Bird Control for Flower Shops

by Alex A. Kecskes
If you own or manage a flower shop, you know it takes tender loving care to keep your flowers fresh. You also know that image is everything. Your shop must look clean and well kept at all times. After all, people who buy flowers are looking for ways to express their love and appreciation for someone else. Whether it's a wedding or birthday bouquet, or simply a very special announcement or occasion, when customers come to your shop they want to know that your flowers are fresh, clean and as beautiful as can be. These days, buying flowers is expensive and you want to do everything you can to protect your investment.

Problem: Pest birds can ruin the image of your flower shop. If you have beautiful petunia hanging baskets and flower-filled window boxes, pigeons and blue jays will attack them all spring and summer. Doves have a habit of building nests in baskets of Million Bells. Mourning Doves will leave their large messy droppings wherever they build their nests. Birds will also destroy your lovely bougainvillea plants.

Aside from the direct damage to your plants and flowers, pest birds can create an unwelcome environment for your customers. The smell of bird droppings, for example, can be a real turn off to customer looking for a wedding bouquet or tabletop arrangement.  Bird droppings can also create slippery walkways that result in dangerous slip-and-fall hazards—a huge liability should someone fall and injure themselves on your property.  Of course, just the sight of bird droppings on windows, awnings, umbrellas, doors and door handles can turn some customers away from your establishment. 

Pest birds can also cause physical damage to your flower shop. They can gather and nest on your roof, leaving nests, feathers and other debris to clog rooftop A.C. units, rain gutters and spouts. Bird droppings can eat into your signage and exterior walls to degrade and mar the finish. The last thing you need in this bad economy is repair and re-painting bills.

Solution: Bird netting and pigeon netting provide the exclusionary bird proofing you need to deny pest birds access to your flower shop. Strung across open or patio areas of your shop, Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird netting made from a U.V. stabilized mesh is ideal. It comes in various cuts and mesh sizes. For larger birds you'll need a 2-inch mesh; medium sized birds will require a 1 1/8-inch mesh; and smaller birds call for a 3/4-inch mesh. In most cases, netting is available in a variety of colors to blend in with color scheme of your shop. The best netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, rot-proof, and non-conductive so as not to interfere with electrical wiring or your customers' cell phone calls.

You might also consider No-Knot Bird netting--ideal for larger, horizontal applications. It's stronger than ordinary knotted polyethylene netting and 30 percent lighter. It's also less expensive to ship and easier to install than regular netting. There's no need to pull the net into shape, as you may need to do with knotted polyethylene netting. No-Knot netting comes in several mesh sizes. Use a 2-inch mesh to block out big birds like pigeons, gulls and crows, and 3/4-inch mesh to keep out sparrows and starlings.

When installing any kind of bird netting, leave no gaps, openings, wrinkles or excessive sags. Before cutting the netting, allow enough netting for perimeter fastening and overlap seams (6" min. for both). It's your flower shop. Protect it with a good bird control investment.

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Bird Guards to Control Invasive Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

Among the family of pest birds that plague our homes and businesses, one can include the bird type known as "invasive birds." Birds that fall into this category can pose a problem for wildlife, agriculture and, most alarmingly, human health. So what constitutes an invasive bird?

For starters, invasive species are not native to a particular area. Without bird guards to control them, they will threaten the local ecosystem and economy, and pose significant human health risks. It should be noted that not every non-native bird can be classified as invasive. Many of these nomads readily adapt to new and different ecosystems without threatening these habitats. Only when a species significantly impacts a new area can it be labeled as invasive. It's also worth noting that a species that may be considered invasive in one area may be entirely innocuous in a different region.

Birds that many consider invasive in North America include the European starling, house sparrow, mallard, mute swan, rock pigeon and Canada goose. These species and others who fall into the category of invasive are introduced to an "invaded area" a number of ways. One way is simply through geographic expansion, e.g., when one species crowds out another threatening the species or the ecosystem that supports it. Another way a species becomes invasive is when it is deliberately imported as in the case of early European settlers who brought over birds they liked from their native countries, or when farmers imported birds to control the threat of insects.

Regardless of how they came to an area, unless they are controlled with bird guards, invasive birds can create all sorts of problems. They compete for nesting sites and food sources, they eat crops and seeds, they carry any of 60 known diseases, and they disrupt an area's ecological predator/prey balance.

