Bird Deterrents to Control Invasive Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

Among the family of pest birds that plague our homes and businesses, one can include the bird type known as "invasive birds." Birds that fall into this category can pose a problem for wildlife, agriculture and, most alarmingly, human health. So what constitutes an invasive bird?

For starters, invasive species are not native to a particular area. Without bird deterrents to control them, they will threaten the local ecosystem and economy, and pose significant human health risks. It should be noted that not every non-native bird can be classified as invasive. Many of these nomads readily adapt to new and different ecosystems without threatening these habitats. Only when a species significantly impacts a new area can it be labeled as invasive. It's also worth noting that a species that may be considered invasive in one area may be entirely innocuous in a different region.

Birds that many consider invasive in North America include the European starling, house sparrow, mallard, mute swan, rock pigeon and Canada goose. These species and others who fall into the category of invasive are introduced to an "invaded area" a number of ways. One way is simply through geographic expansion, e.g., when one species crowds out another threatening the species or the ecosystem that supports it. Another way a species becomes invasive is when it is deliberately imported as in the case of early European settlers who brought over birds they liked from their native countries, or when farmers imported birds to control the threat of insects.

Regardless of how they came to an area, unless they are controlled with bird deterrents, invasive birds can create all sorts of problems. They compete for nesting sites and food sources, they eat crops and seeds, they carry any of 60 known diseases, and they disrupt an area's ecological predator/prey balance.

In many areas, invasive bird species are protected by wildlife conservation measures or migratory bird treaties. Before attempting any lethal means of control, property owners should contact their local wildlife management office. The other alternative is, of course, to use non-lethal bird deterrents. These are effective, humane, and run the gamut from simple to high tech. Let's look at a few.

Best Pest Bird Deterrents

by Alex A. Kecskes
Pest birds are far more than a nuisance. They cost homeowners, boat owners and businesses millions every year. Roofs are damaged, paint and wood are ruined, canvas covers are permanently stained, and building facades are left unsightly and corroded.

Bird droppings also create significant health hazards. They carry up to 60 known diseases that can infect children using playground equipment, customers eating at outdoor restaurants, and children playing in schools. One begins to see the need for bird deterrents in preventing all sorts of problems.

These days, it takes more than shouting and waving your hands to discourage birds from laying claim to an area. Today's bird deterrents run the gamut from simple to complex. All have achieved a level of success in discouraging pest birds from landing and nesting.

A good place to start when discussing bird deterrents is the simple flash tape. This is basically a bird scare device made of iridescent material that shimmers and shines in the sunlight. Birds see this and they get disoriented and confused. The tape also creates a metallic crackling sound as it flagellates in the wind, which birds would rather avoid when they're trying to land. Flash tape can be used indoors or out and is ideal for use in warehouses, docks, farms, barns, sheds, storage areas, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks, virtually any area where pest birds tend to gather.

Best Pest Bird Deterrents

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds are far more than a nuisance. They cost homeowners, boat owners and businesses millions every year. Roofs are damaged, paint and wood are ruined, canvas covers are permanently stained, and building facades are left unsightly and corroded.

Bird droppings also create significant health hazards. They carry up to 60 known diseases that can infect children using playground equipment, customers eating at outdoor restaurants, and children playing in schools. One begins to see the need for bird deterrents in preventing all sorts of problems.

These days, it takes more than shouting and waving your hands to discourage birds from laying claim to an area. Today's bird deterrents run the gamut from simple to complex. All have achieved a level of success in discouraging pest birds from landing and nesting.

A good place to start when discussing bird deterrents is the simple flash tape. This is basically a bird scare device made of iridescent material that shimmers and shines in the sunlight. Birds see this and they get disoriented and confused. The tape also creates a metallic crackling sound as it flagellates in the wind, which birds would rather avoid when they're trying to land. Flash tape can be used indoors or out and is ideal for use in warehouses, docks, farms, barns, sheds, storage areas, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks, virtually any area where pest birds tend to gather.

Bird Deterrents…from Low-Tech to High-Tech

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can be loud, annoying, destructive, even hazardous to one's health and well-being.

But thanks to modern technology, man has come up with a number of ingenious ways to discourage these fine-feathered pests from landing, roosting and nesting on valued property. These bird deterrents run the gamut from low-tech flashy banners to high-tech ultrasonic systems that annoy pest birds almost as much as they annoy us.

Among the most elementary and economical is the Bird Scare deterrent. These reflective banners and balloons are usually made of metal foil or shiny tape and are animated by even the gentlest breeze. Some balloons have large predator eyes. And all work on the principle of creating an “Optical Distraction Zone.” Aside from being fairly inexpensive, these scare-eye diverters can be easily affixed to almost any point or surface pest birds tend to land. Bird scare products are perfect for boats, patios, pool areas, overhangs, gazebos, and other open areas, even vineyards and orchards.

Bird Deterrents Say "Shoo" to Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

We have a love-hate relationship with our fine-feathered friends. Poets love them. Property managers can do without them. Like anything in this world, too many birds can be a real problem. Suddenly, what was endearing becomes a pest. One that's noisy, messy and damaging to almost everything it lands on. The solution? Bird deterrents.

In days of old, this meant culling by birdshot, trained predator –like hawks, or poisons. Today, thanks to environmentalists, there are far more humane ways of discouraging pest birds. These bird deterrents have come just in time. For today, pest birds have so many more places to perch, nest and wreak havoc.

It's no surprise to many that the damage pest birds cause cost businesses and municipalities millions annually. Their droppings contain highly concentrated uric acid, which can alter the color of painted surfaces, permanently stain wood and, over time, erode even metal and stone. Many a stone façade or gleaming bronze statue has been reduced to pitted or crumbling rubble thanks to bird droppings. And many have been saved from this fate by bird deterrents.

Bird deterrents

What they are, why you need them

By Alex A. Kecskes

Birds love to perch in covered areas, and once they’ve targeted your property as “home,” they’ll come back time and again to create quite a mess. It’s a problem that goes beyond appearance.  The damage pest birds and bird droppings cause can cost you big money. The high concentration of uric acid found in bird waste can discolor paint, stain wood and eventually erode metal. There’s also the health risk of bacteria and parasites that live and grow in bird droppings. These can carry and transmit any of over 60 known diseases. All the more reason to birdproof your home or business. Taking steps to rid your property of birds is an investment that will save you time, money and lot of aggravation.

There are a number of humane bird-deterrent products that can keep pest birds off your property. They require no maintenance and are easy to install. Bird deterrent spikes are ideal for pigeons and other large birds. Some have spikes made of strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate. Others have flexible stainless steel spikes. Bird deterrent spiders are particularly useful for light fixtures, and patio covers. The spider arms move with the breeze, keeping birds from landing. They are sturdy and stable, come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install and maintenance free. The products won’t harm birds, large or small.

Bird Pest Deterrents for Gardens and Orchards

Image via Wikipedia

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds have been known to attack gardens and orchards, costing growers and garden lovers all sorts of grief and expense. They can eat flower buds, strip ornamental berries, and attack radishes, turnips, rutabagas, cabbages, cauliflower, canola, and kale. In spring, they can steal seeds and damage seedlings. And when summer rolls around, pest birds can take fruit and seriously damage turf.

Specifically, blackbirds, thrushes jays and pigeons will eat autumn berries and fruits. They can also attack cotoneaster, berberis, pyracantha and sorbus plants. Flower buds often fall victim to bullfinches, hawfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches, and sparrows.