How we scared blackbirds away from the garden. How to scare away birds Birds of prey calls to scare away blackbirds

Many summer residents know how much harm harmless-looking sparrows or rooks can cause to the crop. Sweet cherries, cherries, apricots and other fruits of the gardener’s labors can be destroyed in a matter of minutes, and birds can also cause a lot of trouble in the garden - for example, pulling out and pecking seedlings. In this regard, information on how to scare away birds will be useful to many. There are many methods of repelling birds, so everyone can choose the most suitable and effective method for themselves. Surely, among the most popular methods, many will remember a scarecrow or a rattle, some use plastic rustling bags, but in fact the variety of methods for scaring birds is very large. In this article we will look at the most popular ways to preserve crops.

The following methods of repelling birds are distinguished:

• Causing discomfort in birds (for example, ultrasound, flash lamps, pouring water, etc.);
• Reducing the quality of food (mordants);
• Aimed at preventing birds from perching (barbed wire, spikes, nets);
• Imitating predators (stuffed animals, screams, flapping wings);
• Blocking places for nests (forming a tree crown, sealing cracks and niches);

Methods that cause discomfort in birds

Bright light is especially effective - for example, you can install a bright lamp that periodically blinks in different colors, or a laser machine that emits bright, directed beams.

Birds also pay attention to bright, shiny and sparkling objects, avoiding them. Thus, shiny ribbons or disks with a holographic surface can be hung on the crowns of trees, on the roofs of houses, and then birds will avoid these places. Even tapes from old audio or video cassettes have a similar effect on birds. All these objects sway even from the slightest wind and also rustle, so they effectively scare away birds.

You can also use special ultrasonic installations that exclude the appearance of birds within a radius of 10-20 meters from them. But these devices also affect humans, so they are best used away from home.

An unusual method of scaring away birds is to release a powerful jet of water, triggered by a signal from a motion sensor. Thus, you can scare away not only birds, but also small animals.

There are also special odor repellents that act on birds (even despite their poorly developed sense of smell). The porous material is treated with a special substance, the smell of which is unpleasant to the birds, and they begin to avoid these places.

Mordants for birds

There are special mordants that reduce the taste of food for birds, but are harmless to other animals. They are used to treat berries, fruits and even grass in gazans. This is especially convenient if you have free-ranging poultry (geese, ducks, etc.), and you need to protect berries in the garden or grass on the lawn from them.

Methods for preventing birds from perching

Birds cannot fly all the time, and even the most restless of them sometimes need to rest. When perching, birds sleep, clean their feathers, rest, and observe their surroundings.

If you reduce the number of perching areas, you can also get rid of birds altogether. To achieve this, there are various designs that prevent birds from sitting in convenient places.

Predator imitation techniques

Often, various means that imitate predators are used to scare away birds.

Nest blocking methods

All of the above methods may be ineffective if the birds have already built a nest and chicks have appeared in it. If there is a need to scare away birds in a certain place, for example, in workshops, attics, sheds or on certain trees, then it is better to use methods that prevent birds from nesting. Sparrows and pigeons love secluded places, so it is necessary to close all existing cracks and niches. Places through which birds can enter the attic or other rooms can be covered with nets. If they want to prevent crows from nesting in trees, they form the crowns in such a way as to avoid convenient branches or use special bird glue on the branches to prevent them from planting.

In our organization, Mikhalych works as a truck driver - a master of his craft, a workaholic and my good friend. He lives in his private house in the suburbs. Like any decent owner of a private house, he has a garden, a vegetable garden and keeps some domestic animals. In Mikhalych’s garden, among other things, there are several relatively young cherry trees that began bearing fruit seven or eight years ago. However, during all this time, Mikhalych never managed to enjoy his own cherries...

The reason for this turned out to be cute, but extremely harmful birds - fieldfare. Having settled in the nearest forest belt, they became a real disaster for local gardeners, regularly raiding their gardens and pecking out more or less berries that had begun to ripen.

And he is!

For several years in a row after his cherries began to bear fruit, Mikhalych alone tried unsuccessfully to resist this feathered scourge; however, every year a flock of blackbirds gained the upper hand, almost completely depriving him of his harvest. Therefore, when three years ago, driven to the point of “white heat,” Mikhalych complained in a conversation about his “offenders,” I simply could not leave my friend in trouble and agreed to provide him with all possible help.

