Bird Problems

IM000903.JPGWe love our birds but sometimes they are a bit too much. They can get messy when they poop on our sidewalks, roof, golf course, boat, or car. They can build nests in the most inconvenient of places like on our windowsill, porch, or potted plant. They can damage crops, endanger airplanes, and peck on our wood siding. They also carry diseases although, with the exception of the bird flu and West Nile Virus, it’s not a serious issue.

So what do we do? First, realize that in North America, virtually all birds, except the imported House Sparrow, European Starling, and Rock Pigeon, are protected by federal law, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So if woodpeckers are damaging your house, you cannot simply shoot or poison them, or even try to scare them away by throwing rocks, as that might injure them.

According to Wikipedia, with modifications,

“Methods of bird control include physical deterrents, visual deterrents, sonic devices, trained birds of prey, chemicals, contraceptives and active barriers, among others. Birds usually adapt quickly to most static bird control devices because the birds adapt after exposure to false threats. The avian control devices that are most effective either physically “block” the birds or “actively modify behavior” using a mild harmless shock.

Physical bird deterrents include such products as steel or plastic spike systems, bird netting, electrified wire systems, non-electrified wire systems, electrified track systems, slope barriers, mechanical spiders, chemical foggers and more. Sharp bird spikes can pierce and impale birds, while “blocking” and “shocking” methods do not harm birds. Unfortunately, blunt tip bird spikes may still impale birds on windy days. The safer shocking and blocking methods simply repel birds from an area with no harm. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the use of bird netting, bird wire, contraceptives and low-current electric barriers. Many different bird control products are used widely throughout the U.S. and the world with low current shocking wire and strips, netting, and mesh being the most effective bird control methods. 








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