In many areas, invasive bird species are protected by wildlife conservation measures or migratory bird treaties. Before attempting any lethal means of control, property owners should contact their local wildlife management office. The other alternative is, of course, to use non-lethal bird guards. These are effective, humane, and run the gamut from simple to high tech. Let's look at a few.

Fogging Agents

A humane and highly effective bird guard, these chemical agents irritate a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane. Birds fly or walk through this chemical and they can't wait to leave. The chemical, a food-grade methyl anthranilate, is basically a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Bird fogging can be used indoors or out to deter a variety of pest birds--including gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and cowbirds. Fogging agents should be used in the early morning or late evening when flocks are typically feeding and grouped together. These agents have been widely used to clear airport runways and tarmacs. Golf course owners often use them to clear greens and adjacent areas of grass-eating pests. And warehouse operators have used fogging agents to clear invasive birds out of open bay storage facilities, receiving docks and similar structures.

Chemical Bird Repellents

Another way to use chemicals as a pest bird guard is through the use of Chemical Bird Repellents. These chemicals are applied to the invaded area to create an uncomfortable sticky landing zone. Ideal for use on ledges, trees, fences and bushes or shrubs, the non-toxic liquid gel is equally effective for small or large pest birds. You get a lot of repellent for your money, since a one-gallon container will usually treat 120 square feet. These repellents are easily applied using a hand or pressure spray gun with a discharge pressure between 40 to 150 psi. A single application typically lasts up to six months outdoors. One bit of advice: Don't use chemical bird repellents on vertical or porous surfaces, building structures, or where birds have been nesting.

Chemical Goose Repellents

Got geese?  Here's a bird guard that will make them leave. It's called Chemical Spray Goose Repellent. It's ideal for repelling geese from parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grassy areas. When geese eat the grass, shrubs or anything green covered with this non-toxic liquid, they can't stand the taste and move on to a more palatable menu. The chemical is basically a grape extract that's safe for pets, geese and humans. These repellents are easy to apply using standard hand-held sprayers available at most garden stores. Some chemical repellents come in a liquid concentrate that you mix with water. You apply an initial application, then wait about a week, and repeat the process. Two applications will last for approximately three months. The chemical stays effective even after a rain spell or sprinkler watering. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Bird Sonic Systems 

Like most living things, birds have a fear threshold. Cross it and most birds will simply take flight. This holds true for invading bird species, since they are constantly on the lookout for predators and the distress calls of their fellow feathered friends. If you happen to be a pigeons, the sound of Peregrine falcons defending their territory will make you nervous enough to leave. If you're a starling and seagull, predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack will convince you to take flight. These are the sounds emitted by Bird Sonic Systems. The have been specially designed to broadcast natural bird sounds that are not unpleasant to humans but alarm invading birds. The best sonic bird guards can be set up to emit distress and predator calls day or night. And speaker units can easily be added to significantly expand the coverage area. The best systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds. This keeps invading birds from getting too accustomed to the sounds.

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Excluding Pest birds with Bird Netting

Birds can be considered a pest when they decide to roost or nest in areas where their feces and debris can be considered a hazard.  Each year building owners and homeowners spend countless hours and money cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds. Not only are these problems unsightly; pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons. Individuals, companies and government agencies are tired of cleaning up bird feces or repairing the damage that is caused by pest birds and their droppings. Instead they have decided to invest in a Bird Control Solution, which is often as simple as installing bird netting.

Bird netting is used to exclude pest birds from areas such as rooftops, warehouses, airline hangars, overhangs, eaves of homes and other enclosed areas that pest birds are to be kept out of.  Netting will provide 100% exclusion of pest birds and is a long-term bird control solution.  Bird netting comes in several different mesh sizes ranging from ¾” mesh for use with all types of birds, to 2” mesh to use when larger birds like pest pigeons and seagulls are a problem.  Netting comes in several colors as well; white, stone and black.  Black bird netting is usually preferred because of its natural U.V. protection and lack of discoloration due to dirt and dust.  When installed properly, the netting will be virtually invisible, not interfering with the architectural features of a building.

Choosing the right bird netting:

There are several types of bird netting available.  There is knotted polyethylene netting that is considered long lasting and heavy duty.  You would use this type of netting where you want a permanent solution to your bird control issues.  Heavy-duty bird netting is usually manufactured using U.V. treated twine providing long life.  Strength of these nets can be greater than 40 lbs. burst.  The nets will also have a high melting point and flame resistant.  Heavy-duty bird netting is ideal for use in warehouses, airplane hangars, canopies, overhangs and other large areas where pest birds are to be excluded.