The behavior of these birds seemed very unusual to us, completely different from what the average person who is far from ornithology imagines. Much later, while studying this issue on some forum on the Internet, we came across a statement from our “colleague in misfortune”, comparing a pack of these malware with an “organized criminal group (OCG)”. From our own experience, we have become convinced that it is impossible to characterize them more accurately. One got the impression that we were waging a war not against some “brainless birds,” but against “specific boys” from the 1990s - experienced warriors who were discharged from the army and joined the ranks of various gangster groups.

At first glance, the tactics of these extremely intelligent birds seem almost incredible. First, one or two “air reconnaissance officers” appear from the “main location” (i.e., a forest belt), firstly, choosing the next “object of attack” (a bush or tree on which hangs the largest number of very ripe berries), secondly secondly, checking whether there are any dangers along the route to the selected object. "Air reconnaissance aircraft" almost never fly directly to their favorite tree. Having sat somewhere nearby (on the branches of neighboring trees, a fence, garden buildings), they carefully observe the surrounding area for several minutes. At this time, you can sometimes hear their “negotiations” - a short series of crackling sounds reminiscent of the cries of a magpie (only more melodious). Having made sure that the chosen object of robbery is really worthy of their attention, and there are no signs of danger around it, the “scouts” silently fly back to the forest belt. A few minutes after they safely return to their relatives, the entire flock (in our case - a dozen and a half birds) quickly and silently - in the most gangster manner - flies from the forest belt to the scouted place, after which they just as quickly and silently begin to eat.

It seems to be an idyllic landscape: peaceful blue sky, beautiful white clouds...

But if you take a closer look, then here he is - an ENEMY SCOUT!

The gluttony of these birds breaks all records. It has long been known that all birds are generally distinguished by a high metabolism (fast metabolism) - but, after observing feasting thrushes, the thought involuntarily creeps into your head that there is a real nuclear reactor inside them. A dozen birds in a day are quite capable of completely stripping a large fruit-bearing tree. At the same time, they do everything quickly and clearly - no noise, hubbub, fights or fluttering, which is typical, for example, of crows or jackdaws. The notorious advice of some gardeners who do not encounter thrushes on their plots - “pick the berries as they ripen, and the thrushes will have nothing to eat” - even after a short acquaintance with these gluttons begins to seem not just naive, but mocking. Having excellent color discrimination and being naturally very smart, blackbirds have an excellent understanding of which berries in front of them are ripe or not very ripe. First of all, don’t be fools, they peck out the ripest ones, ending the feast with fruits of medium ripeness. And if we take into account the almost constant presence of their “scouts” in the garden and regular raids four to five times an hour, it becomes clear that they simply do not leave the gardener a single chance to get ahead.

We tried for the first time to ward off these annoying birds from Mikhalychev’s garden in the summer of 2014. Having no prior experience in fighting blackbirds and unaware of their overwhelming impudence, we, of course, started with the simplest - the “classic” methods of scaring away birds - stuffed animals, pinwheels, balloons and CDs. How deeply we were mistaken when we seriously counted on these “means”!

First of all, Mikhalych attempted to make a scarecrow from a set of stakes, slats, a bag of sawdust, an old robe and a hat - successful in terms of results (the scarecrow succeeded), but absolutely useless in essence (it did not help). On the first day after installing the scarecrow, the blackbird “scouts” were really afraid to approach the trees, under which stood something that looked like a person. According to Mikhalych’s household, their alarming chatter was constantly heard. However, the very next morning the damage done to the cherry tree was obvious.

Our response was to visit the local FixPrice store, which sells cheap Chinese consumer goods, and purchase several windmills made of colored film, which were attached to the fence and on stakes driven into the ground around the cherry trees. The second attempt ended in an even greater failure than the first - the feathered insolent people stopped paying attention to the flickering nonsense by the end of the first day.

After this, several days were spent on experiments with balloons, which also did not end in anything good. The blackbirds reacted to the balls fixed in place of the windmills in the same way as they did to the windmills - that is, in no way, and when attaching the balls directly to the branches of the cherry tree, it was found that under the influence of even weak gusts of wind, the balls are pricked into small twigs and twigs, therefore " project" was canceled by the authors themselves.

