Get rid of birds

How To Get Rid of Birds Without Injuring Them

A survey of municipalities across the country revealed that pigeons were the most widespread nuisance. After that, the most bothersome birds were blackbirds, starlings, house sparrows, crows and ravens. Strategies on how to humanely get rid of birds can occupy many a property owner.

Not surprisingly, the biggest problem caused by the number one nuisance bird (pigeons) is the volume of droppings they create. These deposits are not only smelly, but slippery, unsightly and a health hazard, carrying diseases like salmonellosis, ornithosis, cryptococcus, and histoplasmosis. Equally troublesome is the acidic composition of their droppings, which erodes metal and even stonework. To get rid of pigeons calls for some professional solutions that go beyond water hoses and firecrackers.

Grackles, blackbirds and starlings often invade cities in vast migratory and winter flocks. Seeking warmth and shelter, they form noisy, smelly roosts on city buildings and trees. The roosts often serve as breeding grounds for histoplasmosis. What’s more, bird droppings can destroy the vegetation under the roosts. Grackles, in particular, can quickly ruin backyard fruit crops. House sparrows can pollute patios, swimming pools, and the air entering outside air conditioners, allowing ectoparasites to enter homes and offices. To get rid of small birds like these without injuring them can be a challenge.

If you’ve been inundated by pest birds, consider implementing some humane, professionally recommended pest bird deterrents, including:

Site Specific Scarecrows

Highly effective in getting rid of birds from specific areas, the Scarecrow is a motion-activated sprinkler that shoots a harmless but persuasive blast of water at any bird or birds. Scarecrows connect to any standard garden hose and will guard a 1,200-square-foot area (or a 35-foot by 45-foot wide swath). A Scarecrow’s motion-activated sensitivity and water spray radius can be easily adjusted to fit the application.

No-Perch, No Roost Bird Spikes

Designed to prevent larger birds like pigeons and crows from landing on roofs, patio covers and other elevated areas, Bird Spikes are harmless to birds, people and pets. Available in rigid unbreakable polycarbonate (plastic) or durable stainless steel, bird spikes are easy to install. They are ideal for getting rid of birds on rooftop AC units, skylights, and solar panels.

Distract and Deter with Balloons and Diverters

Used together with the two deterrents listed above, Visual Bird Deterrents can be placed in any elevated, high visibility area to get rid of birds. Choose Reflective Bird Diverters or Predator Eye Balloons. Diverters consist of tear-drop shaped panels covered with a big predator eye to intimidate birds. You hang these in various lengths and space them 2 to 3 feet apart. Predator Eye Balloons resemble beach-balls and are covered with large predator eyes. The best visual deterrents will be made of weather-resistant vinyl plastic. For best results, it’s best to alternate the location of these deterrents since most birds are smart and will eventually get used to them as non-threatening.

The Top 5 Tactics to Get Rid of Birds

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There are all sorts of ways to get rid of pest birds. Some are lethal and not recommended for most situations; others are simply ineffective. Fortunately, bird control experts have come up with some pretty ingenious ways to keep birds from ruining your property and frazzling your nerves. A sampling of the top 5:

Bird Spikes

The granddaddy of pest bird deterrents, Bird Spikes will get rid of larger birds—like pigeons, crows and gulls—from your roof, patio cover and other elevated areas of your property. Bird Spikes won’t harm birds or pets. They simply won’t allow birds to land or perch. The spiked strips come in rigid unbreakable polycarbonate (plastic) or durable stainless steel. Each two-foot long strip can be nailed, glued or screwed to most surfaces. There’s also the Mega Spike, which has large 7-inch spikes for keeping vultures from perching. And Gutter Spikes if you have a problem with birds nesting in your rain gutters.

Bird Slope

Blending in architecturally with your home or business, Bird Slope consists of slippery PVC panels that prevent birds from getting a solid footing under eaves and other elevated 90-degree nooks. Birds may be stubborn critters, but they soon give up after loosing their grip on these panels. The best bird slope panels are UV protected and sun- and weather-resistant to remain attractive and effective for years. Bird Slope is an effective way to get rid of many different types of birds—including swallows, starlings, pigeons, crows and more.

Garden Bird Netting

Working on the principle of denying access, Garden Bird Netting is lightweight and easy to handle. It comes in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls and can be cut to the size needed for various applications. Choose the mesh size that gets rid of the birds that cause you grief--1/4", 1/2" or 3/4". Bird netting clips are available to keep the netting conveniently in place. Look for netting made of durable, UV-protected polypropylene. It will last longer.