Another type of bird netting is Polypropylene extruded plastic netting.  This is a strong plastic bird netting used to exclude pest birds from homes and gardens.  It is strong yet lightweight, easy to use and install.  Plastic bird netting is often used to protect crops and orchards from pest birds.  It is ideal to protect blueberries, fruit trees and other garden plants.  Hanging plastic bird netting from the eaves of your home can protect it from such pest birds as swallows and woodpeckers. Plastic bird netting is not a long term netting product with about one year of usage.

Bird netting comes in different mesh sizes.  Choosing the correct mesh size is important.  You do not want the birds to be able to get into the netted off area and become stuck or trapped.  For larger birds such as pigeons and seagulls you can use a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size.  For smaller birds such as sparrows and starlings use a ¾” to ½” mesh size.  When using plastic netting to protect berries and grapes, use a ¼” mesh size.

Installing bird netting:

Commercial installations for bird netting can get complicated depending on the size of the area to be protected and the material that the netting will be attached to.  Netting off the infrastructure of an airplane hangar can require thousands of square feet of netting and special equipment such as lifts and power equipment to install the net.  It is often recommended to use a professional bird control installer to get the job done correctly.  There are bird control installers throughout the country that have experience in installing bird netting in large quantities and complicated jobs.

Installations of bird netting on your home or in your garden can easily be done yourself.  For use in the garden you will cover your favorite plants with the plastic bird netting.  Draping the ¼” mesh plastic bird netting over fruit trees will protect the fruit from pest birds.  It may be necessary to hire a professional to hang bird netting from the eaves of our home, especially in multi-storied houses.

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Bird Guards for Commercial Applications

by Alex A. Kecskes
It's an unfortunate reality that commercial building owners spend millions of dollars annually to pay for the damage caused by pest birds. For one thing, bird droppings on windows and facades can seriously detract from a structure's appearance. The acid produced by the fungi that live in bird droppings can corrode metal and erode stone. Unless building owners hire expensive cleaning crews, the damage over time gets worse and more expensive to clean or repair. Bird nests and droppings can also clog gutters and down pipes, causing rooftops to overflow with water and possibly cause entire sections of a rooftop to collapse. Pest bird nests and droppings can also clog air conditioning and heating units, severely damaging these expensive systems.

Unwelcome and Unhealthy Droppings

The bird droppings pest birds leave behind also create offensive odors and can carry any of 60 known diseases. Sparrows and feral pigeons can carry bacteria causing salmonellosis. Such pigeons can even carry ornithosis, which is similar to viral pneumonia. This makes pest birds particularly unwelcome in areas where food is stored, processed or served. When bird droppings litter a sign or cover an outdoor restaurant's tables and chairs, customers will simply avoid the establishment and take their business elsewhere.

Don't Be Served with a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit

Bird droppings on walkways and entryways to commercial building can create serious slip-and-fall hazards. The only thing more slippery than wet bird poop is a banana peel. For commercial property owners, bird droppings allowed to accumulate on their premises can create a prohibitively expensive and time-consuming legal liability. 

Bird Guard Spikes and Spiders

Probably the most popular bird guard for a commercial establishment is through the use of bird spikes. Ideal for pigeons and other large birds, spikes discourage pest birds from landing. They come in strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. Typically available in two-foot long strips, bird pikes are blunted so they won't harm birds, pets or people. The best spikes are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base that you can angle to fit curved surfaces. You can also get spikes with a crush proof, non-reflective metal finish.
To bird proof gutters against large pest birds like seagulls, crows, and pigeons, you'll need Bird Guard Gutter Spikes. Look for spikes with adjustable clamps at the base that make them easy to install to the lip of your gutters. If you're being invaded by cormorants, turkey vultures, raptors and other large birds, opt for the Mega Spike, which has long 7” spikes.
Another popular device used to bird proof an area is the Bird Spider. These devices have long spindly spider-like arms that wave in the breeze to discourage pest birds from landing. They are ideal for use on outdoor restaurant tables before opening hours to keep pest birds from landing on tables. They can also be used on awnings and patio covers. Spiders typically come in a variety of diameters to deter a wide range of bird pests.
They may look threatening, but they are harmless to birds and people.

Bird Guard Nets, Slopes and Gels

Ideal for a broad range of commercial uses, including signs, warehouses, courtyards, canopies, airplane hangars and rooftops, Bird Netting has proven to be an effective bird guard solution. Often prescribed by architects, bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes to deter sparrow, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and larger birds.

