Most people only think about rodents and cockroaches when dealing with stubborn pests. However, it is essential to note that birds can also be a source of nuisance around your home.
They may fly through your windows and block gutters and vents when they build nests in them. Worse still, some birds may leave their droppings, causing a health hazard.
Since many bird species are subject to state and federal protection, you can only use non-lethal pest control techniques to keep them away from the home.
Below are a few tips that can help you achieve this:
Visual Deterrents
Visual deterrents prevent birds from landing on unwanted areas around the home. They come in many varieties, suited for different bird species.
Many have a fire-like reflective surface that scares birds away and feels sticky if they land on them. Some also contain an unpleasant peppermint smell that repels birds.
Decoys
Birds have numerous predators, such as cats and large birds of prey. To scare away birds, you can place objects that resemble their prey around areas where they frequently visit.
You can create decoys using simple wood, metal, and other materials that can withstand outdoor conditions.
When making decoys, ensure you use an ideal predator for the bird you wish to deter from your home. For instance, if an owl is the bird’s natural predator, then an owl-like decoy would work best. Similarly, ensure you move the decoy to different positions to ensure the birds don’t get used to it.
Shiny Deterrents
Shiny objects with reflective surfaces make an excellent deterrent for birds. Besides being highly reflective, they should be able to move slightly when the wind blows to scare birds away.
You may use everyday materials such as aluminum foils, small mirrors, old CDs, cans, and metallic wrappers.
Spikes
When birds want to take a break from flying, they’ll often perch on balconies, fences, and other surfaces that provide a firm grip. Spikes are most effective in controlling perching birds such as crows, pigeons, and other smaller bird species.
They are mostly made from plastic or metal and can be attached to different surfaces using sticky glue. Bird spikes are also effective when attached to window sills and roofs.
Their long, needle-like shape form uncomfortable landing zones, forcing birds to fly away, searching for better alternatives.
Bird Coils
They work like bird spikes and are an excellent alternative for keeping pigeons away from window sills. Unfortunately, the stainless steel coils stretch along window sills and other surfaces, creating instability when birds land on them.
Their unique designs also prevent the accumulation of debris and other materials between the springs, so birds won’t find it easy to build their nests on them.
Bird Wires
They are a series of wires primarily used on exposed pipes and beams. They work by creating an unstable landing ground for birds.
Moreover, they are preferred over spikes since they aren’t easily noticeable by birds.
Bird Nets
If you’re dealing with stubborn birds around your orchard or garden, anti-bird netting is the best solution. It’s also ideal for use on roofs, eaves, and other places birds like to visit. However, when installing the net, take caution not to trap birds as this may lead to injury or death of the trapped birds.
Remove Food and Water Sources
Birds usually come around a home searching for food, nesting spots, and water. As such, eliminating water and food sources may help reduce the number of birds that visit your home.
You only need to:
- Install bird netting over your orchard or garden.
- Keep trash bins covered at all times.
- Remove stagnant water from gutters and sprouts.
- If possible, install gutter guards to prevent access to stagnant water.
Seal House Openings
Bird exclusion devices like coils, spikes, and wires work well in getting rid of pigeons. However, smaller birds like starlings and sparrows have feet designed for clutching objects. They can perch on spikes and even build their nests to cover the spikes.
How then can you prevent smaller birds from nesting around the home? One of the most effective pest control remedies is sealing all openings that smaller bird species may use to get into the attic. You can use sturdy netting or mesh to block the eaves and vents to keep smaller birds away.
Bottom Line:
Due to strict bird protection regulations, getting rid of birds from your compound can sometimes be tedious.
You require patience, constant experimenting, and some financial input to realize success. And if you can not do it yourself, professional pest control services will help you identify the type of birds you are dealing with and how to get rid of them.
Get in touch with us today!