Copper Stuf-Fit Mesh

Perfect for keeping smaller birds out of all those little crevices, holes and nooks, Copper Stuf-Fit mesh is easily “formed” into the shape needed to get the job done. The mesh comes in 20-foot and 100-foot roles. It’s also rust-proof and stain proof (steel wool will rust, run and stain your property). Copper Stuf-Fit even keeps birds from working their way under roofing tiles, retractable awnings, and where pipes enter your siding or foundation.

BeakGuard Woodpecker Deterrent

Ideal for getting rid of woodpeckers, BeakGuard is easily applied to latex-painted surfaces, wood, fiber-cement, stucco, aluminum or vinyl. The specially designed finish warns woodpeckers that the surface is to be avoided. BeakGuard is harmless to woodpeckers or other birds. It leaves a vapor permeable, flexible membrane that is durable, color fast and resists dirt pick up. BeakGuard goes like paint—with a brush, roller, paint pad or spray equipment.

How to Humanely Get Rid of Pest Birds

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The pigeons are coming. So are blackbirds, starlings, house sparrows and crows. They’ll be invading your property en masse as bird season approaches. Will you be ready to get rid of birds when they arrive?

Prepare now or risk having your home invaded by birds. Your cars will be spotted with bird droppings. So will your windowsills and patio furniture. Larger pest birds will tear apart your roofing shingles, causing leaks. Smaller birds will build nests in your rain gutters, causing water to back up under your roofing tiles and, once again, you’ll have a leaking roof. Birds large and small will contaminate your pool and spa, so you’ll have to drain and clean them—not a pleasant thought.

Unless you have bird control devices in place, it will become increasingly difficult to get rid of pest birds. The temptation will be to use lethal means—like poisons or pellet guns—or stop-gap measures like water hoses and firecrackers. Eventually, under pressure from your kids and neighbors, you’ll agree to more humane bird deterrents. Devices that actually work. Here’s what the pros recommend:

Scarecrows for Pools, Spas and Gardens

Highly recommended for deterring all types of birds from areas where the presence of water is tolerated, Scarecrows are motion-activated sprinklers that spray a harmless but persuasive blast of water at any bird that wonders into its zone of protection. Scarecrows hook up to any standard garden hose and will guard a 1,200-square-foot area (or a 35-foot by 45-foot wide shape). The Scarecrow’s sensitivity and coverage area can be easily adjusted to suit the needs of your garden, pool or spa.

Bird Spikes for Roofs & Patio Covers

Birds usually seek a high perch from which to observe before they dive bomb your pool, spa, patio tables or car. Bird Spikes deny them that perch. Ideal for larger birds like pigeons and crows, Bird Spikes are harmless to birds, people and pets. They have earned the approval of the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service). The spiked strips come in rigid unbreakable polycarbonate (plastic) or durable stainless steel. Gutter spikes are also available to keep birds out of your rain gutters. All are easy to install using glue, screws, clips or tied downs.

Balloons and Diverters for Trees

Known as Visual Bird Deterrents, Reflective Bird Diverters and Predator Eye Balloons bob and wave in the breeze to get rid of birds through intimidation. Diverters are tear-drop shaped panels covered with a big predator eye. They are hung in various lengths and spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Predator Eye Balloons are covered with huge predator eyes. Look for visual deterrents made of weather-resistant vinyl plastic. For best results, it’s best to move these bird deterrents around often, or most birds will eventually get used to them as a non-live object to be ignored.

Crow Attacks Halt Residential Mail Service

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Mail carriers making deliveries in the 400 block of Ralph Avenue West in Winnipeg (the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada) recently had more to fear than just dogs. Seems the area’s postal carriers now have a new enemy--dive-bombing crows. Even postal carriers equipped with big branches aren’t safe from these “murder of crows.” As one resident put it, “You just can’t turn your back on them’." The attacks have been so aggressive that Canada Post has suspended mail delivery due to unsafe access.

As is common knowledge, most crows won’t attack humans from the back. Which is why some have suggested that the beleaguered postal carriers wear a hat with big eyes painted on the back. Needless to say, this suggestion didn’t exactly go over well with the area’s postal carriers.

