Bird Repellent

The solution to all your bird nuisance problems

People who love to watch birds or hear their songs each morning might wonder why bird repellent is even necessary. After all, birds are beautiful and graceful creatures. But when they gather in places they're not welcome, they become pests we'd rather admire from afar. Pigeon droppings can quickly turn a statue or ledge into a disgusting mess. Your berry patch or other growing fruit might not offer enough to make a single pie if the birds get to it first. And woodpeckers can damage your wooden outbuildings or the siding on your home while searching for food. Federal laws protect most birds, and most people don't want to kill birds anyway; they just don't want the birds doing damage to their property. Fortunately, you have options like bird repellent to help you solve this problem.

Homemade Bird Repellent

One way to scare birds and keep them from landing is to hang up aluminum pie tins, strips of aluminum foil, old CDs or anything bright and reflective where the birds typically gather. The sun reflects off the shiny surfaces of this homemade bird repellent, and it's these flashes that frighten birds. Another homemade and natural bird repellent calls for the use of several chili peppers, crushed and placed in water. Let it sit in the sun for a few days, then spray liberally on plants where birds typically cause problems.

Natural Bird Repellent

You can purchase natural bird repellents such as wooden figures in the form of cats and owls. Put the figure in a prominent place where birds are sure to see it, and they'll avoid the area. Along those same lines, you can purchase black silhouettes of birds of prey which serve the same purpose. A large balloon or ball with eyes painted on is another natural repellent. The birds think the eyes belong to a predator, so they stay away. The pre-made versions aren't terribly expensive, but if you'd like a do-it-yourself homemade bird repellent project, you can cut out your own bird shapes or paint the eyes onto a beach ball and hang them in the right area. If geese are a problem, a few swan decoys floating in your pond should keep them from setting up shop.

Other Bird Repellents

There are several other bird repellent options available to you. Natural bird repellent granules put off an odor that repels birds, and if they're eaten by other animals it won't harm them. Another popular choice is bird gel repellent. Bird gel repellent is a chemical substance that won't harm the birds, but deters them by making the surface sticky and uncomfortable for them to step on. Typically, you apply it like you would caulk onto ledges and sills where the birds usually land. Bird repellent spike strips can also be placed on the sills and ledges of homes and buildings. These make it impossible for pigeons and other birds to land comfortably, and eliminate the problem of bird droppings. Bird netting is also an excellent choice to keep birds away from trees, foliage and berries.