Another popular bird proofing device is the Bird Slope. Pest birds simply slide off these angled, slippery PVC panels whenever they attempt a landing. Ideal for eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree areas frequented by birds, these slopes are easily screwed, glued or nailed to most any flat surface. They even come in a variety of colors to match a building's exterior décor.

To discourage pest birds from landing on ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, conduit, pipes, and flat or curved surfaces, there's Bird Gel. Birds hate this goop, which is easily applied using a standard caulking gun. The gel never really dries and leaves a sticky surface that bug the heck out of pest birds.

Tracks and Tears

If your property's been inundated with pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, one effective and humane bird guard solution worth trying is the Electric Track. These nifty devices "persuade" pest birds not to land by conveying a mild electric shock to their feet. The tracks are easy to install on ledges, signs, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces. Some systems are low profile and virtually invisible from ground level. The best tracks feature a flow-through design that keeps water from damming up on rooftops. If you want the tracks to last in harsh weather, opt for corrosion-resistant tracks that resist alkali and acidic environments.

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You Need a Pest Bird Guards

by Alex A. Kecskes
Homeowners, is your patio being rained on by bird droppings? Do you find yourself washing bird droppings off your BBQ every week? Are your rain gutters clogged with bird nests causing water to always overflow into unwanted areas? What about your pool or spa? Do friends and family avoid it because of bird droppings in the water? If the answer is yes to any one of these questions, it's time you looked into a pest bird guards.
Boat owners, is your pride and joy covered with bird droppings? Does your beautiful blue canvas boat cover rip due to hardened bird poop? Are your antennas and masts covered and jammed up with droppings? Do people slip and fall on the slippery poop left by birds as they move about your vessel?  If so, you need some serious pest bird guards.
Property managers, are pest birds destroying the businesslike atmosphere you've worked so hard to create. Are your air conditioning units and rooftop ventilators grinding to a halt? Are your solar panels and security cameras plastered with poop? Is your outdoor eatery losing customers due to bird droppings on tables and chairs?  If so, you know what you need to do--get some bird guards!
If you run a day care center or school, is the outdoor play area covered with disease carrying bird poop? Are the outdoor lunch tables splattered with bird droppings? If so, read on. You need some pest bird guards ASAP.
Fortunately, for all those who have been putting up with pest birds, there are many highly effective pest bird guards to choose from. These are readily available, easy to install and safe for birds and people.
Let's start with flash tape. This simple bird guards is often made of iridescent material that shimmers and reflects in the sunlight. Tape made of thin metal will crackle in the breeze. The combination of these audio-visual distractions work to disorient and confuse most pest birds. Ideal for indoor or outdoor use, flash tape is an ideal bird guards for use in barns, sheds, storage areas, warehouses, docks, farms, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks.
A close cousin to flash tape is the Bird Scare Balloon. Often covered with looming reflective predator eyes or other bird-threatening markings, your typical bird guards balloon is about 16” diameter when fully inflated. Pest birds see these balloons bobbing in the breeze and they will fly away. The best balloons are constructed of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. They are ideal for deterring pest birds from fruit trees, gazebos, boats, patio covers, and building overhangs. Balloons are also an ideal way to discourage geese and ducks away from pools. When filled one-fourth with water and allowed to float around the pool, birds will stay away.
Another bird guard that has proven itself to be effective in many applications is the Bird Spike strip. Armed with menacing looking spikes that discourage pest birds from landing, these simple devices have kept pigeons and other large birds from ledges, windowsills, rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, parapet walls, I-beams, and other open areas. Spike strips are currently available with flexible stainless steel spikes or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. The blunted spikes are harmless to birds and will not cut or injure people. They typically come in two-foot sections and are easily installed with screws or adhesive. Installed properly, their non-reflective metal finish makes them all but invisible from the ground.
Birds really can't stand this next deterrent--Bird Gel. Easily applied using a caulking gun on virtually any flat surface, this stuff dries, but stays sticky. When birds land on it, they can't wait to get their little footsies off. Safe for birds and humans, bird gel is ideal for ledges, rooflines, beams, signs, conduit, pipes and other problem areas. The sticky gel typically lasts up to 6 months outdoors.
Next up is the utterly simple Bird Slope. These angled, slippery PVC panels prevent birds from landing. Their little footsies scramble and scamper like "Road Runner." Pest birds soon give up and move on to more secure landing zones. Easily installed on ledges, eaves, beams and other areas, the best bird slopes are U.V. protected and sun and weather resistant. The panels provide anti-perching, anti-roosting protection against all types of birds, including swallows, starlings, pigeons and seagulls. Some panels have a "snap-on" extender, which allows them to easily adapt to wider ledges and coverage areas.
Still another effective pest bird guard--Bird Netting--has proven its worth in orchards, vineyards and other large areas. There's heavy duty bird netting made of high strength polyethylene for really demanding applications--like air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves and canopies. Better bird netting is often made from a U.V.-resistant mesh for lasting durability. You can order netting in various mesh sizes and cuts to deter a wide variety of bird species and types.
To give pest birds a shocking reception, you might try the Electric-Track bird guards currently being marketed. Birds land on these and get a mild electric shock that persuades them to move on. Ideal for small and large pest birds, some electric tracks feature a low-profile design that's barely visible from the ground. The tracks usually get their "juice" from an AC charger or solar charger.
Everyone knows you can scare pest birds away by clapping your hands. But do you really have the time and energy to clap them 24/7? The solution? Audio Bird guards. Designed to scare pest birds from large open areas, these systems emit distress and predator calls. Some systems have a repertoire of as many as 22 bird calls. The sounds are repeated on a regular basis to remind birds that this is not a "safe" place to land or roost. Ideal for deterring pigeons, crows, woodpeckers, sparrows, starlings, swallows, gulls, grackles, cormorants and many other birds, some audio bird guards have the flexibility to add more speakers that will extend the coverage range up to six acres.