Manitoba Conservation officials noted that crows will attack as soon as their hatchlings are large enough to leave the nest. When their babies can fly, the attacks should stop, they advised. That said, area residents have noted that the attacks have continued in spite of the baby crows flying. One area resident, who often carries her lame pet dog reported that a crow attacked her and ruffled her hair.

Compounding the problem is the fact that crows are a highly intelligent species, more so than the average bird. Once attracted to an area, crows will protect themselves and their new offspring from predators and humans, even to the point of posting “sentries” to alert the flock of impeding threats. Without effective bird control measures to deter them, crows will quickly “lay claim” to an area. If your area has a crow problem, here’s what the pros recommend:

Bird Chase Super Sonic

Easy to place just about anywhere, the Bird Chase Super Sonic takes advantage of a crow’s alert nature to threats. The device continually broadcasts pre-recorded bird distress and predator calls. These sounds resemble natural bird sounds, so pets and humans won't be bothered by them. The device is quality-constructed, weather resistant and designed for rugged outdoor use. It's easily programmed for day or night operation.

Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

Ideal for denying large birds like crows a place to perch and roost, Stainless Steel Bird Spikes are easy to install and highly effective. The spiked strips come in a variety of widths --1”, 3”, 5” and 8” --to match the area you want to safeguard. The spike strips can be glued down, nailed or screwed onto most any surface. The best stainless steel spikes are made in the USA and will be securely embedded in UV-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. Approved by the US Humane Society and PICAS, the spikes are blunted at the tips, so they won’t injure the crows.

Two Sure Fire Ways to Keep Pest Birds Off Your Roof

by Alex A. Kecskes

For most people, their home is their biggest investment. And the part of the home that takes the biggest beating is the roof. It has to fend off attacks from sleet, snow, rain, wind and pest birds. How can pest birds damage your roof? Without adequate bird deterrents, it’s surprising just how much trouble birds can cause.

For starters, birds will often take insects and other small prey to the safety of your roof to peck and claw their catch apart. This can damage roof tiles (especially, crown tiles made of wood or asphalt shingle). Replacing roofing tiles can run into big money. Birds have even been known to build their nests under roofing tiles. This kind of activity can dislodge the tiles, which can cause leaks.

Birds will also build their nests in your rain gutters. When their eggs hatch, the birds will simply leave the empty nests to clog up your gutters. Repeated rains will cause water to back up and seep under roofing tiles to eventually cause leaks. Once again, you’re stuck with expensive roof repairs. If you have attic ventilation turbines, skylights, solar panels, or solar water heaters, pest birds can damage them. If your chimney lacks a screen, pest birds can get trapped inside, block airflow, and create a potentially dangerous situation where deadly carbon monoxide gas enters your home. Bird proofing can save you from these and other problems.

Finally, it’s worth noting that bird droppings are highly acidic. Over time, accumulated droppings can degrade a roof, causing it to leak and possibly even collapse. Proper bird proofing can deter pest birds and save your roof. Here are two proven bird control measures that will keep your home pest bird free:

Sonic Deterrents—the Sound Solution

Birds like the safety and security of your roof—unless they sense danger. Sonic Bird deterrents generate distress and predator calls that make birds way too jumpy to hang around your home. One commercially available system can generate these calls for 22 different types of birds. The calls, repeated every 10 minutes, sound just like natural birdcalls to the human ear. Even pets can’t tell the difference, but birds sure can. The best sonic deterrents can be programmed to turn on or off at night and include a built-in speaker that covers up to an acre.

Bird Spikes Won’t Let ‘Em Land

You’ve seen these just about everywhere. Some are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. You can also get durable polycarbonate bird spikes that come in a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear--so they’re less noticeable and blend in with your home’s exterior colors. To keep pest birds from building nests in your rain gutters, Gutter Bird Spikes will do the trick.

Bye-Bye Birdie Yes, You Can Scare Birds Away

by Alex A. Kecskes

While most birds are loved by man, pest birds represent a significant and ongoing problem. According to the FAA, bird strikes cost civil aviation almost $500 million a year. Keep in mind that just one bird can destroy an expensive jet engine in just seconds. The fact is, bird strikes on military airfields endanger our troops, can jeopardize the mission and ruin equipment. It's easy to see why many people look for ways to scare birds away.

Growers don't much care for pest birds either. Native and non-native bird species have been known to cause crop losses in vineyards--typically 30 percent to as much as 100 percent. Pest birds can quickly devour seeds and ripening fruit. Many growers pull out all the stops to scare birds away.

