By: Meredith Walako
Spring is a busy time for birds. Warmer temperatures increase food sources, and birds are on the look out for new nesting spots, and mates. Whether they are returning from a winter migration or resident birds weary from a long winter hall, they have a lot of work to be done before autumn.
Birds are in survival mode in the spring. In order to get through the next winter, they will be searching for spots that provide the elements needed to survive. Most homes and gardens provide the three elements necessary for a birds’ survival;
Whether you anticipate birds returning to your home, or are dealing with a pest bird problem now, addressing these three elements will make it easy to bird proof a home for the spring. Taking away food or water sources, and blocking off ideal nesting spots like dryer vents and eaves will help send pest birds packing.
Doing a quick check around the home in the beginning stages of spring can mean the difference between successfully deterring pest birds or not. Have you had a recurring problem with nesting birds? If yes, treating these spots with deterrents before the birds return will yield better results than waiting until they have come back. Once they begin to build a nest, birds will be more persistent about keeping the spot.
Common places pest birds like to nest:
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Dryer Vents
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Eaves
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Open Attics
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Garages, Barns or Boathouses
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Under roof tiles
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Under A.C. units
Checking these areas for nesting materials will clue you in as to whether this may be a problem spot. Birds like to nest high, so check beams, ledges, and rafters. If there are nesting materials, a cleanup is essential. Bird droppings and nests can host disease and parasites. A good cleaning will not only protect you and your family from any disease, but also eliminate scents that help a bird identify their old nest.
There are many different bird deterrents available in today’s market that can be use for a wide variety of problems. Bird Deterrents usually fit into Four categories;
Visual Bird Deterrents
Visual deterrents are meant to been seen by birds, to frighten or scare them away from open areas. Visual deterrents will have shiny reflective surfaces, or mock predator features. Visual bird deterrents include Mylar flash tape, Scare Eye Diverters, and Balloons. There are also decoys like owls available. These items work best when hung right in front of a problem area. When the bird fly’s towards the spot, they will see the visual deterrents and get confused or frightened, and want to avoid the area.
Sound Deterrents for Birds
Sound deterrents use recorded bird calls to deter pest birds from large open spaces. A mixture of predator calls, and distress calls can be used to alert birds in the surrounding area of danger. Most sound deterrents are weatherproof and designed for outdoor use. These are ideal to use when you have a large open space to treat. Sound deterrents include the Bird Chase Super Sonic.
Physical Bird Deterrents
Physical deterrents are used to block or prevent birds from gaining access to the area they desire. Physical deterrents include bird netting, and ledge products like the Bird Spike 2000, Bird Slope, and Bird Jolt Flat Track. Bird netting is installed as a screen to block birds from entering areas. Bird Spike, Bird Slope, Bird Gel and Jolt are all used on ledges to prevent birds from landing.
Liquid Bird Repellents
There are also a few liquid repellents used for discouraging birds. Pest control companies can work with fogging machines, or Misting units to deter birds from large open spaces.
Used in these two types of devices are a non toxic grape extract that irritate a birds mucous membranes. If you had a large tree in your backyard where hundreds of birds were congregating, you could call out a pest control company to fog or mist the tree to repel the birds.
There are also live bird traps, and a few other types of bird deterrents available. Knowing what type of bird you are having a problem with, and considering the area that is being affected will help in choosing the best product for the situation. Contacting a bird control company like Absolute Bird Control or Bird-B-Gone can also help ensure that you have chosen the right product. You also have the choice of calling a local pest control company, most pest control companies can help with a pest bird problem.
If this is the first year you are having problems with nesting birds, or had caught the problem too late, there is still hope. As long as you address the bird problem as soon as you notice it, and continue a campaign of harassment, you should have good luck in ridding your home of pest birds.
