Bird Deterrent Products

Spring can be a time of flowering gardens, backyard barbeques and pool parties with friends and relatives. Unfortunately, Spring also draws some unwelcome guests—pest birds. Unless you've implemented bird deterrents before they arrive, these winged pests will undoubtedly make themselves at home in your backyard, patio, and garden .  They'll build nests and leave unsightly droppings in your freshly cleaned pool and spa. Birds will also leave their little deposits on your sparkling barbeque, shade umbrellas, walkways and garden ornaments.  

The key to keeping pest birds away before they flock to your property in Spring is preparation in the form of effective pest bird deterrents. But which should you choose?  A few suggestions:

 Bird Spikes. Ideal for awnings, patio covers and rooflines, these tried and true bird deterrents keep pest birds from landing. If you're on a tight budget, opt for the rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate bird spikes. If you want them to last practically forever, go with the flexible stainless steel spikes. No matter which you choose, bird spikes come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install and won’t harm birds. They work quite well in discouraging all manner of pest birds, keeping them off of pipes, chimneys, cutouts, and light fixtures. When installing them, make sure you cover the area tightly to prevent birds from sneaking around them. That means closing off corners and all open sides of a ledge.

 Bird Netting. This physical barrier deterrent keeps pest birds away from courtyards, patio covers, and rooftops. The best heavy-duty bird netting is most often prescribed by architects. Its ISO 1806 mesh-test polyethylene fabric is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. The sub-zero stable, non-conductive webbing comes in 3/4-inch, 1-1/8-inch and 2-inch mesh sizes to deter all manner of pest birds. Bird netting should be positioned over window recesses, balconies or even whole rooftops to prevent birds from gaining a foothold in nesting areas.

Bird Slopes. These angled, slippery PVC panels deny pest birds a stable place to land. No matter how hard they try, their little legs will just "squirrel cage" endlessly until they finally give up and move on. Perfect for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree nooks and crannies, bird slopes present an unobtrusive bird-proofing method that blends into the architecture of a home or building. The panels come in several colors and can be easily painted to match any home’s décor. When installing bid slope panels on wide ledges, the panel's flat base glues to any clean surface. For narrow ledges, the fins can be trimmed down. The best bird slope panels are made of UV-stabilized polycarbonate.

Keep in mind that all of these bird deterrents should be installed before pest birds arrive in the Spring. If you're not ready for the birds, they'll move right in.

 

by Alex A. Kecskes

Among the family of pest birds that plague our homes and businesses, one can include the bird type known as "invasive birds." Birds that fall into this category can pose a problem for wildlife, agriculture and, most alarmingly, human health. So what constitutes an invasive bird?

For starters, invasive species are not native to a particular area. Without bird deterrents to control them, they will threaten the local ecosystem and economy, and pose significant human health risks. It should be noted that not every non-native bird can be classified as invasive. Many of these nomads readily adapt to new and different ecosystems without threatening these habitats. Only when a species significantly impacts a new area can it be labeled as invasive. It's also worth noting that a species that may be considered invasive in one area may be entirely innocuous in a different region.

Birds that many consider invasive in North America include the European starling, house sparrow, mallard, mute swan, rock pigeon and Canada goose. These species and others who fall into the category of invasive are introduced to an "invaded area" a number of ways. One way is simply through geographic expansion, e.g., when one species crowds out another threatening the species or the ecosystem that supports it. Another way a species becomes invasive is when it is deliberately imported as in the case of early European settlers who brought over birds they liked from their native countries, or when farmers imported birds to control the threat of insects.

Regardless of how they came to an area, unless they are controlled with bird deterrents, invasive birds can create all sorts of problems. They compete for nesting sites and food sources, they eat crops and seeds, they carry any of 60 known diseases, and they disrupt an area's ecological predator/prey balance.