In the cities and urban areas, pest birds can wreak havoc with building facades, statues, schools, public playgrounds and parks. Bird droppings can destroy the paint on cars and buildings. They leave an unsightly mess and can carry a number of communicable diseases. Diseases transmitted by birds include aspergillosis, salmonellosis, thrush, avian tuberculosis, coccidiosis, cryptococcoses, encephalitis, histoplasmosis, Newcastle disease, toxoplasmosis and West Nile virus. No wonder so many municipalities have spent considerable sums of money to scare birds away.

The feral pigeon is by far the most prolific urban pest bird in the world. Originally descended from the domesticated rock dove, they are now wild and live in close proximity to man. Feral pigeons are scavengers, scrounging for food in cities and town centers, where they are often eagerly fed by the general public. Feral pigeon populations are on the rise due to a lack of natural predators, the constant supply of food and their ability to breed year around.

Other pest birds include the house sparrow, the starling and the gull. Gulls are scavengers and feed from scraps of food in town centers as well as sewerage outlets and domestic garbage dumps. Starlings often gather in huge flocks where their droppings ruin structures and monuments. Small but still a nuisance are sparrows, which often clog rain gutters and downspouts, and frequently cause electrical equipment shorts and fires.

To scare birds away without harming them can prove to be quite a challenge. Fortunately, there are a number of pest bird deterrents that are available to humanely discourage birds from landing, roosting and nesting.

For pigeons and large birds, consider the use of the highly effective Bird Spike strip. Harmless to birds, the intimidating spikes simply discourage birds from landing. Some bird spikes are made of stainless steel, others use rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes (the poly spikes are less expensive).

For flat even areas, the Bird Spider has proven its worth as an effective pest bird deterrent. The spindly spider arms whip around in the wind to scare birds away. Spiders come in several diameters to deter various bird sizes. Harmless to birds, spiders are easy to maintain and easy to install. Similar to the spider, the motorized whirly-gig utilizes rotating arms to scare birds away. Ideal for parapet walls, roofs, signs, and billboards, some of these products are powered by batteries and others are even powered by solar energy.

Next up are the growing number of balloons and banners of iridescent reflective foil and shiny tape, which create an “Optical Distraction Zone.” Some of these bird scare products feature lifelike reflective predator eyes. Others have "day-glow" backsides to scare birds away at night. One of the many things that make these bird scare products so appealing is their low cost and easy installation. They're ideal for use on boat docks, pool areas, overhangs, gazebos, and other troublesome areas.

We know people get irritated whey they walk across a carpet, reach for a doorknob and get shocked. It's the same with birds. Electric Shock Bird Repellers have been used for years to scare birds away. Ideal for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, these electrified tracks mildly zap birds that try to land. Easily mounted on ledges, signs, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces, many electric tracks have a low profile tracks, so they can't be seen from below.

While screaming at birds or blasting loud horns can scare birds away, there are bird deterrents that use ultrasonic sounds that annoy birds--annoy them enough to discourage them from landing. These audio deterrents imitate distress calls and predator calls. They're ideal for enclosed areas like parking garages, overhangs and sheds, where pigeons, sparrows, starlings or seagulls sometimes gather in flocks.

Farmers and growers have long used this next category of bird deterrents to scare birds away. Known as Foggers or Misters, these disperse a food-grade, non-lethal aerosol of methyl anthranilate. The chemical has been approved by the EPA and won't harm birds. It simply irritates birds that fly through it, convincing them to avoid the area. Some misting systems feature multiple remote spray nozzles to allow specific areas to be treated and pinpointed.

How to Get Rid of Pest Birds at Open-Air Produce Markets

by Alex A. Kecskes

Let’s say you own or manage an open-air produce market, the kind that’s becoming increasingly popular as today’s quality conscious consumers shy away from big chain supermarkets.

You pride yourself on the fresh, clean appearance of your store, something that draws a discriminating clientele to shop there, week after week. What you don’t want to draw are pest birds. They not only bother your customers, but they can ruin the image of your store with their smelly nests and droppings. Droppings that can contaminate your produce, deface your signage and awnings/umbrellas, and create filthy walkways your customers will sidestep to avoid. Worse yet, bird droppings on open-air produce can bring a citation or two from health inspectors who can easily shut you down.

