Get rid of problem birds – DIY tips

Homeowners may not have the pest bird problems that plagued Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s unforgettable thriller “The Birds,” but pest birds can still ruin your day.

Pest birds cost homeowners millions of dollars annually. The high concentration of uric acid found in some bird droppings can discolor paint, stain wood, and erode metal. It can ruin fencing, patios, metal or cloth awnings and patio furniture. Then there’s the health risk of bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in bird droppings. Imagine these droppings in and around your pool, spa or grill. Bird droppings have been known to carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and ticks in some birds can also carry disease.

Fortunately, there are a number of effective and humane bird deterrents to help keep pest birds away from your property. These bird control products are safe, easy to install and relatively economical. Bird proofing your home can save you time and money.

Perhaps the most popular bird deterrent is your basic bird spike. Perfect for roofs, awnings and patio covers, they are ideal for keeping large birds like pigeons and seagulls off of surfaces. Gutter spikes come in various sizes and will keep pest pigeons and larger birds from landing, roosting and nesting in your roof gutters.

For blanket coverage over large areas, bird netting creates an impenetrable barrier over plants, bushes, fruit trees, crops, vineyards, under eaves and other structures. There are also lightweight plastic mesh nets available for temporary applications. You can get netting in various mesh sizes to deter any bird species.

Another type of bird netting is copper mesh cloth. It comes in rolls and can be easily stuffed into openings, or packed tightly into cracks or holes to let air in but keep pest birds out.

To safely relocate pest birds from your property, consider using humane live traps. Constructed of sturdy galvanized wire, these traps feature funnel doors that allow a bird to walk in, but not out. An easy-access door on top facilitates simple removal or release of pest birds.

To discourage birds from landing under the eaves of your home or to keep swallows from building their mud nests, try Bird Slope. The slippery PVC panels are easy to install and create a barrier for nest building. They’re ideal for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree areas where birds tend to nest. Bird slope creates a “slippery slope” that birds cannot land on.

Bird spiders use movement to help keep pest birds off air conditioning units, rooftops, awnings, chimney caps, and that covered boat you have sitting in front of the garage. Similar products, like the Solar Bird Repeller, run on energy efficient solar cells.

For those who like high-tech approach, there are a several bird scare products that use sound to keep pest birds at bay. They’re ideal for backyards, garden areas, pools, patios, gazebos, rooftops and other open spaces where pest birds are a nuisance. Some supersonic systems play distress and predator calls for up to 22 types of birds. Outdoor sound deterrents are meant for large areas and can cover between one and five acres.

For more information on humane ways to keep pest birds away from your home, visit AbsoluteBirdControl.com