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Opening your pool for summer? Get some Bird Control

by Alex A. Kecskes
It's time to open your pool for the summer. If you've had problems with grackles depositing bird waste in your pool, there are bird control measures you should look into to keep your pool clean and inviting. If birds have been cleaning out their nests and dropping their waste in your pool or on your pool cover, you have a nasty problem that needs to be addressed. Then again, you may have another problem: black birds spitting in your pool and contaminating it with germs and other waste. Or, if you have an above-ground pool like many homeowners do, birds could be using your roof to perch, then dive bomb the pool.
Let's face it, if you're constantly checking the nitrate levels in your pool due to bird contamination, and you've been forced to drain half your pool to prevent contamination and algae growth, you need to look into some serious and effective bird control measures--before you declare your pool officially open.


But before you whip out your BB gun or run to the store for bird poison, keep in mind that many birds are protected by federal laws under the "Migratory Bird Act of 1918," as well as by many state laws. It's also illegal to destroy, relocate or disrupt their nests or their eggs. The only exceptions are non-native species like the House Sparrow, European starling, and the pigeon.

So before you invite your friends and relatives over for that big pool party, you'll need to look into some of the more effective bird control measures outlined below. These devices and systems have been proven to deter pest birds and they do so humanely.


Bird Sonic Systems


Most pest birds are very cautious when it comes to warning signs. Some species even delegate a "warning bird" or "lookout" whose job it is to let those around them know that it's time to flee. Sonic Bird Deterrents are aimed at these birds. These systems broadcast predator and distress calls that convince pest birds that danger is near. If you're a pigeon, for example, you'll immediately react to the sound of Peregrine falcons defending your territory. If you're a starling, predator hawks screeching and birds under attack will get your attention. These sounds won't bother people, but they are nerve wracking to birds. The best sonic bird control devices can be set up to broadcast distress and predator calls 24/7. Some systems let you add speakers to expand the coverage area if needed. Others will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds.

Bird Spikes

As previously mentioned, if pest birds are using your roof, patio cover or awning as a perch to dive bomb your pool area, you should consider installing some Bird Spikes to deny them these perches. Ideal for use against pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, bird spikes come in either rigid, U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. (The poly spikes are slightly less expensive.)  Steel spikes typically come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths, and their non-reflective metal finish makes them virtually invisible when installed. The plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and you can use them near your dish TV antenna, since there are no EM interference problems with plastic.


Bird spikes even come in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. Spikes are easy to install, too. One manufacturer sells a no-gap spike that's easy to mount on curved surfaces. And while they look very intimidating, they're harmless to birds and people. In fact, bird spikes have been approved as a bird control measure by a number of humane groups worldwide--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Solar Powered Bird Repellers

Birds don't like things that move and whip around. That's what Solar Powered Bird Repellers do. Harmless to birds and pets, these bird control devices feature long arms that turn continuously at 30 RPM to discourage birds from landing near your pool. Ideal for seagulls, pigeons, and crows, some repellers even have adjustable “arms” to cover wider areas--up to 5 feet long. The best repellers can store the sun's converted electrical energy and tap into it at night or on overcast days to keep the arms turning.


