How To Keep Birds Away From Your Pool

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you have pest birds hanging around your pool, you know the problems they cause. They leave droppings everywhere, which means frequent (and expensive) pool cleanings and constant hosing down of walkways, railings and steps. If you live in Southern California, ducks can be a big problem around pools. So can pigeons and grackles.

Sometimes birds clean out their nests and drop their waste in and around a pool. They often do this to avoid drawing predators to their nests. Black birds will sometimes spit in a pool. Some homeowners have resorted to poisons and BB guns. Not a good idea if you have pets or kids around (it’s also illegal to kill or harm certain birds). Others have taken to placing rubber snakes around the pool. These can be initially traumatizing to small children, and some pets have a tendency to chew and eat them. There are effective bird control devices you can use that will keep pest birds away from your pool without risking danger to people, kids, birds or pets. They include:

Bird Sonics. Mounted under eaves, patio covers or gazebos, these bird repellent devices can keep pest birds away from your pool or spa. Bird sonics emit predator and distress calls that birds instinctively fee from. They work on a bird's natural fear of predators, as well as their acutely sensitive hearing (birds can process sounds in 1/200th of a second; humans process sounds in 1/20th of a second).

Sonic bird deterrents work well against pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many other species. One commercially available sonic system 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 hawk screeching and gulls under attack. The best sonic systems will regularly alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds. This keeps pest birds from getting used to repetitive sounds. One popular system can emit distress and predator calls for as many as 22 types of birds. The calls are repeated once every fifteen minutes. Sonic bird deterrents are not harmful to birds, pets or humans. The sounds they emit merely resemble normal bird sounds.

Visual Scare Deterrents. These include Bird Scare Balloons, flash tape and twine. The balloons feature large predator eyes that make birds really nervous. Scare Bird Diverters use the same principle. They feature a giant predator eye and can be hung under eaves to frighten birds. To keep birds, geese and ducks away from pools, fill bird scare balloons one-fourth full of water, and the rest with air. The balloons will float around the pool with predator eyes and shiny reflective surfaces constantly in motion to keep birds away.

When using visual scare devices, it’s important to move them around occasionally to prevent swallows from getting used to them.

Scarecrows. Any pest birds that approach this device’s radius of protection get hit with a stunning but harmless blast of water. The sudden water blast, alarming sprinkler sound and realistic looking bird-like moving head "persuade" birds to stay away. Scarecrows are simple to set up and easy to use. They connect to almost any garden hose, yet they consume just 2 to 3 cups of water per spray. Scarecrows cover approximately 1,200 square feet with a stream that reaches out 35 feet and 45 feet wide. They work day and night for up to 6 months and deliver over 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery. For added versatility, scarecrows can be easily fine tuned to adjust both their sensitivity and coverage distance. Incidentally, kids and dogs love to play with these devices.

Mini Scarecrow. For smaller applications, say to keep pest birds away from walkways, pool steps, diving boards or railings, there's the Mini Scarecrow. It uses compressed air and sound to scatter pest birds and "convince" them to avoid the area. Like its big brother, the Mini comes to life the second a pest bird gets within 3 to 4 feet of its sensor. Unlike its larger brother, the Mini hits birds with a squeal and a harmless blast of air. You can easily adjust Mini's angle of detection and spray angle to zero in on trouble spots. Each can holds over 200 sprays.