A very popular “advice” on the Internet was the recommendation to hang computer CDs on the branches of bird-proof trees, in contrast to balls that are not afraid of being pinned on branches, rotating on the suspension even from a light breeze and releasing bright sun glare in all directions. No sooner said than done! The next day, upon arriving at work, I carried out an audit in the box with CDs, as a result of which two dozen unnecessary branded disks with Kaspersky Anti-Virus from the “boxed versions” that had once been purchased for the entire office were discovered. The disks were handed to Mikhalych with a recommendation to hang them so that nothing would interfere with their rotation... This was one of those rare cases when even the vaunted Kaspersky turned out to be absolutely powerless against a new variety of “feathered viruses”.

From the magazine “My Beautiful Dacha”, another “recipe” for scaring away birds was gleaned, which consists of attaching children’s soft toys to tree branches, which, according to the author of the article, were supposed to remind the birds of cats lurking in the tree. Somewhere in the attic, Mikhalych managed to find several old soft toys left by his grown-up granddaughter - a small brown bear, a hare and someone else. But either these smart thrushes can distinguish between animal species, or they instinctively distinguish living objects from non-living ones, but this method also did not bring any useful effect.

The Gardener-Gardener store recommended a special fine-mesh net made of synthetic threads as the most effective means of protecting fruits from damage by birds. After some deliberation, it was decided to purchase a roll of net and see how it performs. Perhaps such a network could be a solution to the problem, if not for two shortcomings of its use, identified during “field tests”. Firstly, to provide at least some effective protection, you need not just a lot of netting, but a lot of it - that is, the trees need to be wrapped in it, as they say, “at the root.” In the case of a simple attack on a tree from above or from the side, our feathered intellectuals, after several unsuccessful attempts to get to the ripening berries in the usual way, learned to very cleverly crawl under the net from below. Secondly, the net poses a danger to various small birds such as sparrows, wagtails, flycatchers and the like, which either do not cause any harm to fruit trees at all, or cause very minimal harm. Having become accustomed to “loitering” in the treetops, small fry become entangled in the meshes of the net and die. After removing the third or fourth “hanged man” from the weave of synthetic threads, Mikhalych felt so sorry for them that he, giving up on the cherry, simply removed the net.

It goes without saying that while we were coming up with all these tricks for the blackbirds, the birds wasted no time and were closely engaged in our cherries. Thus, by the end of the protective net test, we lost the battle for the harvest in the first season with a score of 5:0 in favor of the blackbirds. It became clear that, in the language of professional military theorists, “remaining within the framework of an outdated concept, we will never be able to defeat the enemy.” And anyway, it’s the twenty-first century - what kind of stuffed animals, what are you talking about?! You provide the use of the latest means from the sphere of “high technology”!

Starting from the first days of June next year, 2015, Mikhalych and I, taught by bitter experience, began to study various technical devices specifically designed to scare away birds. After a couple of days of surfing the Internet in my free time, it became clear that, if you do not take into account the anti-additive devices that are meaningless in our conditions (it’s like wrapping a tree with barbed wire) and various extreme options like a metal mesh, to which If a current of several thousand volts is supplied, almost 95% of the market for such devices consists of electronic sound bird repellers.

The choice of repeller models is very diverse, as they say, “for every taste and color” - from the cheap (relatively) Chinese “noname” for 5 thousand rubles, which, according to the instructions, continuously emits ultrasound, to “professional” devices with motion sensors costing about 25 thousand rubles. I, of course, am not a professional ornithologist and do not pretend to be the ultimate truth, but the very principle of repelling birds with ultrasound raised great doubts in me. From everything that I have ever heard or read, we can conclude that, in terms of their “technical characteristics,” human sensory organs are much closer to birds than to mammals. And in humans, as is known, ultrasound does not cause any discomfort. Therefore, I thought that spending even 5 thousand rubles on the purchase of a device, the effectiveness of which is absent, and the result of use is of a guessing nature, does not make sense. The point here is not even whether this is a lot or a little - the asking price for the device is five thousand - but the fact that with this money our Mikhalych can easily buy himself several buckets of cherries, without bothering at all with its protection. But buying cherries when there are plenty of them in your own garden, recognizing the victory of small feathered pests, is already too much. Looking further, just out of interest, without any hope of application, the options for various repellers, I came across a professional model that scares away birds with the cries of other birds - birds of prey.

