Best Bird Repellents: A Buyer’s Guide

There’s really only one secret to achieving effective, lasting bird control: if birds are uncomfortable, they will leave. Now you know. Birds like creature comfort the same as you and me. They want the following:

• Easy access to food and water
• A comfortable place to sit, relax, and gather with friends and family
• A safe place to nest

That’s really all they’re looking for. Take away any one of those elements, and birds become less likely to linger. Take them all away, and they’ll most certainly move on.

What Are Repellents?

Bird repellents are excellent tools for making environments less hospitable to nuisance birds. Repellents make birds feel unsafe and unwelcome, thus preventing them from settling in to perch, gather, or nest. Most repellents work by assaulting the birds’ senses with sights, smells, and sounds proven to make birds uncomfortable. Bird B Gone carries a variety of bird repellents, making it easy to find the repellent product or products that will protect your commercial or residential property. All our bird repellents are safe, humane, and fully compliant with all state and federal laws.

Choose the Right Repellent

When choosing the right bird repellents, you need to take into consideration the following:

• Location
• Temporary versus semi-permanent installation
• Maintenance

Location

Location is the number one factor to consider before choosing a bird repellent. Large, open spaces require a totally different strategy than semi-enclosed spaces in the same way that wide, flat surfaces should be treated differently from narrow ledges. Success requires a careful look at the specifications and characteristics of the area you need to protect.

1. Large, open areas such as golf courses, gardens, rooftops, pool decks, parks, agricultural fields, and playfields pose a significant challenge as creature comforts in these spaces abound. Food and water are often plentiful in these spaces, and eliminating them is often not a viable or even a desirable option. In addition, these locations typically offer unlimited access to comfortable, safe locations for perching, roosting, and nesting. Repelling nuisance birds from these sites requires repellents that have a broad reach and that are strong enough to repel birds from highly attractive spots. Repellants that contain methyl anthranilate are a great choice. This powerful repellent ingredient is like pepper spray for birds; it irritates their eyes, nose, and throat and makes them miserable. Dispersing MA over a wide area using a sprayer or fogger effectively repels birds and keeps them away.
2. Semi-enclosed spaces such as barns, parking garages, pavilions, and patios are heavenly for birds. Keeping food and water away from these spots, whenever feasible, is critical to keeping the birds away. Far-reaching repellents are effective in these spaces, but smaller, more targeted repellents are also a good choice. The answer depends specifically on where the birds are choosing to congregate. Strategically placed gels and discs may also be a good solution. Repelling devices that use movement to frighten and deter birds are another choice.
3. Wide, open, flat surfaces such as docks, boats, tables, lights, and A/C units are favorite spots for birds to roost. These places lend themselves well to discs, gels, and moving repellent devices. Discs and gels are best used on flat, horizontal areas where birds go, but people do not.
4. Narrow ledges such as windowsills, ceiling beams, eaves, signs, lights, and other similar spaces are favorites of birds of all species. They offer highly-sought-after refuge and protection from the elements as well as a clear view of their surroundings. MA spray repellents and moving devices are not well-suited to these environments, but discs and gels work well.

Temporary vs. Semi-Permanent Protection

Whether you choose temporary or permanent installation is also highly dependent upon location. MA sprays are never permanent; they require regulation reapplication. Gels will remain on the surface and effective as long as weather and other conditions permit. Dishes can be adhered with a semi-permanent commercial-grade silicone adhesive or other commercial-grade removable adhesive and should be replaced every 6 months. Moving repellers such as the Solar Bird Repeller are extremely versatile; this simple and effective repellent device can be quickly placed temporarily on any horizontal location when needed and then conveniently stored. Permanent installation is also possible using adhesive or screws.

Maintenance

Your ability and capacity for maintenance are important considerations when choosing a bird repellent. As mentioned earlier, MA sprays need regular reapplication, typically every 7-14 days depending upon the weather. Gels and discs also require reapplication, but on a more extended schedule. The Solar Bird Repeller can be mounted permanently and includes rechargeable batteries that require very little maintenance. It can also easily be used as needed.