How to Keep Birds Away from Eaves, Canopies and Awnings

 

As a homeowner, you know the problems pest birds can create when they’re allowed to roost and nest in eaves, canopies, awnings and other covered areas around your home. The beams of your patio cover, gazebo  and other elevated backyard structures offer an ideal sanctuary for birds. These areas protect them from weather and predators. Unfortunately, when  birds gather there, they create quite a mess down below—on your patio table, chairs, BBQ, walkways, spa, pool and thru-window serving bars. Kids toys can also become covered with disease carrying bird droppings.
Fortunately, there are a number of effective and humane bird control products you can use to keep birds away from your eaves, canopies and awnings:

Garden Bird Netting

A lightweight, easy to handle mesh, Garden Bird Netting physically denies pest birds access to specific areas of your home. It comes in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls and can easily be cut down to the size you need. It’s also available in three different "mesh" sizes: 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" mesh. The netting installs easily under eaves and other areas, and bird netting clips are available to further speed installation. The best garden bird netting is made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene. It’s strong, lightweight, designed for temporary use and practically invisible.

Bird Slope

Another bird control product that effectively denies birds access to your eaves is Bird Slope. The angled PVC panels won’t allow birds to gain a solid footing on its slippery surface. After a few tries of “squirrel-caging” on the panel, birds just give up and move on. Bird slope panels come in different colors to blend in with your home’s exterior. The panels are easy to install using glue, nails or screws and they're basically maintenance free.

Copper Stuf-Fit Mesh

If your home has a number of small holes and crevices under the eaves and other architecture, Copper Stuf-Fit mesh will keep birds out. It works great for all those tight spaces too small for regular netting or other bird control products. The mesh comes in 20-foot and 100-foot roles and can be “shaped” to conform to the area needed to keep birds out. Stuf-Fit mesh holds its shape in small, narrow areas so birds can’t “work” their way around it. The mesh can even keep birds from getting under your roofing tiles, retractable awnings, and junctions where pipes enter your siding or foundation.

No Nasty Nest

Simple but effective, No Nasty Nest uses hanging "twine" to block birds from potential  nesting sites. Confronted with working through a gauntlet of twine strips, birds will simply move on to a better nesting spot. If you had swallow mud nests under the eaves and sides of your home last year, No Nasty Nest makes a great bird deterrent. Each strip of No Nasty Nest features a self-adhering back for quick application on eaves, gables, entryways and other areas.

Crow Attacks Halt Residential Mail Service

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.

How to Keep Birds Away from Garages and Sheds

by Alex Kecskes

If your home has a separate garage or shed, you probably have pest birds roosting and nesting either inside or under the  eaves.  Birds love to perch on the rooftops and exposed beams of these structures.  And unless you deter them with some bird control device,  birds will continue to gather in greater numbers in and around these structures. Eventually, birds will even start to nest and roost under the eaves of your home.

The longer you wait to implement some effective bird control measures, the more brazen the birds will become.  They’ll start to gather in your back yard and leave droppings all over your pool, spa, patio, and BBQ.  Keep in mind that birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. If you have children or pets, you’ll be cleaning up the bird droppings on a daily basis.

The good news is that there are a number of humane and effective bird deterrents that you can use. Here are a few that you should look into:

Garden Bird Netting

Lightweight and easy to handle, Garden Mesh Netting will block birds from specific nesting sites around your shed or garage.   It comes in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls, but you can easily cut it down to the size. It’s also available in three different "mesh" sizes--1/4" mesh, 1/2" mesh and 3/4" mesh. It’s easy to install under eaves and other areas, especially if you use the bird netting clips that are recommended. The netting is made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene. It’s strong, lightweight and virtually invisible.

Bird Slope

Scientifically designed to keep pest birds away from eaves and similar nooks and crannies, Bird Slope are slippery PVC panels that mount under eaves  to prevent birds from gaining a foothold. They scramble and “squirrel-cage” with their little toes and finally give up, moving on to other more hospitable areas. The best bird slope panels are UV protected and sun- and weather-resistant to last longer. Bird slope is ideal for deterring a wide range of birds—including swallows, starlings, pigeons and seagulls. The panels blend in with most architectural styles and they’re now available in two colors--stone and grey.