In many areas, invasive bird species are protected by wildlife conservation measures or migratory bird treaties. Before attempting any lethal means of control, property owners should contact their local wildlife management office. The other alternative is, of course, to use non-lethal bird deterrents. These are effective, humane, and run the gamut from simple to high tech. Let's look at a few.
Fogging Agents

A humane and highly effective bird deterrent, these chemical agents irritate a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane. Birds fly or walk through this chemical and they can't wait to leave. The chemical, a food-grade methyl anthranilate, is basically a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Bird fogging can be used indoors or out to deter a variety of pest birds--including gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and cowbirds. Fogging agents should be used in the early morning or late evening when flocks are typically feeding and grouped together. These agents have been widely used to clear airport runways and tarmacs. Golf course owners often use them to clear greens and adjacent areas of grass-eating pests. And warehouse operators have used fogging agents to clear invasive birds out of open bay storage facilities, receiving docks and similar structures.

Chemical Bird Repellents

Another way to use chemicals as a pest bird deterrent is through the use of Chemical Bird Repellents. These chemicals are applied to the invaded area to create an uncomfortable sticky landing zone. Ideal for use on ledges, trees, fences and bushes or shrubs, the non-toxic liquid gel is equally effective for small or large pest birds. You get a lot of repellent for your money, since a one-gallon container will usually treat 120 square feet. These repellents are easily applied using a hand or pressure spray gun with a discharge pressure between 40 to 150 psi. A single application typically lasts up to six months outdoors. One bit of advice: Don't use chemical bird repellents on vertical or porous surfaces, building structures, or where birds have been nesting.

Chemical Goose Repellents

Got geese?  Here's a bird deterrent that will make them leave. It's called Chemical Spray Goose Repellent. It's ideal for repelling geese from parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grassy areas. When geese eat the grass, shrubs or anything green covered with this non-toxic liquid, they can't stand the taste and move on to a more palatable menu. The chemical is basically a grape extract that's safe for pets, geese and humans. These repellents are easy to apply using standard hand-held sprayers available at most garden stores. Some chemical repellents come in a liquid concentrate that you mix with water. You apply an initial application, then wait about a week, and repeat the process. Two applications will last for approximately three months. The chemical stays effective even after a rain spell or sprinkler watering. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Bird Sonic Systems

Like most living things, birds have a fear threshold. Cross it and most birds will simply take flight. This holds true for invading bird species, since they are constantly on the lookout for predators and the distress calls of their fellow feathered friends. If you happen to be a pigeons, the sound of Peregrine falcons defending their territory will make you nervous enough to leave. If you're a starling and seagull, predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack will convince you to take flight. These are the sounds emitted by Bird Sonic Systems. The have been specially designed to broadcast natural bird sounds that are not unpleasant to humans but alarm invading birds. The best sonic bird deterrents can be set up to emit distress and predator calls day or night. And speaker units can easily be added to significantly expand the coverage area. The best systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds. This keeps invading birds from getting too accustomed to the sounds.

Bird Scare Balloons

Invading birds don't like the idea of a big predator staring at them. That's the idea behind Bird Scare Balloons. These beach-ball sized bird deterrents have a giant predator eye that gives most birds the "willies." The best balloons are made from U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. They do quite well in intimidating birds in fruit trees, patio covers, gazebos, just about anywhere birds tend to gather and roost.

by Alex A. Kecskes
Pest birds are far more than a nuisance. They cost homeowners, boat owners and businesses millions every year. Roofs are damaged, paint and wood are ruined, canvas covers are permanently stained, and building facades are left unsightly and corroded.

Bird droppings also create significant health hazards. They carry up to 60 known diseases that can infect children using playground equipment, customers eating at outdoor restaurants, and children playing in schools. One begins to see the need for bird deterrents in preventing all sorts of problems.

These days, it takes more than shouting and waving your hands to discourage birds from laying claim to an area. Today's bird deterrents run the gamut from simple to complex. All have achieved a level of success in discouraging pest birds from landing and nesting.

