Bird Deterrent Products

by Alex A. Kecskes

We have a love-hate relationship with our fine-feathered friends. Poets love them. Property managers can do without them. Like anything in this world, too many birds can be a real problem. Suddenly, what was endearing becomes a pest. One that's noisy, messy and damaging to almost everything it lands on. The solution? Bird deterrents.

In days of old, this meant culling by birdshot, trained predator –like hawks, or poisons. Today, thanks to environmentalists, there are far more humane ways of discouraging pest birds. These bird deterrents have come just in time. For today, pest birds have so many more places to perch, nest and wreak havoc.

It's no surprise to many that the damage pest birds cause cost businesses and municipalities millions annually. Their droppings contain highly concentrated uric acid, which can alter the color of painted surfaces, permanently stain wood and, over time, erode even metal and stone. Many a stone façade or gleaming bronze statue has been reduced to pitted or crumbling rubble thanks to bird droppings. And many have been saved from this fate by bird deterrents.

Then there are the health hazards that bird droppings create. Bacteria and parasites that live and grow in bird droppings can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. Needless to say, keeping bird droppings away from outdoor eateries, parks and public playgrounds, schools and day-care centers can be a crucial first step in preventing the spread of some very serious diseases. Once again, bird deterrents can help keep pest birds at bay and shoo them away.

Thanks to some inventive people, today's bird deterrents are both humane and effective. They run the gamut from high tech to simple and economical. Most can be used in any situation or location and provide relief from a wide range of pest birds. 

One bird deterrent that has been proven effective is the bird gel. Applied like calk from a calking gun, gels create a sticky surface that birds simply can't stand; yet they're safe for birds (except swallows) and people. Gels are ideally suited for I-beams, parapet walls, ledges, conduit, pipes, and flat or curved surfaces where pest birds like to gather.

Another simple bird deterrent is the Bird Spike strip. Ideal for pigeons and other large birds, they require no maintenance and are easy to install. Some have stainless steel bird spikes that look menacing but are harmless to birds. Others feature spikes of rigid unbreakable polycarbonate--ideal for areas where electrical conductivity prohibits the use of steel spikes. Bird spikes are particularly useful for rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, and other open areas. Another simple bird deterrent is the Bird Spider. Ideal for boat canvas covers, biminis, radar antennas and other areas, the spider arms come in a variety of diameters and undulate with the breeze, discouraging a wide range of larger pest birds such as pigeons and gulls from landing.

For courtyards, canopies, signs, warehouses, airplane hangars and rooftops, there's Bird Netting. This highly effective bird deterrent discourages many species of birds from landing. Heavy-duty bird netting is most often prescribed by architects. Some brands have ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric that's U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. For many applications, non-conductive webbing is preferred. Netting is usually available in 3/4", 1-1/8" and 2" mesh sizes to deter sparrows, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and larger birds.

Finally, an entire family of higher-tech bird deterrents. Included here are the electric-track bird deterrent products. These are ideal for deterring all types of pest birds. Easily mounted on ledges, signs, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces, they utilize an electrified track to impart a mild electric shock to discourage pest birds from landing. Once shocked, birds are convinced that the area is definitely not bird friendly, thus altering a bird’s habits to land and nest there. Some low-profile systems are almost invisible. Others feature a flow-through design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops and other surfaces. Opt for marine grade Monel knitted wire, if you can. It's stronger than steel, and highly resistant to corrosion, alkali and acidic environments. The knitted designs have a single strand of higher gauge wire and a tube-within-a-tube design that allows for greater conductivity and enhanced strength.

So there you have it. While there's no shortage of pest birds today, there's also no shortage of bird deterrents to shoo them away.

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.