If there’s a plant that the birds seem to enjoy in your garden, consider potting the plant and moving it inside. Do you have outdoor pets? If so, don’t leave the food and water outside after they get something to eat and drink. The food and water bowls may be attracting the birds. If you have a garage or a closed-off entryway, store your garbage cans inside. That’s really the best way to ensure the birds don’t poke around your home looking for food.
Hire a contractor to install mesh wire on your roof. Unless your roof is flat, it isn’t safe to wander around up there. If you have any openings that aren’t supposed to be there, fill them in with silicone caulk or flashing. Putting mesh wire over your gutters will keep birds from perching on them while keeping all kinds of junk from building up. That’s a win-win!
Birds are surprisingly smart, and they’ll get wise that your decoys are fake if you leave them in the same location for too long.
Metallic spinning propellers sold at most garden centers do an excellent job of ridding an area of birds. Shiny objects are only going to keep birds away if they move a little bit every now and then.
Playing recordings of birds in distress or raptors may be especially effective. This may freak your neighbors out though, so only play these sounds periodically when you see birds nearby or if you live in a rural area. [6] X Research source You can find all kinds of free recordings and compilations of birds in distress online.
This will really only work if you have a slanted roof, since the birds will still be able to land on the flat portion that isn’t covered with the wire.
If you’ve got a domesticated indoor cat, don’t take them outside without a leash.
Don’t use one of these machines if you have pets. Cats and dogs can typically hear the sound they emit, and you may put your furry friend through some unnecessary stress.
Move your scarecrow around every few days to keep the birds from getting too comfortable with it. Changing up the clothes can help as well. Like the fake predator statues, the birds will get used to the scarecrow if it just sits in one location forever.
Even if the birds are just hanging out in a nearby tree, this will help. The moment something sets your sprinkler off, the sound of the sprinkler going off suddenly will scare birds away. These will also keep raccoons, rabbits, and stray cats from messing around in your yard. Don’t worry about the strength of the water stream. This is a harmless way of keeping an area bird-free.
The vast majority of birds in the United States are protected by federal law, so if you’ve got a bunch of birds around, just assume that they’re protected. Don’t touch them or remove any nests without contacting a professional. [13] X Research source Outside of the fact that it’s often illegal, birds can carry a variety of diseases and parasites. It’s not worth the risk of touching a bird, a bird’s eggs, or a bird’s nest. [14] X Research source
