How To Determine The Right Bird Deterrents For Your Property

Apr 28, 2022
Birds & Fisheries

While there are many bird deterrents on the market, choosing the right one can make – or break – the results of your bird problems. Determining a successful deterrent starts with identifying the birds in question, where the problem is occurring, and the severity of the problem.

From visual to audio deterrents, wires, spikes, lasers, and more, many bird control options exist depending on the type of bird problem on your property. Here’s how to determine which deterrent is right for your needs.

Examples Of Visual Deterrents For Nuisance Birds

If only a handful of birds exist on your property, visual deterrents may be enough to keep them at bay. A visual deterrent mimics a potential predator to scare birds. One example is Bird Barrier’s Eagle Eyes, which is a reflective, spinning device that utilizes sunlight to create the flash of a bird of prey. Eagle Eyes are minimally intrusive to the building and surrounding area but must be exposed to a good deal of sunlight and a breeze.

Much like coyote decoys around ponds, owl decoys on rooftops are rarely effective in scaring off nuisance birds. Audio deterrents of predator birds have also proven ineffective, as it sounds like the distress call of a dying animal, bringing in scavenger birds.

Effective Physical Deterrents For Rooftops, Ledges, & More

If the problem exists only on ledges, Eagle Eyes, wire, spikes and/or Shock Track can be used. Shock Track gives a light shock to anything that touches it, merely scaring off the birds and not causing any harm.

While Shock Track is an effective form of deterrent for ledges, it does have its limitations. It is more expensive than other options, requiring maintenance and replacement of batteries and electrical wires that can crack from constant exposure to weather.

Spikes are another option that can be used on ledges to humanely keep birds from landing. They are cost effective but are much more noticeable than Shock Track from the ground. Choosing the right size spikes for the right bird impacts the efficacy of this deterrent, as many small birds can simply stand or nest in between the spikes.

Daddi Long Legs can be used with great success on HVAC units and light poles, but they will not prevent a gull from nesting in the corner of a roof directly next to the Daddi Long Legs.

Choosing Humane Methods For Eliminating Bird Problems

The most successful way to eliminate a bird problem is to fully exclude them from the area. Various humane methods include gridding off entire rooftops, netting loading docks, or installing bird slides in the corners of buildings where bird nesting is prevalent.

Lasers have been a recent addition to bird management with tremendous success. Both handheld and autonomic lasers are highly effective at deterring pest birds. WGC Indy is proud to be the longest-term certified installer and integrator for a variety of laser technology in the US.

There is a solution for every problem and budget.

Contact us for help finding the right bird deterrent strategy for your needs