Bird Control to Keep Pest Birds Away from Lawns & Gardens

by Alex A. Kecskes

It’s that time again. Time for spring and summer garden parties. Time to invite all your friends and relatives over for those great outdoor barbeques.  Only problem is, you’ve got pest birds circling around your backyard. Last year, they pooped all over your lawn and garden. You know they’ll be back this year, just waiting for you to place your smorgasbord of snacks and edible goodies on your patio table to feast on.

But you’re a bird savvy homeowner now. You know about bird control. And this year you’re going to fight back. Not with poisons, or pellet guns or the garden hose.  No, this is the year you win the battle of pest birds. You’ve consulted with the pros—bird control experts who know how to deter pest birds, effectively and humanely.  This year, you’re going to arm yourself with the tools professional use.

Scarecrow Bird Deterrent

Pest birds don’t have a prayer of sneaking by this bad boy. Scarecrows are motion activated and any birds entering their zone of protection get a sobering blast of water to remind them this is not the yard they want to call home.  The device features a realistic looking bird-like moving head and connects in a jiffy to almost any garden hose. It covers a 1,200 square foot area that extends 35 feet out by 45 feet wide. You can even adjust a Scarecrow’s sensitivity and range to cover specific areas of your backyard.

Visual Bird Deterrents

This is a pretty inexpensive, but effective bird control strategy. Here, you’re relying on the visual intimidation factor of Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which reflect sunlight and snap in the breeze. Also in this category are Scare Eye Diverters, large teardrop shaped plastic panels covered with big  “mock” predator eyes. Equally effective are Bird Scare Balloons, which are covered with large predator eyes. Visual bird deterrents are easy to attach to patio covers, gazebos, tree branches, or any elevated area in your backyard. The balloons can be filled partially with water to skim the surface of your pool or spa. Keep in mind that visual bird deterrents should be moved around frequently or birds will get wise to your tactic.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Many golf courses and industrial parks use these to keep pest birds away from their lawns and gardens. If you have a big back yard, Sonic Bird Deterrents will do the trick. The scientifically designed devices broadcast bird distress and predator calls that resemble normal bird sounds to humans. They won’t irritate pets or your friends and neighbors. One sound bird deterrent system is really handy, for it has the ability to emit distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. This unit covers up to an acre of land and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

Getting Rid of Pest Birds in Gardens

by Alex A. Kecskes

A beautiful garden can be a joy to behold. It reflects the hours of work and care you put into it—the feeding and weeding and spraying for bugs. But unless you exercise some form of effective bird control, your well-tended garden can quickly be ruined by pest birds. Vegetable and fruit gardens are particularly vulnerable. While a few songbirds can add a certain ambiance to a garden, gathering flocks of birds—like crows, pigeons, finches—can destroy ripening fruit and vegetables. They can leave droppings everywhere, turning your garden into a smelly, disease-carrying mess.

The only way to protect your garden is with proven effective bird deterrents. And the best way to ensure your garden won’t be attacked by flocks of pest birds is to implement these bird deterrents before your fruits and vegetables ripen.

Here are three of today’s most popular and effective pest bird deterrents:

Plastic Bird Netting

Creating a physical barrier that denies birds access to specific areas of your garden, Plastic Bird Netting offers a humane, low profile bird deterrent. The netting usually comes in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls and three different mesh sizes. There’s a 1/4-inch mesh for smaller birds and a 1/2-inch mesh and a 3/4-inch mesh for larger birds. The best plastic bird netting is fabricated from durable, U.V.-protected polypropylene. This netting is strong, light, easy to handle and virtually invisible.

Install bird netting before your garden bears fruit or vegetables. Suspend the netting over your bushes or vines by at least 6 inches. Protect vegetables by wrapping individual plants in netting or suspend the netting around an entire garden area. To safeguard fruit trees, measure the circumference of the tree and cut the net to size (allow at least one foot extra around the circumference). Secure the netting with twine, zip ties, or hog rings.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

These devices broadcast bird distress and predator calls that make birds feel too uneasy to stay in your garden. The sounds resemble normal bird sounds, so they won’t irritate your pets, friends or neighbors. One highly versatile sonic system can emit distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. This unit covers up to an acre of land and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Ideally, you would want to use Visual Bird Deterrents in conjunction with the two deterrents mentioned above. These consist of Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which reflect sunlight and snap in the breeze to make birds too nervous to feed. Also included in this category are Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons—both feature large predator eyes to intimidate pest birds. Visual bird deterrents attach easily to patio covers, gazebos, tree branches, or any elevated area in your garden. Just remember to move them around frequently to convince birds they are “live” threats.