Copper Stuf-Fit Mesh

Ideal for keeping pest birds out of small holes and crevices, Copper Stuf-Fit mesh creates a physical barrier that blocks out birds. It’s ideal for use in openings and tight spaces too small for regular netting or other products. The mesh comes in 20-foot and 100-foot roles and can be “formed” into the shape of the area needed to deny birds access. The wire mesh will hold its shape in tight areas to prevent birds from “working” their way around it. It can also be used to block birds from getting under roofing tiles, retractable awnings, and where pipes enter siding or foundations.

No Nasty Nest

Ideal for use in blocking swallows, No Nasty Nest consists of hanging "twine" that denies birds access to nesting sites. Faced with wading through the twine strips, birds will simply move on to a better spot to nest. If you have swallow mud nests under the eaves and sides of your garage, shed or home, you’ll want to get this bird deterrent. Each strip of No Nasty Nest has a self-adhering back for fast application on eaves, gables, entryways and other areas.

How to Keep Gulls Away from Your Home

by Alex A. Kecskes

If your home has been besieged by gulls, you know what a nuisance they can be. These scavengers will eat just about anything that’s on your patio, boat dock or backyard. That includes fish, insects, mollusks, worms, mice, young birds, bird eggs, and berries. When gulls feast and gather, they'll leave an awful mess. They can cover your backyard and patio area with smelly, disease carrying droppings and rotting fish. If they use your rooftop to tear apart their prey, they can dislodge and damage roofing tiles and other rooftop structures.

Like most birds, it’s not just one type of gull you have to worry about. There are over 45 species of gulls. Your typical gull is a medium to large bird with a mostly white body and grey or black markings on the wings and tail. Their stout, orange bills and webbed feet make them easily recognizable. While gulls are often found near large bodies of water like bays, inlets and lakes (as well as the ocean), they have been known to venture inland for food. So don’t be surprised to see them on the roof of your home or patio if your home is miles inland. 

To keep gulls away from your home, you should first remove any open food source such as open trashcans or pet food. After that, you’ll need some effective bird control measures to keep them away. Here are three bird deterrents the pros use:

Bird Spikes for Gulls

Gulls regularly choose the roof of a home or structure to roost on. The peak of a roof is an especially desired area as it provides a nice look out point for food and predators. Bird Spikes are a humane product used to keep gulls off roof lines, parapet walls, pilings and other areas. Bird Spikes simply create an uneven surface that gulls know they cant land on. Spikes that are pre-assembled, such as the Stainless or Plastic versions are easiest to install.

Bird Spiders

Bird Spiders have spindly arms that whip about in the wind. Gulls see these and will simply move on to a friendlier landing perch. Bird Spiders are easy to set up on decks, posts, atop light fixtures, rooftops, fixed umbrellas and awnings. These bird deterrents are available in 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-foot arm lengths to create larger and larger areas of bird deterrence. Look for bird spiders that feature a glue-on base, which can be attached to most surfaces.

Sonic Gull Control

No gull likes to hear his fellow gulls being attacked. Or the sound of Peregrine falcons screeching in for the kill. Bird Sonic Deterrents exploit these fears and drive gulls away. These devices broadcast prerecorded distress and predator calls that resemble normal bird sounds to humans. One popular device features a built-in speaker that covers up to one acre. The unit can be programmed to turn on or off at night, and you can even adjust the volume.

How to Get Rid of Pest Birds Once and for All

by Alex A. Kecskes

Are you tired of all those bird droppings around your backyard? Wish you could get rid of those birds attacking your fruit trees? Or how about those birds pooping on your boat or RV in your side yard? 

Seems every few months, you have to spend hours scraping bird droppings off your boat cover or RV (not to mention, the nests and bird debris all over your RV’s AC unit). Then there’s cleaning your driveway and scrubbing bird droppings off your fence and gate. All that time wasted. If you’re lucky, you removed the bird droppings in time—before they permanently damaged anything. 

The question you have to ask yourself is, how long are you going to put up with the nuisance of pest birds? You tried hosing the birds away—but they just came back. You tried using your pellet gun, but that just sent pellets into your neighbor’s yard and caused arguments.