Bird Spiders 

Easy to move around and place, Bird Spiders are designed to intimate pest birds from landing near your pool. The spider's flagellating arms wave wildly in the breeze to deter all manner of pest birds from approaching the area. Bird spiders come in several arm lengths to cover wider and wider areas. Place them anywhere birds tend to gather--roof, patio cover, awning, gazebo, etc.

Bird Scare Tie-Ons

You've probably seen these Bird Scare Deterrents at parks, marinas and other structures. They create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that keeps birds away from pools and other restricted areas. They come in various types: reflective foils that crackle in the breeze, shiny tape banners that crinkle in the wind, and balloons with huge predator eyes that bob and weave to make pest birds really feel hunted. If pest birds have invaded your pool or spa in the past, you can string these deterrents up just about anywhere to keep birds at bay. In the case of balloons, you can also fill them partially with water and let them skim the surface of the pool to make birds feel threatened. Be sure to occasionally swap out these bird deterrents from time to time to keep birds from getting used to them.

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Bird Guards…from Low-Tech to High-Tech

by Alex A. Kecskes
Pest birds can be loud, annoying, destructive, even hazardous to one's health and well-being.
But thanks to modern technology, man has come up with a number of ingenious ways to discourage these fine-feathered pests from landing, roosting and nesting on valued property. These bird guards run the gamut from low-tech flashy banners to high-tech ultrasonic systems that annoy pest birds almost as much as they annoy us.
Among the most elementary and economical is the Bird Scare deterrent. These reflective banners and balloons are usually made of metal foil or shiny tape and are animated by even the gentlest breeze. Some balloons have large predator eyes. And all work on the principle of creating an “Optical Distraction Zone.” Aside from being fairly inexpensive, these scare-eye diverters can be easily affixed to almost any point or surface pest birds tend to land. Bird scare products are perfect for boats, patios, pool areas, overhangs, gazebos, and other open areas, even vineyards and orchards.
An ever-popular bird guard for use against pigeons and large birds is the Bird Spike. These come in strips of menacing-looking spikes that effectively keep pest birds from landing. You can choose steel spiked strips or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes (the plastic bird spikes are less expensive). Ideal for use on rooftops, signs and other elevated areas, they're easy to install and won't harm birds.
For awnings, boat or patio covers, and other flat surfaces, you can't go wrong with the Bird Spider. These have spider arms that wave in the breeze. To a pest bird, the arms look like tentacles that are about to grab them, so birds avoid them. Spiders come in a number of diameters to discourage various bird sizes. Best of all, they're maintenance free and harmless to birds.
If you've ever tried to run on ice, you know the feeling a best bird gets with this bird guard. Made of angled PVC panels, Bird Slopes just won't allow birds to land--their little legs slip and slide right off. Bird slopes are perfect for eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree corners where pest birds like to nest.
Another bird guard that works a bird's legs is Bird Gel. You apply it with a caulking gun, and when the gel dries, it skins over, leaving a sticky membrane that birds can't stand. Not to worry, it’s safe for birds (except swallows). Bird gels are ideal for a wide range of surfaces, including conduit, pipes, ledges, I-beams and parapet walls.
If you've got a large area to protect--like a warehouse, airplane hangar, big courtyard, or rooftop, Bird Netting makes an ideal bird guard. Mesh openings vary to deter various sizes of pest birds, including sparrows, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and other large birds. Opt for netting that's flame resistant, U.V. stabilized, and rot and waterproof. For most applications, choose non-conductive netting.
Our next bird guard depends on electrical conductivity to discourage pest birds from landing. Called Electric Track Bird Repellents, these deliver a mild electric shock that’s irritating yet harmless to birds. Ideal for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, the electric tracks are easily mounted on signs, ledges, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces. Opt for tracks with a flow-through design to keep water from damming up on rooftops.
Another high-tech bird guard uses sounds to discourage pest birds from landing and nesting. Called Audio Bird Repellents, they emit ultrasonic sounds that mimic a bird's predator or distress calls. These are ideal for parking garages and overhangs. Whether you've got problems with pigeons, sparrows, starlings, or seagulls, these ultrasonics will keep them away.

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