A good place to start when discussing bird deterrents is the simple flash tape. This is basically a bird scare device made of iridescent material that shimmers and shines in the sunlight. Birds see this and they get disoriented and confused. The tape also creates a metallic crackling sound as it flagellates in the wind, which birds would rather avoid when they're trying to land. Flash tape can be used indoors or out and is ideal for use in warehouses, docks, farms, barns, sheds, storage areas, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks, virtually any area where pest birds tend to gather.

Another device that's quite effective as a bird deterrent is the Bird Scare Balloon. Emblazoned with lifelike reflective predator eyes and markings, the balloons are roughly 16” diameter when inflated and are about the size of a standard beach ball. They scare birds away, convincing them that a huge predator has already laid claim to the area. Made from a U.V. and weather resistant vinyl, the balloons are ideal for use in fruit trees, patio covers, gazebos, boats, and building overhangs. To keep birds, geese and ducks away from pools, one need only fill these balloons one-fourth full of water, and the rest with air. The balloons will float around the pool with predator eyes and shiny reflective surfaces constantly in motion to keep birds away.

For those who wish to keep pigeons and starlings from a specific horizontal surface, there's the bird deterrent known as Transparent Bird Gel. Ideal for ledges, rooflines, beams, signs, conduit, pipes and other problem areas, birds hate the sticky stuff on their little toes and will look for a less irritating landing spot. The sticky gel works in temperatures from 15F to 200F and usually lasts up to 6 months outdoors. Applied in a zigzag pattern using a caulking gun, the toxic gel is safe for humans and animals.

The next bird deterrent has gained widespread popularity and is surprisingly effective. Known as the Bird Spike strip, it has kept pigeons and other large birds at bay by preventing them from landing. Buyers have a choice of flexible stainless steel spikes or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. Ideal for ledges, windowsills, rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, parapet walls, I-beams, and other open areas, the spikes are harmless to birds and will not cut or injure the installer. They come in two-foot sections and are easily installed with screws or adhesive. With their non-reflective metal finish, the spikes are virtually invisible from the ground.

For pure simplicity in bird deterrents, there's the Bird Slope. Birds just can't get a grip on these angled, slippery PVC panels and they just slide off. After a few tries, they're off to better landing zones. Bird slopes are easily installed on ledges, eaves, beams and other areas. U.V. protected and sun and weather resistant, the panels provide anti-perching, anti-roosting protection against all types of birds, including swallows, starlings, pigeons and seagulls. Mounted upside down with special mounting clips, the panels can also be used to create a slippery area that keeps swallows from attaching mud nests to a corner. Some panels have a "snap-on" extender, allowing them to adapt more readily to wider ledges and coverage areas.

Bird Netting has proven to be another effective pest bird deterrent. This highly effective deterrent discourages many species of birds from landing. You can get heavy duty bird netting made of high strength polyethylene. It will keep pest birds from entering such areas as air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves and canopies. Some bird netting is made from a U.V.-resistant mesh for lasting durability. Available in various sizes, and custom cuts, the netting should be installed properly to prevent sagging and gaps that may allow pest birds access.

Next up, the Electric-Track bird deterrents. They use an electrified track to impart a mild electric shock that convinces pest birds that landing here is a no-no. Effective for small and large pest birds, electric track systems are low-profile and barely visible. The systems are usually powered by an AC charger or solar charger. One manufacturer uses copper knitted wire mesh in a continuous “tube- in-tube” stocking design. This allows for greater conductivity, strength and reliability. The copper mesh is resistant to corrosion and highly resistant to alkali and acidic environments.

Lastly, we have the audio bird deterrents. Designed to deter pest birds from large open areas, these system emit distress and predator calls for as many as 22 types of birds. The sounds are repeated every few minutes to convince birds that danger is here or on its way. These are ideal for deterring pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many other birds. Sonic systems are recommended for backyards, courtyards, gardens, pool areas, patios, gazebos, parks, golf courses and rooftops. Some systems allow you to add more speakers to extend the range for coverage up to six acres.