Types of Humane Bird Control Products

Pest birds, as many property owners have discovered, can quickly become a costly nuisance. They can deface and damage equipment as well as buildings and structures, requiring constant cleaning and eventual repairs.

Keeping pest birds away can pose a challenge because many homegrown methods are ineffective. Additionally, because many birds are protected by law, lethal means like poisons and pellet guns cannot be used to get rid of them. Fortunately, there are a number of effective and humane deterrents that are currently available for today’s property owners.

Professional-Grade Physical Barriers

Stainless Steel and Polycarbonate Bird Spikes

Ideal for keeping birds off ledges, rooftops, parapet walls, light fixtures, and other flat or curved surfaces, bird spikes come in many types and sizes. Stainless Steel Bird Spikes are extremely durable and ideal for use in punishing environments.

Polycarbonate bird spikes come in a variety of colors and blend in with their environment (they also won’t interfere with communications antennas since they’re plastic). Mega spikes are available to deter larger gulls, and gutter spikes keep birds from nesting in rain gutters.

Heavy Duty Bird Netting

This rugged netting blocks out pest birds from overhangs and other semi-enclosed areas. The netting is easy to install using professional-grade installation hardware. The best netting, like Bird Net 2000, is made of a tough UV-stabilized polyethylene mesh, which is durable, rot- and waterproof, and flame-resistant.

The netting comes in several area sizes, mesh densities, and colors (black, stone, or white) to blend in with its background. This type of high-quality netting is often specified in architectural plans and is backed by a 10-Year Guarantee.

Visual and Sound Deterrents

Visual Bird Deterrents

Exploiting a bird’s natural fear of predators, visual bird deterrents come in a variety of shapes and sizes:

• Hawk Decoys: Most birds fear hawks as their natural enemy. Hawks hunt during the day when many birds are active. It’s best to get a realistic-looking replica made of heavy-duty plastic, which will last for years in sun and rain.
• Flash Tape: Simple but surprisingly effective, this iridescent foil tape crackles in the breeze and reflects sunlight to scare birds away. The mirrored red-and-silver surface bounces sunlight, which convinces pest birds there may be a fire nearby.
• Bird Scare Balloons & Scare Eye Diverters: Inflatable, beach-ball-sized bird scare balloons feature a large, mock predator eye to spook birds. Sporting an equally intimidating predator eye are tear-drop-shaped scare eye diverters. When these deterrents twist and bob in the breeze, they are perceived as life-like predators.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Sound-based bird deterrents broadcast pre-recorded distress and predator calls for many species of birds. They exploit a bird’s natural fear of predators and their acute sense of hearing. Devices like the Bird Chase Super Sonic can be programmed to target specific species or placed on a "general" setting to intimidate over 24 species of birds.

The system is AC-powered for reliable coverage, and its sound output can be adjusted from 65 to 105 decibels. The sounds resemble normal birdcalls, so they will not bother pets or people. Yet unlike ultrasonic bird deterrents, which birds cannot hear, these devices emit sounds within a bird’s hearing range, making them highly effective.

Chemical and Topical Repellents

Turf Sprays

These chemical repellents use a non-toxic liquid that makes grass unpalatable to many types of birds. Easily applied to grassy areas where birds like geese have become a nuisance, turf sprays are effective for use in parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, and landscaping.

Made from a grape extract known as Methyl Anthranilate (MA), the non-toxic chemical irritates a bird's trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes when it enters the eyes, nose, or mouth. These turf sprays typically last outdoors and won’t wash off with rain or regular watering.

Sticky Repellents

Another topical repellent option creates an uncomfortable sticky landing area that makes pest birds nervous. It is non-toxic and won't harm birds or people, yet it is highly effective for use against small or large pest birds. This thick, sticky substance can be neatly applied to ledges, trees, fences, bushes, and shrubs.

Chemical Foggers

Ideal for deterring stubborn pest birds from large outdoor spaces, chemical foggers use non-toxic liquid Methyl Anthranilate. Applied via thermal and ULV fogging machines, foggers are recommended for moving large flocks of pest birds, including pigeons, grackles, geese, sparrows, and starlings. They can be used to repel pest birds from trees, shrubs, rooftops, parks, golf courses, substations, and landfills.

Consult the Experts: Bird B Gone

If you’re unsure about which product would work best for your specific situation, Bird B Gone has over 90 years of combined experience in the field of bird control. We can help you with product selection, installation, and cleanup.

Just call us at 1-800-392-6915 for a catalog or pricing, or email us at nobirds@birdbgone.com. We also work with a network of authorized installers—call today to find a trained bird control professional in your area.