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.

 

The Right Way to Scare Birds Away

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds have pooped all over your new statue. They've covered your sign with "dried mayo," and someone has threatened to sue you for slipping on bird poop as they entered your property. You've had it with the invasion of these fine-feathered "friends." You're ready to stick your head out of your window and yell, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Relax. There are many ways to scare birds away. And keep them away. Without resorting to poisons or firearms. They run the gamut from economical to high-tech. Most can be used in any location or circumstance. Best of all, they're humane and effective in discouraging a wide range of pest birds from landing, pooping and nesting on your property.

Since the economy is in a downturn, we'll start with the simplest, most economical bird guard--the Bird Scare Products. These "shoo" birds away by capitalizing on their fear of shiny things that jostle in the wind. They include iridescent reflective foil or flash tape, scare balloons, banners and the like that serve to create an “Optical Distraction Zone” for most pest birds. Some bird scare balloon chasers have giant eyes that look predatory and threatening. All are easy to install and won't harm birds. They're ideal for gazebos, overhangs, patios, vineyards, parks, pool and spa areas, boat docks and other open areas.

The Bird Diverter, uses scare-eye images to deter pest birds. Like the chaser, they're simple to install and surprisingly effective. Some bird diverters serve double duty, with iridescent foil eyes to scare birds by day and glow-in-the-dark on the flip side to shoo them away when it gets dark.

Last but not least are the higher tech solutions, bird deterrents that scare birds using sound.

When it comes to sound, today's sound bird deterrents can be quite effective. Some audio bird guards create shrill predator and bird distress calls to scare birds away. Others just produce annoying sounds that drive birds away. All are ideal for enclosed areas like parking garages, sheds and overhangs to deter a wide range of pest birds, including sparrows, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and larger birds.

So, if you're troubled by pest birds, you don't have to take it any more!

Birds Destroying Your Roof? Time for Serious Bird Control

As a homeowner, you should know that birds can seriously damage your roof. It doesn’t matter if you have a wood, tile, metal or asphalt shingle roof. Without effective bird control measures to deter them, Birds can peck and claw under roofing tiles in search of insects, leaving gaps that can cause leaks.

Besides damage from pecking and ripping, the acid in bird droppings can eat into tar-based roofing materials to degrade your roof. Bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials can also clog attic ventilation turbines, block skylights, and reduce the efficiency of solar panels. This debris can even clog gutters, causing rainwater to seep under roofing tiles to create leaks. Finally, feathers, small twigs and dried droppings can be extremely flammable, especially in windy areas. Bird droppings can erode electrical wiring. And one spark is all it takes to start a rooftop fire.

Let’s face it, as a homeowner, roof leaks and expensive roof repairs are the last things you need in this economy. Fortunately, there are some very effective bird proofing devices you can get that will keep birds off your roof. Here are three recommended by bird control experts:

Sweep them off with the Repeller 360

Powered by the wind, the Repeller 360° has two "sails" mounted at both ends of a 6' stainless steel arm. These sails feature reflective bird predator eyes. Spun by the wind, the arms rotate 360° to continually discourage any bird who may land on your roof.

Create a No-Perch Zone with Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

Easy to install on rooflines and rooftop areas, Stainless Steel Bird Spikes have been used by homeowners for years worldwide. These anti-perching, anti-roosting spiked strips simply won’t allow even large birds (like crows and gulls) to land on your roof. The highest quality spikes are made of stainless steel pins embedded in a UV-protected polycarbonate base. These are USA made and come with 10-year guarantee. The spikes are available in four different widths--1”, 3”, 5” and 8”—to protect wider and wider roof-top areas, yet each can be securely affixed to a 1.5”  narrow base. Look for bird spikes that have a glue trough and pre-drilled mounting holes for quick, easy installation.

Scare them away with Sonic Bird Deterrents

Birds are alert to the sounds of impending danger. And Sonic Bird Deterrents create those sounds, discouraging birds from making your house their home. These clever devices broadcast a series of pre-recorded distress and predator calls that resemble a bird’s natural enemy. If your roof is attracting several bird species, get the Bird Chase Super Sonic. It’s extremely versatile, emitting distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. You can even program it to turn on or off at night. The sounds emitted are natural bird sounds, so your pets and neighbors can rest easy.

Bird Control to Keep Birds Out of Rain Gutters

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you’re wondering why your rain gutters are becoming increasingly clogged  and your roof is beginning to leak, it might be because you have bird nests in your gutters. You see, when rain gutters are blocked, rain water will overflow under roofing tiles and shingles, and eventually cause leaks. Roof leaks can be expensive to repair, so an ounce of prevention is easily worth a pound of cure. Unless you install effective bird control measures to keep birds out of your rain gutters, you’ll continue to have gutter and roofing problems.

