Birds can be a nuisance when they congregate in large numbers, cause damage, or become aggressive. While some birds are beautiful additions to any backyard, an overpopulation can quickly become a problem. Before taking action, it’s important to identify what types of birds are causing issues and why they are drawn to an area. Once the source issue is identified, there are humane and legal ways to deter birds from settling in and nesting. With some clever techniques and bird deterrents, it’s possible to reclaim an outdoor space without harming our feathered friends.
What are some common problematic birds?
Here are some of the most common birds that tend to become pests:
Pigeons – Pigeons are found in urban and suburban areas across the world. They gather in large flocks and leave behind a mess of droppings and feathers. Pigeons are drawn to ledges on buildings and will also roost on awnings, signs, and wires. Their droppings can damage paint, stonework, and metal fixtures.
European starlings – Invasive starlings often form large, noisy flocks and compete with native bird species for food and nesting areas. They are aggressive and territorial and will take over areas like vents, attics, andcavities to build nests. Their droppings can harbor diseases.
Sparrows – The House Sparrow is another invasive species that tends to take up residence wherever humans live. They build messy nests on and under building eaves. Sparrows can be very noisy with constant chirping.
Geese – Flocks of geese can quickly wear out their welcome. They graze on grassy areas and their droppings can create a mess. Large flocks may become territorial during nesting season. Their droppings can contaminate water sources.
Seagulls – Found in coastal regions, seagulls flock to areas with easy food sources. They are loud, aggressive, and known for “dive bombing” to snatch food. Their droppings damage buildings and vehicles.
Crows – American Crows congregate in large, noisy groups. They damage crops and leave droppings everywhere. Crows are intelligent birds that are hard to scare away from an area once they establish themselves.
Woodpeckers – While woodpeckers serve an important purpose controlling insects, sometimes they do structural damage as they drill holes in wood siding and trim boards. Their constant pecking noise can be a nuisance.
Why do birds congregate in certain areas?
There are some key reasons birds tend to take up residence en masse in certain locations:
Food source – Birds congregate wherever there is an abundant food source. Common bird feeders provide a constant buffet, as do pet food bowls left outside, open trash cans, litter, and crumbs left in outdoor seating areas. Birds will also hang around where insects are plentiful.
Water – Birdbaths, fountains, pools, and other water sources provide drinking and bathing opportunities. Areas near lakes or the ocean also appeal to certain waterfowl.
Shelter – Birds seek out covered areas and cavities for roosting, building nests and shelter from the elements and predators. Building overhangs, vents,attics, and dense trees or shrubbery often attract nesting birds.
Lack of predators – Birds will settle in where they don’t face threats from other animals. Urban and suburban areas provide a relatively safe haven, especially when natural habitats decrease.
Native species competition – Some invasive species gravitate to developed areas where native birds aren’t as abundant. Starlings and House Sparrows are examples of aggressive non-native species.
Mating and nesting – Springtime brings courtship, mating, and nesting behaviors that cause birds to stake out their territory. Areas that provide nesting material will be popular.
Roosting sites – Some species, like starlings and crows, form large night-time roosts, often settling into the same spots in trees and shrubs repeatedly.
Problems caused by nuisance birds
Nuisance birds can cause a variety of problems:
Droppings and feathers – Droppings on outdoor furniture, vehicles, pool decks, play equipment, etc. is unsanitary and difficult to clean. Droppings also stain and damage stone, wood, metal, and painted surfaces.
Nests – Large, messy nests built in rain gutters, roof vents, chimneys, etc. can lead to clogs and blockages, resulting in water damage or even chimney fires. They must be manually removed.
Noise – Many birds are very noisy with nonstop chirping, squawking, and fighting. This is disruptive to homeowners, especially during breeding season when birds are territorial.
Odor – Left uncleaned, layers of bird droppings create an unpleasant ammonia-like odor. Their nests and feathers also generate odors.
Health hazards – Droppings may contain over 60 transmissible diseases harmful to humans and pets. Psittacosis, histoplasmosis, encephalitis, and salmonella are examples.
Aggressiveness – Some birds display aggressive behavior such as pecking, clawing, attacking, and dive bombing around nests.