So how do you get rid of pest birds? BB guns, poisons, noisemakers--they’re just too dangerous or intrusive to be practical. The only viable solution is modern effective bird control. These devices and systems have been specifically designed to deter pest birds from commercial premises like yours. Here are a few of the more popular pest bird deterrents:

Bird Spike. Pest birds love to loiter on roofs, parapet walls, signage, awnings and other lofty areas. From there, they can “dive bomb” onto open food carts and displays, pick food off tables and chairs, and scavenge for scraps on the ground. Bird spikes deny them these loft perches, making it impossible for birds to land on or near them. Ideal for pigeons, crows and other large birds, bird spikes come in strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. The best spikes are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. You can also get bird spikes with a crush proof, non-reflective metal finish. If you opt for less expensive plastic bitrd spikes, you can choose from a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. To keep birds like crows and pigeons out of your rain gutters, you’ll need the Gutter Spike, which has an adjustable clamp at the base for easy attachment to the lip of a gutter.

Bird Spider. To protect specific areas of your market from pest birds, Bird Spiders can be quite effective. These portable devices can be easily moved onto most lofty areas birds like to frequent. They include a glue-on base, which allows them to be permanently affixed to flat most surfaces. Place one or two on a roof or fixed awning and birds will definitely avoid the area. How do they work? Simple. Bird spiders use long spindly spider-like arms that whip about in the breeze, making pest birds too nervous to land near them. If your market has outdoor seating areas, you can temporarily place a spider on an outdoor table or two before opening hours to keep pest birds from landing on them. Spiders come in several diameters (arm lengths) to discourage many types of pest birds--typically, 2-, 4- and 8-foot arms to cover increasingly larger areas. Ideal for use against pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, spiders have no moving parts to wear out, so they’re basically maintenance free. Look for bird spiders that have a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base.

Bird Sonics. Certain sounds can be perfectly innocuous to humans while at the same time striking fear in the hearts of pest birds. Bird sonic systems have been scientifically designed by ornithologists to do just that. These systems and their portable speakers are easily mounted on storefronts, patio covers, and under eaves and awnings. They can keep pest birds away from outdoor areas by emitting predator and distress calls most birds find alarming and disturbing. Once installed, they’re designed to ward off all manner of birds--including pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many others. One super-flexible sonic system emits distress and predator calls for 22 types of birds. Something to keep in mind if you’re being invaded by several bird species.

Get Rid of Pigeons

by Alex A. Kecskes

Almost everyone has heard about pigeons invading parks and monuments, shedding their disease-carrying droppings on statues and contaminating ponds and playgrounds. But pigeons also pose a problem to many businesses. And perhaps the least mentioned are the many problems pest pigeons pose to gas stations.

Take your basic gas station canopy, for example. Once pigeons have claimed them and decided to nest on them, it's just a matter of time before a flock of pigeons can ruin your average $25,000.00 canopy.

Why do so many pigeons like to nest on gas canopies? Simple. They provide a great observation point for pigeons. The resourceful birds like to sit along the canopy edges and survey the area. And if you've ever seen how these canopies are built, you know that they easily provide plenty of protected nesting sites on their undersides and gutter areas.
Unless you get rid of pigeons, the flat metal roof areas will soon be covered with pigeon droppings and nests. Both will clog the canopy's drains and eat away at the canopy's paint and metal. After a rain, one can't help but notice the brown residue and offensive odor caused by collected pigeon droppings and nesting debris. This debris and unsavory odor will collect on the covered paved areas of a gas station and create and unwelcome site for customers. Worse yet, left to gather in the wet, pigeon droppings can cause dangerous slip-and-fall hazards to customers and employees. After several years, gas canopies can even become structurally degraded to cause a possible hazard for motorists and workers.

So what to do? If high gas prices aren't enough to keep motorists away, do you really need pest pigeons? Fortunately, there are several humane and highly effective ways to get rid of pigeons.

Intimidating Bird Spikes

The mother of pest bird deterrents, the Bird Spike has saved more buildings and structures from pigeons than perhaps any other deterrent. Bird Spikes get rid of pigeons because they simply can't negotiate a landing around them. The spiked strips come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate, or longer-lasting, slightly more expensive stainless steel, which you can get in a non-reflective metal finish. These days you can even get bird spikes in a full spectrum of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes are easily glued or screwed to any surface. Choose the Girder Spike for keeping pigeons off girders or I-beams (they come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder). To keep pigeons off rain gutters, there's the Gutter Spike. The best bird spikes are blunted, safe for birds and maintenance crews and GSA approved.

