses.  A sound device plays distress and predator calls.  Like the visual deterrents, the sound deterrents, too, scare away the birds.  The units can be programmed to broadcast over 22 different types of bird species.  If you are unsure as to which bird to deter, there is a “general” setting that covers a multitude of bird species.  There are additional adaptable speakers that will cover up to a six acre area.

Physical, visual and sound deterrents get rid of birds in unwanted areas.  There is no harm done to the bird or installer.  Using humane bird control methods is abiding by the law.  It is unlawful to remove birds once they have built a nest.  It is important to start thinking of installing bird control products in early spring before they make themselves at home at your place of business or home.