3 Ways to Protect Your Home Garden from Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

As a homeowner, you know that pest birds can cause considerable damage to your garden. Fruits are especially vulnerable and can be quickly ruined by even a few birds.

Today, 95 percent of all American gardens grow tomatoes. One woman in North Texas suffered extensive damage to her tomato plants by mockingbirds. As soon as her tomatoes got red, ripe and ready to pick, the birds would take bites out of them. They would continue to nibble on her tomatoes all day long. A great-looking tomato, almost ready to pick in the morning, would be ruined with bite marks by late afternoon. Effective pest bird deterrents would have saved her tomatoes.

A sure sign that birds are attacking your fruit is the presence of holes throughout. Starlings and blackbirds can eat the fruits and vegetables you worked so hard to grow. Canada geese will munch on your grass and leave nearly a pound a day (per goose) of droppings. Birds can also damage your favorite trees. They’ll rip through bark searching for bugs. Few plants are safe from pest birds. They’ll use their beaks to rip, tear and tug your plants pieces.

The temptation is to resort to lethal bird control measures—like BB guns and poisons (avicides). But if you have pets or children, these methods are highly undesirable as well as being inhumane to birds. Fortunately, there are a number of bird deterrents on the market that are both effective and humane. They’re ideal for keeping pest birds out of your garden. 

Here are three proven bird control measures:

Lightweight Plastic Bird Netting

Plastic bird netting lets you exclude pest birds from garden, enclosed courtyard, patio or similar area. The netting comes in various mesh sizes to block out pigeons, sparrows, starlings, seagulls and other birds. The best high quality bird netting is available in various colors to blend in with your garden’s décor. One manufacturer offers a bird netting kit for fast, easy installation. The kits include perimeter cable, cable crimps, turnbuckles, intermediate attachments, hog rings, and accessories and tools.

Sonic Deterrents

These devices generate distress and predator calls that make birds too scared to hang around and feed. One commercially available system can generate such calls for 22 different species of birds. The calls, repeated every 10 minutes, resemble natural birdcalls to humans and won’t irritate pets. You can set a volume control to generate from 65-105 decibels, and you can program the unit to turn on or off at night. The best bird sonic units come with a built-in speaker that protects gardens up to an acre.

Bird Scare Deterrents

These inexpensive bird deterrents create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that makes pest birds too nervous to hang around your garden. They consist of reflective foils, shiny tape banners and balloons that are easy to install. Some balloons have giant predator eyes to give birds that “spied on” feeling. Balloons can also be filled partially with water to skim the surface of swimming pools, spas and Koi ponds.

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.

Bird Control Strategies for Homeowners with Blue Heron Blues

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you own a home near the ocean, river, pond, or lake, you may have had a run in with blue herons. These tall, light blue-grey birds have long black legs, pointed beaks, black bellies, and a black stripe along their white heads.

While they may be beautiful to look at, they can present a nuisance to your property. If you have a Koi pond, for example, you and your Koi may not be too happy to see them.  For in addition to amphibians, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and small mammals, blue herons enjoy feasting on fish.

If blue herons are giving you the blues, here are some humane and effective bird deterrents the pros use:

Bird Spiders

Like most birds, blue herons don’t like spindly things that can strike their legs as they attempt to land. Bird Spiders have long tentacles that whip erratically in the breeze to make birds too nervous to land on rooftops or fence lines. Bird spiders are easy to set up on just about any even surface. The devices come in 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-foot diameter arm lengths to create ever widening zones of deterrence. The best bird spiders come with a glue-on base, so you can easily attach them to most surfaces.

Plastic Bird Netting

An easy-to-handle and install bird deterrent, Plastic Bird Netting creates a physical barrier that will keep blue herons from specific areas of your home.  The netting is typically sold in two roll sizes: 14 x 100 feet and 14 x 200 feet. You’ll want a relatively large mesh to block out herons. You’ll also want to invest in high quality, durable, U.V.-protected polypropylene netting, which is strong, light and virtually invisible. Nowadays, bird netting even comes in various colors to blend in with your home.

Solar-Powered Bird Repellers

Equipped with motor-driven “arms” that spin around continuously at 30 RPM, Solar-Powered Bird Repellers make it really rough for herons to land anywhere near them. You can easily position these repellers wherever herons gather most often. The best bird repellers come with adjustable arms that protect up to a 5-foot diameter area. And while they are solar powered, the best devices will also run at night or on overcast days, since they can store the sun's energy for later use.

Scarecrow Bird Deterrents

A silent sentry that springs to life the second a blue heron enters its radius of protection, Scarecrows do a convincing job of keeping birds away from your home. The motion-activated devices greet herons with a harmless water blast, startling sprinkler sound, and realistic looking bird-like moving head.  Scarecrows connect easily to your average  garden hose and will protect a 1,200 square foot area that extends 35 feet out by 45 feet wide. The best scarecrows will deliver up to 1,000 "firings" on a single 9-volt battery, and you can adjust their sensitivity and range.