But this is an idea! It can’t be that these blackbirds aren’t afraid of anyone or anything at all? And who in natural conditions is their most terrible enemy? Obviously, any large birds of prey they know, the fear of which is programmed at the level of instincts... Since the option of using a tame bird of prey looks even more utopian than the option of buying a professional repeller for 25 thousand rubles, there is nothing left but to use some device that will simulate the presence of predators nearby; at the same time, it is highly desirable that it be as cheap as possible - or, ideally, completely free.

Having strained my memory a little, I decided that I might be able to find such a device, and went down to the basement - to the warehouse. After rummaging around there a little, I found an old, decommissioned Toshiba Satellite A40 laptop, manufactured in 2002. For those who like details, I can tell you that this miracle is equipped with a 15-inch screen, a Pentium 4 processor with a frequency of 2.4 GHz, 256 MB of RAM and a 40 GB hard drive. The preinstalled operating system is Windows XP Home. Oddly enough, the “machine” turned out to be running, which, however, was what I was counting on - after all, it was written off, apparently, not because of obsolescence or technical wear and tear, but because of the most typical damage for laptops - a cracked screen. The previous owner of the laptop had probably dropped it off the table, so that about a third of the screen's surface, adjacent to the upper right corner, was a solid black "blob". It’s clear that after this you can safely forget not only about the convenience of work, but also about its very possibility on such a laptop. Well, this won’t hurt us at all.

You can see a large black spot (damage to the matrix) of the laptop screen with rays of cracks emanating from it.

Now it was necessary to decide by what criteria the laptop should “give a voice.” On the websites of specialized companies that protect large objects such as airfields/stations/stadiums from birds, one very often comes across the statement that the presentation of startling sound signals should be random so that the birds being scared away do not develop an addiction to uniformly given signals. To be honest, I was about to “cook up on my knees” a primitive program based on a random number generator; however, an evening visit to Mikhalych with subsequent observation of his “wards” forced him to abandon this idea. The fact is that the above method is justified only if the birds live in a protected area. Our blackbirds only quickly visit the garden to feed, so if the random number generator initiates the second signal about forty minutes after the first, the birds will have time to check all the trees, select the ripest berries and calmly leave the garden. Considering the frequency with which their “scouts” appeared in the garden, it became clear that talking about time intervals exceeding ten minutes was simply useless.

On other sites I came across descriptions of repeller models equipped with motion sensors. The idea is, of course, very sensible (why yell constantly if you can give a signal only at the moment of the immediate appearance of feathered robbers?), but in our case it is very difficult to implement, as they say, “on the knee”, since to connect the motion sensor to the laptop you will need both a specialized adapter and the corresponding software. However, for the sake of “sporting interest,” we carried out a “draft version” of the experiment - without any connection to a laptop, purely with the goal of determining whether it makes sense to further develop this direction. At work, I borrowed an infrared motion sensor from the popular Camelion LX-39/Wh model (very mediocre, but, as they say, “the rich are the happy”). Based on this sensor, a simple circuit was assembled with a household electric bell as an actuator. The purpose of the experiment was to find out whether the motion sensor is suitable for possible further use in a bird scaring system. The results obtained were disappointing - on a sunny summer day, in the heat, the motion sensor installed at a distance of three meters from the tree trunk did not react at all to such small objects as birds landing on the crown. Its sensitivity expectedly improved in the early morning and evening hours, as well as when the sensor was placed in the shade, but still remained within the “plus or minus bast” range. We can only hope that professional bird scarers are still equipped with much more sensitive motion sensors than a regular household “human” sensor. Detecting a mouse running across the floor, as mentioned in many reviews of IR motion sensors posted on the Internet, was not science fiction for the sensor we tested - except perhaps in a cool, dark basement, on a concrete floor, and from a distance of one meter.

Thus, the simplest and most reliable option was to make the laptop constantly “speak” at a predetermined interval of several minutes. True, the problem of our experimental subjects’ possible adaptation to the same type of sounds remained. Considering that the period of the most active “defense” of the cherry lasts about a week and a half (maximum, taking into account bad weather - two), it was decided to be content with changing the sounds made by the laptop.

