Time to Get Rid of Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes
Wild turkeys recently invaded an otherwise quiet Vallejo, California neighborhood, creating a nuisance and harassing small children and pets. The turkeys chased kids on their way to school and even went after U.S. mail carriers, in some cases, preventing deliveries. The birds were very aggressive and didn't respond to loud noises or being "fluffed" by umbrellas. They were messy, loud and often ran after cars. Many residents agreed--it was time to get rid of birds.

Some who liked the turkeys were feeding them, but Oakland Zoo officials say feeding the turkeys is not a good idea, since wild turkeys should not be domesticated and must maintain their fear of humans. Officials have reminded residents that these turkeys are not of the "Thanksgiving" variety, but were introduced to California for the purpose of gaming. Many who see the turkeys as bothersome, say they don't want to hunt the gobblers, they just want them relocated to the wild. For some, getting rid of birds is a top priority.

Whether you like them or hate them, wild turkeys who wander into suburbs and other populated areas should be persuaded to leave one's immediate property. Fortunately one can now do so efficiently and humanely.

Popular Bird Proofing Solutions

The Scarecrow--If you've got wild turkeys or any other bird pestering your kids or pets, or if they're leaving droppings everywhere, consider getting a Scarecrow. Pest birds get hit with a stunning blast of water the second they approach its active radius of detection. The sudden water blast, startling sprinkler sound and realistic looking bird-like moving head do some serious and unforgettable "convincing."  Perfect for yards, parks, pools, ponds and virtually any outdoor areas where birds brazenly invade property. Scarecrows are simple to set up and easy to use. They easily connect to almost any garden hose, yet they consume just 2 to 3 cups of water per spray. Scarecrows get rid of birds and cover approximately 1,200 square feet with a stream that reaches out 35 feet and 45 feet wide. Ever vigilant, the scarecrow works day and night for up to 6 months--delivering over 1,000 "firings"--on one 9-volt battery. For added versatility, scarecrows can be easily fine tuned to adjust both their sensitivity and coverage distance.

Mini Scarecrow--For smaller applications, to get rid of birds along walkways or near ponds, there's the Mini Scarecrow. It uses compressed air and sound to scatter pest birds and "persuade" them never to return. Like its big brother, the Mini comes to life the second a pest bird gets within its radius of detection (usually about 3 to 4 feet). Unlike its larger progenitor, the Mini hits birds with a squeal and a harmless blast of air. The Mini's angle of detection and spray angle are easily adjusted to pinpoint the blast. Each can holds over 200 sprays--unless you've got two hundred different wild turkeys, you won't need that many blasts. That's because most birds quickly associate fear with the Mini's zone of protection. Moreover, once they're hit with the spray of air, you can switch to a sound-only mode to conserve the air. Mini scarecrows are ideal for small hard-to-reach areas where pest birds have become a troublesome.

Air Treatment Systems--If wild turkeys are annoying you, nothing says you can't annoy them right back and make them leave. Ideal for open spaces that have been invaded by virtually any pest bird, air treatment systems release a non-toxic mist, fog or scent that irritates a bird's trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes. This is one of the most effective, humane ways to get rid of birds on your property. One commercially available system features a control unit that lets you attach up to 64 misting “drop” units. Each drop unit can cover an area of about 7,000 square feet. And for maximum flexibility, each unit can be set to go off simultaneously or at alternating times. For enclosed or semi enclosed areas (like a large warehouse or retail store), you may only need an "always-on” air treatment system that maintains a constant low level of scents. The chemical released is “pleasant to humans” but really bugs the heck out of birds.

Bird Netting--To keep wild turkeys and other aggressive pest birds out of specific private or public property areas, don't overlook Bird Netting. It works surprisingly well to effectively deny pest birds access to areas you don't want them to invade. You can get bird netting in a variety of types and mesh sizes to deter a full range of birds. For larger birds like turkeys, pigeons or seagulls, a 1-1/8-inch to 2-inch mesh size is ideal. For sparrows or starlings, choose a 3/4-inch mesh size.

For most exterior applications, it's best to go with U.V.-stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof netting. One brand of bird proof netting currently on the market is reputed to withstand severe temperature extremes--from 250-degree Fahrenheit to "sub-zero" temperatures. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference may cause problems. The best bird proof netting meets ISO 1806 protocols.

There's also heavy-duty netting to get rid of birds. Made of high-strength polyethylene, it's ideal for large, high-stress applications. Netting of this type can sometimes have a burst strength of up to 40 pounds. If you're concerned about aesthetics, bird proof netting now comes in a variety of different colors--including white, stone and black to blend in better with its surroundings.

Solar Bird Repellers--Let's face it, you can only wave your arms at wild turkeys and other pest birds so long before your arms get tired. And when they do, it's time to look into these solar powered bird control devices to get rid of birds. Their continuously rotating arms whisk pest birds away, especially large pest birds like turkeys, gulls, pigeons, and crows, cormorants and vultures. The two adjustable “arms” cover up to 5 feet in diameter by turning continuously at 30 RPMs. A solar panel powers a heavy duty, brushless motor. Best of all, Solar Bird Repellers are completely portable, so you can move them around where they're needed most. They can even store the sun's energy to keep turning all night.