Virtually Invisible Bird Slopes

Install these in the 90-degree nooks and crannies of your gas station canopy and pest pigeons will never be able to land. Bird Slopes are angled, slippery PVC panels that pigeons can't seem to get a grip on. The panels come in a variety of colors to blend in with your gas station's aesthetics. U.V.-stabilized polycarbonate panels are best as they stand up to years of inclement weather.

Wobbly Bird Wire Systems

This is a great way to get rid of pigeons. They'll wobble and shimmy off these Bird Wire Systems like Bozo on a banana peel. Pigeons, like most birds, prefer stable landing areas. And bird wire systems with their post-and-spring-wire set-ups are anything but stable. String these systems on the roofs of canopies or their undersides and forget about pigeons. The systems are easily installed, and even used on Federal and State government buildings. The best systems feature nylon coated stainless steel wire for lasting durability.

Barrier Pigeon Netting

Exclusion is the name of the game. And Bird Netting keeps them out of the corners and recesses of your gas station canopies like few deterrents can. It gets rid of pigeons by denying them access to these areas. The best netting is made from ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. If you want the netting to last, get U.V.-stabilized, flame-resistant and rot and waterproof netting. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference could cause problems--probably a good idea in gas stations. You can even get netting in several different colors--like including white, stone and black.

Stick it to 'em with Bird Gels

Like most birds, pigeons can't stand walking on these sticky gels. They get that stuck-in-flypaper feeling and can't wait to leave. Bird Gels are easy to apply using a standard caulking gun. The chemical skins over and stays sticky for up to six months.

How to Prevent Birds from Nesting

by Alex A. Kecskes

The most common pest species are European starlings, pigeons (sometimes called rock doves), and the female and male house sparrows. The male bird usually establishes and defends the nest. After the pair builds a nest, the male continues to defend the territory while the female hatches eggs. To keep common pest birds from nesting on your property, start by removing any sources of food, water and shelter.

Before they begin nesting, pest birds will look for food sources to sustain themselves and feed their young. Natural food sources include seeds, fruits, berries and insects. Trim back or remove plants that produce edible nuts, fruits and berries. Also be wary of any food scraps spilling out of trashcans on your property. Keep lids tightly closed on cans and make sure the surrounding areas have no food scraps on the ground to entice birds.

Insect larvae living in the cracks and grooves of house siding will attract woodpeckers, and you know how much damage they can do to your property. Caulk the edges of the grooves to fill any open tunnels. Also keep in mind that a source of water is essential for birds year round. Starlings are especially attracted to water. So cover up or drain any areas of water near your property.
All birds need shelter for nesting, which varies with the season and the species of bird. Remove or block access to any alcoves, nooks or crannies that birds can use to build a nest. Trim back and thin out any trees where birds may want to build a nest.

Unfortunately, not all bird problems can be eliminated by removing the incentives of food, water and shelter. Sometimes repellants and deterrents must be used to dissuade birds from nesting. The best of these are humane and can be highly effective, especially when used in tandem.

To discourage birds from nesting on ledges and rafters, make them inaccessible by installing bird netting on the underside of the rafters. No Knot Bird Netting is ideal for most exclusion applications because it’s fabricated of flame resistant polypropylene, chemically inert, and highly resistant to many chemicals and temperature extremes. In general, good bird netting won’t rot, absorb water, or mildew. The best bird netting is ISO 1806 Protocol Mesh Tested and U.V. stabilized.

Bird netting is effective for use against pigeons, sparrows, starlings, crows and gulls. It comes in several stock sizes and custom cuts--including 2- and 3/4-inch mesh. Unlike many netting products, No Knot netting is light and easy to handle and install. It also comes in different colors--including white, stone and black to blend in with your property.

Another exclusionary method for preventing birds from nesting on ledges and rafters involves the installation of Bird Slope. Birds very quickly get the message that the super slippery angled PVC panels are too slippery to even land on, much less build a nest on. After a few tries, they simply move on to better nesting sites.

Many architects prefer bird slope panels because they can integrate them into the design of the building or structure, making them “invisible.” The panels even come in a variety of different colors to blend in with a building's color scheme. They’re easily installed on most any surface using nails, screws or glue.

