| While bird populations in North America have | | | | different bird sizes and cover wider and wider |
| dropped considerably in the past 40 years, birds | | | | areas. They require little or no maintenance and |
| tend to nest or rest on the nation's coasts where | | | | they won’t harm birds. |
| nearly half the U.S. human population lives or | | | | One of the most economical ways to scare birds |
| works. Most birds serve an important role in the | | | | away is through the use of Bird Scare products. |
| ecosystem, but three species of birds in the U.S. | | | | These flashy, twirling objects and banners use |
| are considered pests. Birds categorized as pests | | | | iridescent reflective foil and shiny tape to create |
| include the pigeon, the house sparrow, and the | | | | an “Optical Distraction Zone” that |
| starling. As pests, they can be legally controlled | | | | discourages pest birds from landing. An unusually |
| with no justification other than the property | | | | effective bird scare product is the inflatable |
| owner's displeasure. Of course, there are many | | | | balloon with lifelike reflective predator eyes. These |
| other reasons to scare birds away. | | | | scare-eye diverters are easily attached in areas |
| Besides being a nuisance and defacing homes, | | | | frequented by birds. Some even feature |
| boats, buildings and monuments, pest birds also | | | | glow-in-the-dark backsides to repel birds at night. |
| pose a serious health hazard. Because of their | | | | Bird scare products can be easily set up in and |
| easy and far-reaching mobility, they can vector an | | | | around patios, vineyards, pool areas, overhangs, |
| alarming variety of serious diseases. Among these | | | | gazebos, boats and other troublesome areas. |
| are histoplasmosis (a lung disease that can be | | | | A more technical approach to scare birds away |
| fatal if untreated), salmonella, ornithosis (a lower | | | | involves the use of Electric Shock Bird Repellers. |
| or upper respiratory disease resulting in fever, | | | | Ideal for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, these |
| chills and headache), pseudotuberculosis (causing | | | | repellers use electrified tracks to impart a mild |
| fever and abdominal pain), and several other | | | | electric shock when birds try to land. The pest |
| diseases, including West Nile Virus viaparasites (like | | | | birds are not injured; the mild “jolt” just |
| fleas and mites) that live on their bodies or grow | | | | changes their roosting habits so that they move |
| in their droppings. | | | | on. The tracks are easily mounted on signs, |
| If you want to scare birds away, it helps to know | | | | ledges, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces. |
| a little about the birds we regard as pests. The | | | | Some manufacturers offer low profile tracks that |
| first of our fine-feathered friends is the pigeon. | | | | are virtually invisible from ground level. Other |
| Initially introduced from Europe as pets, pigeon | | | | manufacturers offer electric tracks with a |
| populations have expanded almost exponentially | | | | flow-through design to prevent water from |
| and are now considered by many to be pests. | | | | damming up on rooftops and other surfaces. |
| These birds congregate in huge numbers and | | | | Imagine the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard |
| contaminate public areas with their droppings. | | | | and you'll get an idea of what our next category |
| They deface both stone and metal monuments, | | | | of bird scare products sounds like--at least to a |
| and present a serious risk to aircraft. | | | | bird. Known as Audio Bird Deterrents, they |
| Next up is the starling. An imported species not | | | | produce ultrasonic sounds that annoy birds. Ideal |
| native to North America, starlings nest in roof | | | | for walled-off or enclosed areas like sheds, |
| soffits, electrical boxes, and structural crevices of | | | | parking garages, and overhangs, these audio |
| buildings. Young starlings often gather in huge | | | | devices will scare most birds away--birds like |
| flocks where their droppings deface and damage | | | | pigeons, sparrows, starlings or seagulls. |
| structures and monuments, park benches, | | | | There's also a category of products that use |
| playgrounds and other areas. | | | | chemicals to scare birds away. Known variously |
| Finally, there's the sparrow. These small birds build | | | | as Foggers or Misters, these bird deterrents utilize |
| fancy nests in gutters, electrical boxes, roof | | | | an aerosol delivery system to disperse a |
| soffits, door housings, and other man-made | | | | food-grade, non-lethal aerosol of methyl |
| openings. Sparrows often create expensive | | | | anthranilate. Approved by the EPA, this chemical |
| problems when they clog rain gutters and | | | | irritates pest birds and deters them as they fly |
| downspouts. Their elaborate nests in electrical | | | | through it. Ideal for large areas, many systems |
| equipment can cause electrical shorts and fires. | | | | feature multiple remote spray units that can |
| So how to scare birds away? | | | | cover areas up to one square mile. These |
| For pigeons and large birds, one proven and highly | | | | environmentally friendly systems won't harm birds |
| effective methods is the use of Bird Spike strip. | | | | and won't affect electrical equipment. |
| They look menacing, especially to pest birds, but | | | | Finally, there's the family of motorized products |
| they won't harm them. The spikes simply | | | | that work quite effectively to discourage pest |
| discourage birds from landing. Some bird spikes | | | | birds from landing. These bird repellers utilize |
| are made of rigid unbreakable polycarbonate. | | | | rotating arms to scare birds away. Ideal for |
| Others employ flexible stainless steel. Another | | | | parapet walls, roofs, signs, billboards, or any flat |
| option is the Bird Spider. The spider arms flagellate | | | | surface, some are battery powered, others use a |
| with the breeze to scare birds away. Spiders are | | | | plug-in power source. And some are even solar |
| available in a wide range of diameters to deter | | | | powered. |