Is Your Garden Party for the Birds?

by Alex A. Kecskes

It’s time for the annual round of garden parties. But unless you’ve implemented effective bird control measures, your garden party may be for the birds.

Many homeowners who have spent time and money to beautify their gardens are sending out invitations. Like you, they’re preparing for garden parties and backyard get-togethers with friends and relatives. As is typical during these functions, food and beverages of all kinds will be available on veranadas, under umbrealls and patios, and gazebos decorated in the season’s flowers.

But without bird control, pest birds can wreak havoc at a garden party. They can “dive bomb” food set out on tables, even snatch food out of the hands of children. And heaven forbid, your “uninvited guests” leave droppings on tables, chairs, benches and unattended food!

Fortunately, you can avail yourself of the pest bird deterrents today’s professionals use. These measures are both highly effective and humane. Here are a few of the most popular:  
Sonic Bird Deterrents

Ideal for large gardens, Sonic Bird Deterrents emit bird distress and predator calls that make pest birds want to leave. For example, some devices can broadcast the sounds of peregrine falcons (a pigeon's natural enemy) as well as the sounds of other pigeons being attacked. No bird wants to be in an area where they might be hunted. The sounds resemble normal bird sounds, so they won’t irritate your pets, friends or neighbors. If your not sure which species of bird is attacking your garden, one sonic system currently on the market emits distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. This unit covers up to an acre of land and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.  By the way, don’ bother with ultrasonic bird deterrents, for birds can’t hear them and they are largely ineffective.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Easy to set up and use, Visual Bird Deterrents can be highy effective in deterring pest birds from gardens and patios, especially when combined with other bird deterrents. Visual deterrents include Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, as well as Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons (featuring large mock predator eyes). Visual deterrents bob and weave in the breeze to create distractions that make pest birds too nervous to hang around. Simply attach these deterrents to any high visibility area in your garden and move them about from time to time.

Red-Tail Hawk Decoys

Combining decoration with function, Red-Tail Hawk Decoys intimidate most bids because real Hawks hunt during the day when most birds are active. It’s important to get the most realistic looking decoy you can find. And make sure it’s made of heavy duty plastic to endure several seasons outdoors. Here, again, it’s a good idea to move the decoy around often to convince birds that your decoy is a real threat.

Choosing the Right Bird Deterrent for Your Garden

by Alex A. Kecskes

It’s springtime and you’re ready to reap the rewards of your hard work in the garden. You diligently planted, weeded, and nurtured your garden. You also kept the pests at bay with regular spraying of insecticides. But now there’s a new threat to your garden: pest birds. They’re starting to come in and destroy your flowers, eat your tomatoes, and peck at the fruits ripening in your fruit trees.

You tried squirting these annoying birds with your water hose. But they just came back the next morning. Even your dog was no help, for the birds simply waited till your dog was in the house to feast on the vegetables and fruits in your trees.
You’re at your wits end on this one. Fortunately, your neighbor told you how the professionals get rid of pest birds. They use things that are effective and humane. Here’s what you discovered:

Wrap Up Veggie Plants in Plastic Bird Netting

Easy to use and highly effective, Plastic Bird Netting keeps pest birds from getting at the vegetable plants in your garden. This barrier deterrent is ideal for smaller gardens and small fruit trees. Wrap your plants with the netting or simply cover entire sections of your garden with the netting using poles. To protect fruit trees, measure the circumference of the tree and cut the net to size (allow at least one foot extra around the circumference). Secure the netting with twine, zip ties, or hog rings. Look for high quality plastic bird netting made of durable, U.V.-protected polypropylene. It's strong, light, easy to handle and virtually invisible.

Set Up a Sonic Bird Deterrent

If you have a large garden, or a number of fruit trees spread out over, say, an acre, you’ll want to invest in a Sonic Bird Deterrent. These devices emit bird distress and predator calls that convince pest birds that their natural enemy is hunting them in the area. The sounds resemble normal bird sounds, so they won’t irritate your pets, friends or neighbors. If more than one species of bird is attacking your garden, there’s one sonic system that emits distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. This unit covers up to an acre of land and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

Hang Up Some Visual Bird Deterrents

An economical way to go, Visual Bird Deterrents can be most effective in deterring pest birds from your garden, especially when used together with other bird deterrents. They include Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which reflect sunlight and rattle in the breeze. There’s also Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons. These bob and weave in the breeze and have huge large predator eyes to frighten birds away. You can attach a number of these deterrents in high visibility areas throughout your garden to spook pest birds.