As you can see, protecting your property with high-quality repellents from Bird B Gone is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Decide where you need bird protection
2. Determine whether temporary or semi-permanent protection is best
3. Consider your tolerance for maintenance

And remember one more important thing:

Start with a Clean Slate

Before you get started with any repellents, you need to clean the area. Remove food and water sources, where possible, clean up the droppings and remove nests and nesting materials. Neglecting clean up reduces the efficacy of any repellent or bird control program. If evidence of bird infestation is extensive, cleanup must be done by professionals with training and protective gear.

Repellents Available from Bird B Gone

Bird B Gone offers a number of outstanding repellent options suitable for a broad range of applications. Visit our website for a full list of all our bird repellents. The following is an overview of four of our bestsellers.

AVIAN MIGRATE™ GOOSE & BIRD REPELLENT

Avian Migrate™ is a humane, non-toxic spray repellent that discourages birds from congregating in a large open area. This EPA-registered bird repellent is effective against most species of birds. Our unique patent-pending formula contains methyl anthranilate, an active ingredient that irritates the birds’ mucous membranes, as well as a special colorant visible only to the birds. The color alerts them that the area has been treated and keeps them from coming back. Avian Migrate is sprayed and is suitable for use around humans, pets, and other animals.

Pros

• Easy application for use with sprayers
• Recommended for outdoor and semi-enclosed areas
• Doesn’t harm birds
• Doesn’t harm vegetation or other life
• Virtually undetectable by humans
• Teaches birds to stay away

Cons

• Requires regular and consistent reapplication

SPECTRUMV HOLOGRAPHIC BIRD GEL

SpectrumV™ Holographic Bird Gel™ dishes use a combination of three repellents to effectively prevent birds from coming near the treated area. Dishes are easily applied to all manner of horizontal surfaces. Application surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned before dishes are installed with a commercial-grade silicone adhesive or a commercial-grade removable adhesive.

Pros

• Easy installation
• Tri-sensory action
• Low-cost solution
• High durability
• Low maintenance
• Virtually invisible
• Increasing coverage is as easy as placing more dishes

Cons

• Protecting an entire area requires placing dishes on all nearby horizontal surfaces
• Cannot be used on vertical surfaces

BIRD-OFF GEL

Bird-Off Gel is a proprietary oil-based bird repellent made with Geraniol and White Pepper. It’s non-toxic and completely safe. Birds that come in contact with Bird-Off Gel are still able to fly and walk; Bird-Off Gel does not trap birds to the surface.

Pros

• Easy installation
• High durability; one application lasts up to one year
• Virtually invisible
• Low cost
• Easy to clean up using soap and water
• Requires no specialized equipment to apply

Cons

• Cannot be used on vertical surfaces
• Cannot be applied on porous surfaces
• Not recommended for surfaces used by humans or other animals

SOLAR BIRD REPELLER

The Bird B Gone Solar Bird Repeller is a high-quality, portable, solar-powered bird repellent that uses continuous motion to frighten birds away. The attached solar panel spins two telescoping “arms” continuously, scaring birds and keeping them away. The device comes as a complete unit with two AA rechargeable batteries that will store power sufficient to keep the unit running throughout the night. This unique bird repellent is lightweight, easy to use, and can be mounted temporarily or permanently to flat or angled surfaces.

Pros

• Easy installation; 5 ft diameter or less of coverage
• Temporary or permanent installation
• Wind not required; solar power keeps arms spinning
• Telescoping arms make storage a breeze
• Effective at deterring almost all birds
• Works on flat and angled surfaces
• High durability
• Long life

Cons

• Unit is solar powered; therefore requires some sunlight to keep the arms spinning.

Solving Problems with Repellents from Bird B Gone

Bird B Gone is here to help you solve your bird control problems. We offer a wide range of bird control solutions, including a lineup of exceptional bird repellents, to meet a wide range of bird challenges. Call us today to learn how we can help you keep birds away.