For this purpose, we will visit the electronic version of the bird identification guide for central Russia. [link, www.ornithologist.ru]

There are a large number of different bird identifiers on the Internet, but the above one is valuable because you can download samples of the calls of the birds represented on it without any problems. So, we are interested, first of all, in files with recordings of the voices of large and medium-sized daytime predators - hawks (goshawk and sparrowhawk), falcons (peregrine falcon and saker falcon, there is also the voice of a gyrfalcon, but this is a polar falcon, and we don’t have it) , kites (black and red). “To the heap” you can add the voices of buzzards - the common buzzard and the buzzard. The rest of the “contingent” does not suit us - they are either too large (eagles), or, conversely, too small predators (kestrels, falcon, hobby), or “specialists” in other game (harriers, ospreys, eagles).

We download mp3 files with the voices of the listed birds, giving them “meaningful” names in Latin - for example, Teterevjatnik.mp3 or Baloban.mp3, so as not to get confused in the future. We transfer them to some convenient place (I placed them right in the “root” of the logical drive D:). There we also create ordinary text files according to the number of bird voices, rename them, for example, to bird_1(2/3/...) and forcefully change the extension to cmd. In the files themselves we insert approximately the following text:

ping 127.0.0.1 -n 338 >nul
start "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" D:\Teterevjatnik.mp3
start D:\bird_2.cmd
exit

The meaning of this command file is as follows: the computer is asked to ping the address 127.0.0.1 (i.e. itself), and after a period of 338 (-n 338) seconds has elapsed (standard ping in case of a response is repeated every second), play it using a standard media player mp3 file with the cry of a goshawk, at the same time launching the command file bird_2.cmd for execution, and then complete the work (meaning the work of the first command file).

Where did the value of 338 seconds come from? This is an interval of 5 minutes of 60 seconds plus the duration of the recording with a hawk cry (in my case - 38 seconds). Of course, the duration of different records is also different, so the corresponding value should be recalculated and recorded in each file. If a virtual saker falcon screams for, say, 20 seconds, then in the corresponding command file you should specify the value -n 320, etc. If you do not do this and set the same intervals, over time the recordings will be played closer and closer to each other each other on time, and, after a couple of hours, all your virtual predators will scream at the same time.

There can be any number of such files, the main thing is that there is a cycle; in other words, the last batch file must contain a link to the first file. After this, all that remains is to add the shortcut to the first batch file (bird_1.cmd) to “Startup”.

Practice has shown that the most effective sequence is: “goshawk - peregrine falcon - black kite - sparrowhawk - saker falcon - red kite” at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes.

While I was working on the laptop, Mikhalych attached to a wooden table standing not far from the cherries a “basement floor” under the tabletop, where he planned to install the laptop with the lid not completely lowered, and covered the tabletop itself with packaging film hanging down along the edges.

Place for laptop.

Laptop being tested.

This is how, thanks to our joint efforts, Mikhalych managed to harvest cherries for the first time in the last seven years. After the cry of a hawk coming from the laptop, the enemy scout considered it best to retreat...

Various comments and clarifications that arose as a result of testing the laptop, as well as plans for the future.

• You should not set the maximum speaker volume in the audio system settings. The volume should be such that it can be heard within the protected object plus a few meters in each direction. If the volume is so high that the screams of predators can be heard by blackbirds even in their permanent habitats, then they will still not abandon their nests because of this, but they will get used to the screams.
• It is also worth taking seriously the choice of the location of the laptop and the volume level of its speakers, so as not to injure poultry (chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, pigeons). If your own or your neighbor’s chickens hear the screams of feathered predators every 5-10 minutes, then they are guaranteed to be “nervous” on the second day, and small chickens/ducklings may even die from fright.
• If you see sparrows (and similar little things) right next to a laptop screaming loudly, do not make hasty conclusions about the inefficiency of the system. To scare away such small fry, the voices of other predators (kestrels, falcon, hobbies, pygmy owls) are needed, since no self-respecting goshawk would chase such insignificant and nimble prey.
• You can significantly increase the efficiency of the system if you manage to find not only the voices of predators, but also the alarming cries of the species of birds that you are going to scare away, and “dilute” your “concert” with them.
• There is also an idea to use the laptop's built-in webcam as a motion sensor, but this is work for the future.