The thing is, once pest birds of any kind decide to roost and build their nests in your rain gutters, their scent (bird droppings, feathers, dead insects, etc) will draw other birds. And so it goes until your gutters are completely blocked and overflowing whenever it rains. These nests can also breed disease, for birds can carry and/or transmit any of 60 known diseases—including Histoplasmosis and West Nile Virus.  If your rain gutters pass over your bedroom window, you’ll also have to deal with the noise of nesting birds every morning.

The solution, of course, is to implement an effective pest bird deterrent to keep birds out of your gutters. And the best time to install bird proofing measures is before birds arrive. One proven way to keep birds out of your gutters is to install Gutter Spikes. These specialy engineering devices are ideal for preventing large birds from occupying your gutters.

The best gutter bird spikes have adjustable “C” clamps at the base, which makes them easy to mount to the lip of any size gutter. The spikes are sold in 6-foot and 50-foot packs, and they come in 2-foot long sections, each 4-inches wide. Properly attached, these spikes prevent pest birds from negotiating a landing in the gutter. Birds will simply move on to more hospitable landing zones. The rugged stainless steel spikes are virtually invisible and will offer years of pest bird protection.

Before installing bird spikes, be sure to clean out your gutters. Remove any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. To be on the safe side, use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to the airborne diseases carried by birds. It’s also a good ideal to use eye and respiratory protection if your gutters are heavily packed with nests and bird droppings.

To install gutter spikes, use the three aluminum “C” clamps attached to the base of each two-foot section. Adjust each clamp with a thumb screw. Loosen the screw, fit the clamp over the lip of the gutter, then tighten the screw to hold each strip in place.

If you’re concerned about these spikes harming birds, don’t be. The best bird spikes are blunted at the tips and won’t harm birds or pets. They’ve been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Residential Bird Control…Keeping Your Home Pest-Bird Free

When it comes to pest birds invading your property, it’s important to nip your bird problem in the bud. The longer you allow them to loiter and gather, the harder (and more expensive) it will be to get rid of them. Without effective bird control to deter them, birds will be attracted to the scent of their bird droppings and will consider your property a safe haven.

If you’ve got birds nesting under eaves, sitting above your entryway, roosting on window sills, in the attic, or even sitting on a fence or roofline, you’ll need some serious bird control. Remember, migrating birds will return in the spring to nest, and geese will come back to graze on your prized lawn and garden areas. Eventually, you’ll get tired of cleaning your BBQ, patio table and chairs, pool and spa.

What you need is proven effective and humane bird control measures. Here's what the pros recommend:

Bird Netting

Ideal for protecting virtually any area of your home—like gardens, bushes, eaves and other structures--Garden Bird Netting is a lightweight mesh made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene. It’s strong, lightweight, and blends in with its surroundings. It comes in two roll sizes: 14' x 100' and 14' x 200', and it can easily be cut to the size you need. You can also choose from three different "mesh" sizes--1/4" mesh, 1/2" mesh and 3/4" mesh—depending on the size of the bird you wish to block out. Garden bird netting clips are available to streamline installation.

Plastic Bird Spikes

Scientifically designed to prevent birds from perching and roosting on rooflines and parapet walls, Plastic Bird Spikes are among the most effective and humane bird deterrents you can get. They come in a wide range of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear--to blend in with your home’s color scheme. Plastic spikes are the least expensive bird spike available. They’re tough and durable, and they’re fabricated from a rigid UV-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate.

Sonic Bird Control

Highly effective in deterring birds from open areas, Sound Bird Control devices emit distress and predator calls that make birds too uncomfortable to stay. The sounds these devices emit resemble normal bird calls, so they won’t bother you, your pets or neighbors. One sonic device is so versatile that it can re-create distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. It protects one full acre, includes a volume control and can be programmed to turn on or off at night.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Easy to install and inexpensive to use, Visual Bird Deterrents include Flash Tape, Reflective Banners, Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons. All are wind powered  to bob,weave and rattle, which frightens birds. They should be hung in plain view around gardens and pools, and “swapped around” to convince pest birds that they are a live threat.

Bird Control to Get Rid of Birds from Pools and Spas.

Geese, ducks, pigeons, sparrows and other birds often use pools and spas for drinking, pruning and cooling off.  But bird droppings in and around pool areas are unsanitary and can pose a health hazard.  Birds can carry any of 60 known diseases.

Germs in bird droppings can infect humans. Duck and goose droppings, for example, may contain germs such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Cryptosporidium ("Crypto" for short). While chlorine will normally kill most germs in bird droppings, the germ Crypto is protected by a tough outer shell. This shell allows it to survive for days even in a chlorinated pool.

