Bird Control to Keep Your Pool and Spa Free of Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you own a home with a pool or spa, it can be a great source of pride and an ideal amenity in the summertime. As a responsible homeowner, you no doubt take good care of your pool or spa. You clean it on a regular basis and add the required chemicals to keep it sanitary and safe.

Regrettably, a single bird dropping can render your pool or spa unsafe, for bird droppings can carry any of 60 known diseases. Bird droppings can also contaminate the railings and ledges of a pool or spa. Worse yet, slippery bird droppings on pool diving boards and ladder steps can cause divers to slip and fall, resulting in possible injury.

Fortunately, there are a number of effective bird deterrents you can use to keep pest birds away from your pool or spa. Here are two bird control measures you might consider:

Visual Bird Deterrents

Sometimes called Bird Scare Deterrents, these inexpensive bird distracters include Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which reflect sunlight and snap in the breeze. You can also get Scare Eye Diverters, large teardrop shaped plastic panels emblazoned with a “mock” predator eye. Finally, there are Bird Scare Balloons, which are similar to diverters in that they are covered with large predator eyes to spook birds. These visual deterrents attach easily to patio covers or any elevated area near your pool or spa. Balloons can also be filled partially with water to skim the surface of your pool or spa. The only thing to remember about these visual bird deterrents is that you should move them around from time to time to keep pest birds on the alert.

Sound Bird Control

Often referred to as Sound Bird Deterrents, these devices emit bird distress and predator calls that resemble normal bird sounds one hears every day. They won’t irritate pets or your friends and neighbors. Birds, on the other hand will regard them as a threat and leave. One sonic bird control system currently on the market can emit distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. It has a built-in speaker and will be protect your pool or spa from pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and many other birds. The unit features a volume control and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

Scarecrow Bird Deterrent

This motion activated device confronts any bird entering its radius of protection with a harmless water blast, startling sprinkler sound, and realistic looking bird-like moving head.

Scarecrows connect easily to most garden hoses and offer over 1,200 square feet of protection that extends 35 feet out by 45 feet wide. These devices are inexpensive to operate, providing up to 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery. You can even adjust their sensitivity and range to meet the specific needs of your pool or spa.