Rain Gutters Clogged by Bird Nests? Time for Bird Control.

‘Tis the rainy season. And that means water on your roof will have to go somewhere. Hopefully, it’s quickly guided off your roof and into rain gutters. But if your rain gutters are clogged by bird nests, feathers and other bird debris, you’ll have problems. Rainwater will back up in your gutters and seep under your roofing tiles. If that happens, it could create a roof leak and costly roofing repair bills—the last thing you need right now.

Without proper bird control, your rain gutters and ultimately your roof will be at the mercy of pest birds. It doesn’t matter if you have a wood, tile, metal or asphalt shingle roof. Fail to install effective bird deterrents in your rain gutters and you could have water going in all sorts of unwanted places when it rains.

What to do?  First off, if your rain gutters are already clogged by bird nests, clear them out (unless, of course, the nests belong to a protected species of birds, in which case, you’ll have to wait till all the eggs have hatched and the little ones have left). Next, install some professional and humane bird deterrents to keep birds out of your rain gutters. Here are two bird deterrents that bird control experts use:
 
Stainless Steel Gutter Bird Spikes

Recommended by the pros to keep pest birds out of your rain gutters, Stainless Steel Gutter Bird Spikes have been widely used by homeowners. These anti-perching, anti-roosting spiked strips simply won’t allow even large birds (like crows and gulls) to land on your gutters or drains. Gutter spikes come in 2-foot long sections, are 4 inches wide, and sold in two quantities--6 feet and 50 feet. They are easy to install because each section is equipped with clamps along the base that attach directly to the lip of your gutter. The clamps are thumbscrew adjustable and will fit any size gutter. Once installed, the spikes are virtually invisible. The best gutter bird spikes will come with a 10-year guarantee.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Most birds will not nest in areas where they perceive danger. And since birds are acutely sensitive to sounds of predators, it only makes sense that any deterrent capable of generating distress and predator calls would keep birds away from your home. Sonic Bird Deterrents do just that. They broadcast a series of pre-recorded distress and predator calls that resemble a bird’s natural enemy (like hawks and falcons). If your rain gutter is attracting several bird species of birds, opt for the Bird Chase Super Sonic. It’s extremely versatile, as it can broadcast distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. It’s also fully programmable, so you can turn it on or off at night. And not to worry, the sounds emitted are natural bird sounds, so your pets and neighbors won’t be annoyed by this device.

Florida Homeowners Besieged by 50 Vultures

Florida homeowners Dave and Judy Harting were recently inundated by a flock of federally protected vultures. When the Hartings moved into their home last year, they were joined by nearly 50 vultures, who settled on their roof, deck and backyard.

The besieged homeowners were aware of the vultures in the neighborhood and were advised that the birds would leave as soon as the house was occupied. Too bad no one told the vultures. Now the Hartings have to deal with smelly vulture droppings and scratched cars (these big birds have big claws).  After trying a number of bird guards, the Hartings are at their wits end. Lethal means can’t be used against the birds since black vultures are protected by state and federal laws.

If your home is plagued by large birds like vultures, it’s time you get serious about bird control. Keep in mind that, like most wild birds, vultures—who feast on carrion (dead animals)—can carry any of 60 known diseases. Instead of simple noisemakers and water hoses, you should consider implementing some professionally recommended pest bird deterrents. Consider the following:

Scarecrows 

To get rid of turkey vultures and other large birds from your backyard, trying installing a Scarecrow. The second a big bird enters a scarecrow’s “area of protection,” a motion-activated sprinkler blasts it with a harmless but persuasive burst of water. Scarecrows connect to any standard garden hose and will guard a 1,200-square-foot area (or a 35-foot by 45-foot wide swath). Both the Scarecrow’s sensitivity and effective radius can be easily adjusted to the size and shape of your yard.

Mega Bird Spikes

Designed to keep larger birds like vultures away from specific areas of roofs, patio covers and other elevated areas of your home, Bird Spikes are harmless to any birds and pets who may wander on your roof or patio cover. Bird spikes come in rigid unbreakable polycarbonate (plastic) or durable stainless steel. They typically come in two-foot long strips for easy installation. You can also get the Mega Spike, which has long 7-inch spikes--ideal for keeping vultures off fences and ledges. Mega bird spikes are usually made of marine-grade stainless steel to endure tough outdoor weather.

Balloons  and Diverters

Used in conjunction with the two bird guards listed above, Visual Bird Deterrents include Reflective Bird Diverters and Predator Eye Balloons. Diverters are tear-drop shaped panels that feature a big predator eye to intimidate birds. They are typically hung in various lengths and spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Predator Eye Balloons are beach-ball size deterrents emblazoned with large predator eyes. The best predator eye balloons are made of a weather-resistant vinyl plastic and feature a top eyelet that allows them to be easily hung in high visibility areas around your home. For best results, be sure to move these visual bird deterrents around often to convince vultures that they constitute a “live” threat.