Speaking of your neighbor, you noticed that he doesn’t have any pest birds around his yard or home. And you wonder , why is that? Maybe he did something to keep his home and yard pest bird free.  Maybe he consulted a bird control expert who advised him on how to get rid of pest birds.

Here’s what the bird control expert might have advised your neighbor (and you) to do to get rid of those annoying pest birds:

Hang up Some Visual Bird Deterrents

The experts refer to these as Bird Scare Deterrents and they'll uses phrases like “create a visual distraction zone” or “bird intimidation.” But all you need to know is that they’re inexpensive, effective and easy to install. The best of breed in this category are the Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons. They feature a big, scary “mock” predator eyeball that birds think is a huge predator sizing them up for a meal.  You can hang these on the back of your boat or RV, in trees, patios, fences or any highly elevated area around your home. These balloons and diverters bob and weave in the breeze, which makes them look alive. Of course, birds may eventually get used to them,which is why you need to move them around from time to time.

Set Up a Sonic Bird Deterrent

Pest birds are ever vigilant when it comes to imminent threats. They detect sounds faster than humans. Sonic Bird Deterrents exploit these characteristics by broadcasting the sounds of distress and predator calls. Birds hear their compadres being attacked and they beat wing away from your home and backyard. The sounds resemble normal bird squawks to humans, so they won’t bother you, your neighbor or pets. One popular sonic bird deterrent unit covers up to one acre, comes with a volume control, and you can even pre-set it to turn on or off at night.

Keeping Your Patio & Patio Covers Pest Bird Free

by Alex A. Kecskes

Birds like to perch on patio covers to get the “lay of the land” of your patio. They’ll loiter there and wait to see what you’re BBQing or serving for your outdoor breakfast, lunch or dinner. And the minute the opportunity presents itself, they’ll dive bomb your patio table for any uncovered, unguarded food. The worst part is, they’ll also leave bird droppings on your table and (heaven forbid) on any uncovered food.  So needless to say, you want to keep pest birds away from your patio covers and patio area. One way to do that is with effective bird deterrents. Here are just a few of the most popular bird control measures:

Creating a Visual Distraction Zone

Birds, in general, are easily shooed away—either by noise or a moving object that makes them too nervous to stay. Bird scare deterrents do just that. They include Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which reflect sunlight and crackle in the breeze. Equally effective are Scare Eye Diverters, which are large teardrop shaped plastic panels with a large “mock” predator eye and shiny reflective surface.  Many homeowners also like to use Bird Scare Balloons, which are beach-ball size deterrents covered with large predator eyes. These visual deterrents are all fairly economical and easy to attach to various areas of your balcony, patio, or gazebo. The one thing to keep in mind is that birds are not dummies, so you’ll need to move these deterrents around from time to time to prevent birds from getting used to them.

A Sound Investment in Bird Control

They’re called Sonic Bird Deterrents and they’re easily set up on your patio cover or under the roof of your gazebo. They emit bird distress and predator calls that sound just like normal bird sounds to the average human. But the sounds are threatening to birds, and they would much rather leave than stick around. One popular bird sonic system can emit distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. It comes with a built-in speaker and covers up to one acre. With a system like this, your patio will be protected from pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many other types of birds. The system can be programmed to turn on or off at night and your can adjust the volume of sounds emitted.

Hawk Decoys, the Decorative Deterrent

Red tailed hawks are the natural predators of most pest birds. And unlike owls that hunt at night (when most birds are sleeping), Hawks hunt during the day. The key thing to remember about hawk decoys is they have to be realistic and of high quality. They should be fabricated of heavy-duty plastic to maintain their appearance after several seasons of harsh weather. A couple of hawk decoys, strategically placed around your patio can be an effective pest bird deterrent. Just remember to move them around and reposition them from time to time for best effect.