Damage – Woodpeckers bore holes. Sparrows and other birds may peck at window screens. Pigeons can scratch paint and etch glass. Starlings rip off roof shingles to access nesting areas.
Transmission lines – Large flocks settling on transmission towers and lines can cause power outages. Their droppings coat insulators.
Crop damage – Flocks descend on farms and orchards decimating crops and fruit trees. Their droppings also damage plants.
Aircraft hazards – Birds get sucked into aircraft engines or smash into planes causing structural damage. From 1990 to 2009 over 200 people died in bird-plane collisions.
Types of bird deterrents
There are many types of humane bird deterrents to discourage birds from settling in and nesting:
Physical bird deterrents
Physical deterrents create a physical barrier the birds don’t want to contend with.
– Bird netting – Netting strung over roosting areas, rafters, trees, etc. tangles birds and deters nest building.
– Wire mesh – Stainless steel mesh over vents, chimneys, ledges, etc. blocks access.
– Motion-activated sprinklers – When birds land, the sprinkler activates scaring them away. The intermittent nature works better than steady water flow.
– Porcupine wire – Coils of stiff, spiky wire rolled out along ledges and rafters annoys birds that try to land.
– Bird spikes – Spike strips make it impossible for birds to comfortably perch or roost in an area. Various spike designs are available.
– Slope modifications – Changing the angle of ledges from 90 to 45 degrees prevents birds from gaining a foothold.
Auditory bird deterrents
Sounds, alarms, and noises frighten birds away. However, they may become used to constant noise so intermittent action works best.
– Sonic, ultrasonic, predator bird calls – Devices emit distress calls, danger signals, or predatory bird sounds that scare pest birds.
– Motion-activated alarms – Alarms triggered by movement frighten birds. Some produce loud sounds while others spray water.
– Banging pans, whistles – Simple noisemakers are effective when used consistently at first sight of birds. Avoid letting them become accustomed to the sounds.
– Loud music – Playing loud music intermittently makes problematic areas very undesirable to birds.
Visual deterrents
Visual devices startle birds or give the perception of danger causing them to avoid the area.
– Scare-eye balloons – Lifelike predator eyes move in the breeze. Balloons in bird shapes like hawks are effective.
– Reflective tape – Mylar flashing tape distracts and confuses birds. Red/silver models resemble predator eyes.
– Predator decoys – Fake owls, snakes, coyotes, etc. placed around will initially scare birds. Move them frequently for best results.
– Scarecrows – Traditional or high-tech moving scarecrows startle birds. Some are remote controlled allowing sporadic motion.
– Shiny objects – Pie pans, aluminum foil pans, old CDs swinging in trees create uncomfortable reflections and noise.
– Lasers – Non-harmful laser pointers flashed intermittently startle and confuse night roosting flocks.
Smell and taste deterrents
Birds avoid areas that smell or taste unpleasant. However, rain will wash away so reapplication is key.
– Repellent gel – Clear, sticky gels create a tacky footing on ledges and roofs that birds dislike.
– Liquid bird repellents – Garlic, cinnamon, mint, and other natural oils mixed with water applied to affected areas annoy birds. Reapply after rain.
– Methyl anthranilate – Grape flavoring added to standing water creates distasteful drinking conditions for birds.
– Spray repellents – Chemical sprays containing grapeseed oil, mint, etc. deter birds but may need reapplying.
Tips when using bird deterrents
Follow these tips to increase the effectiveness of bird deterrents:
– Start early before birds establish territories and nests. It’s easier to keep them away than to get them to leave.
– Use multiple tactics like noise + physical exclusion. Varying stimuli improves results.
– Position carefully to cover entrances, perches, and nesting spots birds use.
– Move decoys, balloons, etc. frequently so birds don’t become accustomed.
– Apply taste/smell repellents during dry conditions and reapply periodically.
– Check that deterrents remain securely installed. Birds may dislodge loose items.
– Be patient. It may take days or weeks for stubborn birds to get the message.
– Avoid harming birds, eggs, active nests which violates federal law.
