If you're having bird problems, I feel bad for you, son. I've got 99 problems, but birds aren't one. There are several methods to keep birds away, and this article will outline the most effective solutions for the most common problems.
The first method of keeping birds away is prevention. If you are having a bird problem, it is because birds have some reason to be on your property or place of business. This could be food, water, or nesting grounds. In this scenario, the best option is to remove the reason the birds are there. If there is food on the ground, pick it up. If there is garbage uncovered, cover it. If there is nesting material around, remove the nesting material or block the places birds could make nests.
The next method to keep birds away is to consider installing bird deterrence devices. Bird deterrence options include bird spikes and electric shock tracks, which are placed on ledges to discourage birds from landing, bird netting, which prevents birds from being able to fly into a certain area like a pond or a garden, and sound devices, which broadcast the sounds of bird predators or ultrasonic frequencies that birds don't like to hear.
Bird spikes or electric shock tracks work best if birds are congregating on ledges or buildings, flying around and leaving droppings in places we want to keep them out. This is a moderate to low cost option depending on how much ledge or building space needs to be covered.
Bird netting is one of our most-recommended options. This keeps birds out with near 100% efficiency. Bird netting can be used over ponds, gardens, crops or places in buildings where birds would otherwise build nests. This excludes birds from the target areas altogether. Bird netting is a moderate-to-high cost option depending on the architecture of the area you intend to cover.
Other bird deterrence methods include physical scarecrows and scarecrow-like devices such as fake coyotes, which can be effective, but need to be moved every few days, or the birds will become accustomed to them. Sound deterrence is similar and can work for deterring birds from crops or gardens, but is often dependent on the specific situation. AviAway has had situations where sound deterrence did not work altogether and other options had to be implemented.
Chemical repellants are one more option for bird control. These repellants range from harmless to harmful to people, birds and the environment. One safe option that is used for common starlings is methyl anthranilate, a grape flavoring agent which the birds avoid.
AviAway prefers to exhaust all possible other methods of bird control before resorting to targeting or removal. We prefer to treat the animals as ethically as possible and with the least amount of pain and harm to the birds.
Legally in the United States, bird control companies can only target three species of birds: pigeons, house sparrows, and common starlings. Other birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, and it is illegal to kill them or interfere with a live nest.
It also must be remembered that even if bird targeting and elimination takes place, new birds can still return to the property if they still have an impetus to return, such as food or nesting grounds.
So, in conclusion, how do you keep birds away?
The first consideration is prevention. Remove the reasons the birds are there, such as food or nesting grounds.
Next comes deterrence. You can install physical devices such as bird spikes, electric shock tracks, bird netting, and ultrasonic sound devices to discourage bird activity.
The method of bird control that is best for you will depend on what type of bird is causing the problem, the severity of the bird problem, and the architecture and constraints of your property.
If you have a bird problem, we can help. AviAway professionally installs bird control solutions for all bird species. We have 30+ years of experience and have performed bird control installation for companies like Amazon, Rite Aid, and the U.S. Postal Service. Click here or call 844-247-3373 to get a free bird control quote.