To discourage pest birds from large areas, try Bird Sonics. These bird proofing devices keep birds from nesting by emitting predator and distress sounds that birds instinctively seek to avoid. Sonic bird deterrents are ideal for use against crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many others. One sonic system on the market blasts the sound of Peregrine falcons (a pigeon's dreaded enemy) defending their territory. Another system targets starlings and seagulls, emitting the sounds of predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack. There’s even a system that emits distress and predator calls for up to 22 types of birds. The sounds emitted by the best sonic systems sound like normal bird sounds to the human ear.

Getting Rid of Pest Birds

Bryan Donoho

For many people, their home is their greatest asset. It provides shelter, equity, and sense of accomplishment so it is without surprise that most people will do whatever it takes to protect the value and aesthetic properties of their home. Unfortunately, humans are not the only creatures who seek refuge in a house. Pest birds such as pigeons and sparrows find most any house to be a suitable nesting location. Once a bird begins construction on a nest, it is next to impossible to get rid of them. The solution: Solve the problem before it begins. Factors such as disease and property damage further encourage homeowners to get rid of birds to avoid any potential problems.

Birds are very simple creatures but can present some complex problems when nesting on a home. They will seek out any nook or crevice that will provide sufficient shelter. They prefer to be near a food source, so it is always good to check and see if there is any available food. If there is one, get rid of it. This includes bird feeders, trash, pet food, etc. Once birds have established a viable food source, there are very few things that will deter them. After eliminating any potential food sources, getting rid of birds will be much easier.

When attempting to get rid of birds on a home there are three basic kinds of deterrents. These include physical, visual, and sound deterrents. Each different type of deterrent has its place in keeping a home "bird free". By examining these three types of deterrents, one will have a better understanding of how to get rid of birds on a home and hopefully avoid any potential problems.

First off, physical bird deterrents are always the best way to get rid of pest birds. By completely blocking off they're nesting or perching areas, it forces them elsewhere. The most common types of physical bird deterrents are bird spikes and bird netting. Of course, there are other types of physical deterrent, however the majority of the time either netting or bird spikes will do the trick. To understand this, one must have an idea of where the most common nesting and perching areas are on a home. Beginning with the top of the house, birds will often times perch on the roof peak of the structure and the chimney. These areas are used more as a lookout post rather then a nesting area. When encountering this, it is best to install bird spikes along the edges of the roof along with the chimney area. Another option for this situation would be the application of Bird Gel. Bird Gel is applied with a caulking gun and creates a sticky surface that pest birds can't stand.

Nesting situations can be a little more difficult to contain. Once a pest bird has constructed a nest, a physical deterrent is a must. Birds are opportunistic nesters and will find just about any nook or crevice to make their own. For example, dormers are common on most houses and are one of the easiest and safest places for birds to nest. Nesting usually occurs, but is not limited, to the spring and summer months. The pest birds begin by gathering nesting material and packing it in their desired location, in this case, a dormer. If a homeowner can catch the problem at this point it will make deterring them a lot easier. Once identified, this problem can be solved by installing netting over the area where the birds are entering. Netting made of polypropylene or polyethylene are readily available and generally inexpensive. Netting is really the only way to eliminate nesting birds and can be used anywhere on a house. If installed correctly, it is virtually invisible and highly effective.

Last there are the visual and sound bird deterrents. Visual bird deterrents offer a simple yet effective solution to getting rid of birds on a house. The most common types of these include, but are not limited to hawk decoys, mylar flash tape, and flashy balloons. Birds have many natural predators, one of them being the red tail hawk which is found throughout the United States. By placing one of these hawk decoys on top of a house it causes pest birds to avoid the area all together in fear of being the hawk's next meal. The mylar flash tape is very effective when cut into one to three foot strips and placed in trees where large concentrations of birds congregate. This tape puts off a lot of flash and glitter that distorts the vision of the birds causing them to vacate the area. The balloons works in a similar fashion as the flash tape in that it has large metallic "eyes" on all sides that creates extreme discomfort among a pest bird population. These can also be place in trees, on porches, basically anywhere that can support the weight of a beach ball. As far as sound deterrents go, they are proving to be more and more effective as technology expands. These sound units emit a distress call that gives the birds the illusion that one of their own is being attacked by a predatory bird or mammal. Instinctually the pest birds flee the area. Sound units are safe, humane, and will not affect household animals.

After discussing the potential damage pest birds can cause along with solutions, it is easy to see why household bird control is growing in popularity. When it comes down to it, no person wants any animal defacing their home, especially when it comes with the risk of disease. By getting rid of pest birds, one can ensure the aesthetics and equity of their home and more importantly the safety of those living there.