– Look for inhumane traps or poisons which cause immense suffering. Use legal humane options only.
– Seek expert advice for large-scale infestations at commercial properties or public places.
Why deter birds humanely?
While birds can be annoying pests, it’s important to manage them humanely for these reasons:
It’s the law – All native bird species are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Harming birds, eggs, or active nests carries fines up to $15,000 and prison.
Prevent diseases – Killing birds contributes to unsanitary conditions. It’s better to humanely deter birds than to create a health hazard from dead carcasses.
Environmental balance – Birds play important roles in controlling insects and pollinating so indiscriminate killing can have ecosystem consequences.
Public perception – Customers and the public won’t look favorably on businesses that poison, trap, or harm birds. Humane methods project a responsible image.
Long-term solutions – Lethal methods don’t address what’s attracting birds. Deterrents modify the property to permanently discourage roosting.
Prevent harm – Some deterrents like trimming trees cause unintended injuries and deaths. Carefully inspect first.
Ethical responsibility – We share habitats with wildlife and should make reasonable accommodations. Birds don’t understand property lines.
Deterring birds humanely is effective and aligned with public sentiment about ethical wildlife treatment. With some foresight, nuisance birds can be safely nudged along without requiring harmful measures. A property modified to be less bird-friendly will result in fewer problems year after year.
When to call in professionals
In some cases, it’s best to call in a professional pest control company or wildlife management service to deal with problematic birds. Here are some scenarios that warrant professional assistance:
– Large established infestations with many nests already built. Professionals have lifts and proper gear to access high areas safely. They can also remove nests without breaking federal laws.
– Significant property damage has already occured from prolonged bird infestation. Correcting issues like structural damage, extensive droppings, and nests in critical areas is best left to experts.
– Birds roosting in challenging locations like industrial facilities, commercial sites, or public spaces like ballparks. Difficult locations require specialized equipment and training.
– A migratory bird roost involving multiple species totaling thousands of birds. The scale of the problem calls for strategic deterrent methods.
– Preventing aircraft bird strikes. Airports and military bases retain wildlife biologists to track bird movements and reduce risks.
– The infestation keeps returning despite numerous deterrents. An expert can spot holes in the current bird management plan.
– You rent and the landlord won’t take action. Many cities or states have ordinances requiring landlords address pest bird issues.
– Working at dangerous heights or using high-powered lasers. Professionals have harnesses, lifts, and specialized gear to work safely on tall structures.
Don’t let a bird problem get out of control. Small infestations can be tackled DIY-style with some clever techniques. But if nuisance birds persist despite numerous deterrents, call in reinforcements. Let qualified pros take over when a situation calls for advanced skill, special equipment, and working at heights or hazardous locations.
Top 5 most effective bird deterrents
After reviewing the various types of bird deterrents available, here are 5 of the most effective options:
Bird netting – Netting provides full physical exclusion and can be adapted to almost any space. Durable UV-resistant netting holds up for years. Can be tricky to install on some roofs or unequal surfaces.
Motion-activated sprinklers – The sporadic startling bursts of water scare birds away. Easy to install and move. May deter desirable birds visiting your property too. Not suitable for cold climates.
Bird spikes – Prevent roosting on any flat surface and comes in transparent options. Can be tricky to properly install on uneven brick or stone. Need occasional cleaning.
Ultrasonic acoustic deterrents – Emits high frequency distress calls only birds hear. Set on randomized intermittent patterns works best. Limited to smaller covered spaces, not ideal for open roosting areas.
Falconry service – Trained hawks and falcons swoop near problematic flocks for short-term dispersal. Provides a natural method but ongoing service for permanent reduction. May not be available in all regions.
Conclusion
Nuisance pest birds can quickly become a messy, destructive problem around homes and businesses. Their droppings, noise, aggression, and damage try one’s patience. But despite the impulse to trap or poison birds, inhumane methods are illegal, unethical, and ineffective long-term solutions. The key is identifying what is attracting birds and modifying the location with humane bird deterrents. Physical barriers, startling sounds, menacing decoys, and taste repellents can all persuade birds to move on. With persistence and patience, problem birds can be successfully driven away for good.