There’s also the slip-and-fall hazards wet bird droppings can create.  Children running around pools can easily fall and injure themselves.  Bird droppings on lounge chairs and towels can be equally unsettling.

This brings up the daily maintenance required when pest birds have invaded your pool or spa area.  There’s the constant cleaning  and monitoring of water content, the daily hosing off of deck chairs, tables and walkways—with pest birds, this process never ends.
Getting rid of pest birds can be a challenge.  In the US, most birds, including ducks and geese, are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act as well as by some state and local laws. This rules out lethal or harmful bird deterrents such as poisons, pellet guns or damaging or moving nests.

Here are some suggestions to keep pest birds away form your pool and spa area:

Scarecrows 

A natural around pools and spas, Scarecrows employ a motion-activated sensor to detect any bird entering a pre-set radius of protection. Once activated, birds get doused with a spray of water. Scarecrows connect easily to any standard garden hose and will protect a 1,200 square feet area (or a 35-foot by 45-foot wide swath). You can easily adjust the sensitivity and blast radius to you specific needs. And one 9-volt battery powers the entire device.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Birds are always on the alert for predators. Sonic Bird Deterrents exploit this fact, emitting pre-recorded distress and predator calls that prompt birds to leave.  If your pool or spa areas is being invaded by a swarm of mixed bird species, consider getting the Bird Chase Super Sonic. It’s ideal for most common pest birds, including pigeons, crows and gulls. In fact, it emits distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds.

Red-Tail Hawk Decoys

These look decorative and they work to scare most birds away. Red-Tail Hawk Decoys make the perfect companion bird deterrent for the two listed above.  Just make sure you get the most realistic looking decoy available.  The best hawk decoys are made of heavy duty plastic and will last for many seasons outdoors. The only thing you have to remember about hawk decoys is to re-position them from time to time.

Using Bird Guards and Bird Barriers to Bird Proof Your Property

by Alex A. Kecskes

No matter how you feel about birds, when they invade your property en masse, they can be a real nuisance. Consider the damage just a few bids can do to your gutters, rooftop AC units, skylights, air vents and solar panels. Over time, their acidic droppings eat into these areas and devices, which can be very costly to repair or replace. Bird droppings left on your car, van, boat or RV can ruin the finish, especially if you wait too long to wash off the droppings.

There’s also the problem of bird nests and nesting debris, which can cause fires when they are built too close to any electrical device, exterior wiring or light fixture.

Finally, if you fancy eating outdoors, there’s the problem of diseases that pest birds carry—they can transmit any of 60 known diseases. Unless you control pest birds with bird guards or bird barriers, they will land on tables, chairs, BBQs awnings, pool ledges and spa areas. And every time they do, there’s the potential for them to drop a disease carrying “load.”  

The solution, of course, is to install bird guards and bird barriers on your property. Two of the most popular bird control devices that fall into these categories are Bird Spikes and Bird Netting.

Bird Spikes Won’t Let ‘em Land

Whether you get stainless steel spikes or plastic, these deterrents are humane and highly effective.  Both are easy to install and essentially maintenance free. The plastic bird spikes cost a bit less and come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and two-foot spike strips. A single row of bird spikes usually covers a 7-inch wide area. The best plastic spikes have a flexible base that adapts to curved surfaces. Each spiked strip comes pre-drilled with holes along the base. The strips can also glued in place by using a glue trough at the base of each spike strip. Concerned about how bird spikes will look on your property? Not to worry. They now come in a full range of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and even crystal clear. Custom colors are also available.

Create a Bird-Proof Barrier with Bird Netting

Bird Netting creates a barrier that blocks out most pest birds. It can keep everything from sparrows to pigeons from invading the nooks and crannies of your property. What’s more, like bird spikes, netting is a humane bird deterrent that won’t harm birds.

For bird netting that lasts, opt for Heavy-Duty polyethylene Bird Netting. It’s made from a U.V. stabilized mesh and comes in various sizes and custom cuts. The key here is to choose the right mesh size for the pest bird you’re having problems with. The three most popular mesh sizes include 2-inch mesh, 1 1/8-inch mesh, and 3/4-inch mesh.

The most rugged netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, flame resistant and rot- and waterproof. This durable netting consists of 6 monofilaments, each12/1000s of an inch thick. The monofilaments are twisted together to create a tough twine with 160-200 twists per meter.  This high quality bird proof netting is frequently specified by architects.

To get the most deterrent effect out of bird netting, you must install it properly. Before installing Heavy Duty Bird Netting, thoroughly clean the area of bird droppings, nesting materials, loose rust, peeling paint or other debris. Improperly installed netting will sag or droop, leaving gaps that birds can work through. The one thing to remember here is that pest birds can be very resourceful when it comes to sneaking through netting. For best results in large installations, cables should be set up around the area and the net should then be attached to this cable.