Comments

I haven’t tested the effectiveness of repelling yet, I’ll start the experiment tomorrow

We forgot about one more (successful, judging by the review) experiment performed by a Random Passerby (see here, comment No. 24):

> [...] Every year in the summer, crows (which are black) with their offspring on the high-voltage line get into the habit of sitting in the morning. [...] At 3 o’clock the sun rises and at half past four or five they sit on a support and start yelling. [...] I downloaded the calls of all sorts of birds of prey from the Internet and played them at 5 am. From the screams of the black kite, they crap themselves and jumped down. So what do you think? So falcons or kites flew in and began to fuck the crows and crows. They immediately hide in the bushes and bushes and bushes towards the forest, scattering bricks along the way [...]

R666 insider	23.06.2019 01:47
>..forgot about one more thing.. Oh, yes - yes! Sorry.. Maybe there will be some more information on this occasion? There is an assumption that the direction of the experiments is still correct. Birds react to the reproduced calls of natural enemies, and with significant high-frequency components. >.. with added 1-2-3 min intervals.. Saddam, I’m also inclined to think that when even a fairly long phonogram is played on a loop, listeners get the idea that “something is too right here.” So you still need a random delay generator and/or a phonogram fragment switch. Something like this...

You are not registred. Register or log in so you don't have to enter the verification code every time (and have other nice features on the site). There is a daily limit on anonymous comments to protect against trolls, school hackers and spam bots. Currently there are comments left: 10 .

Compliance with certain rules when running a household or maintaining retail space will help avoid interest in it from birds. In grain barns it is recommended to use bird-proof storage facilities, on livestock farms - special drinkers and feeders and to maintain order.

At the entrances to retail facilities, it is necessary to hang plastic strips that completely cover the opening from birds, allowing people with heavy bags and carts to move around. Also block ventilation and other entrances to the room, insulate rafter structures and repair windows.

What Birds Are Afraid of: A Review of the 7 Best Methods

If it is not possible to completely eliminate birds or it is not economically feasible, try reducing the attractiveness of bird roosting and nesting sites. These methods are safe for people, livestock and non-target animals, but often require large amounts of money and time to set up, according to the Pennsylvania State College of Agricultural Sciences.

To prevent arrival or nesting, various physical barriers, such as spikes on the eaves, nets that protect garden crops from being eaten, changing the slope of the eaves and window sills. Spikes and mesh will help in the fight against pigeons and larger birds, but small species will be able to settle between the spikes or crawl into a mesh cell. Also, plants or other attractive places and objects can be treated with a spray or gel that has an unpleasant odor or irritates their mucous membranes. Having received a negative experience, a flock or an individual will decide to leave the place.

To get rid of all types of birds, scientists advise resorting to repellent methods, and it is advisable to alternate or combine them. The simplest option is to use dummies and scarecrows in the form of birds of prey or even in the form of eyes. Scientists approve of the use of reflective devices: tapes, slats, discs. This method is considered one of the most common. But there are nuances: pests quickly get used to such objects. And in windless, gloomy weather, when the reflectors do not swing or make noise, they are of little use.

Stores also sell electronic repellents. Some - acoustic - act on the ear. Another type is water repellers with a motion sensor, which release a stream of water towards the trespasser. If the method with water is not in doubt, then with ultrasound the question is not so clear. Despite the fact that there are also positive reviews of such repellers, there are still more negative ones. And scientists doubt their effectiveness as an independent method. Thus, experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln state: “Acoustic devices themselves are ineffective against birds or only effective for a short time. To be useful in such a matter, acoustic devices must be used in conjunction with other monitoring methods. Their most effective use is possible when additional measures are applied that lead to death or painful experience of some members of the population or flock...”

Among other repellents that affect hearing, scientists highlight programmable sound repellers. They record the voices of birds of prey that scare away different types of birds. Such devices can even be configured to scare off specific species: pigeons, sparrows, etc.

Chemical methods

Chemical compounds are used not only to scare away birds, but also to “confuse” them. For this purpose, substances with tannins that interfere with rapid digestion are used, viscous and sticky compounds that complicate food consumption, or masking substances that make fruits or grains invisible. Based on the principle of action on the body, Michael L. Avery from the University of Nebraska divides compounds into two categories:

“Primary repellents cause pain or irritation on contact, and the bird reacts reflexively without expecting a response. Extensive research into the nature and characteristics of dozens of primary repellents leads researchers to the conclusion that pain or irritation resulting from such contact provokes an avoidance response in birds. Many of these compounds have ecological significance in the interaction between birds and their natural foods, and one of the primary repellent compounds, methyl anthranilate, is a registered bird deterrent. Many primary repellents are toxic, but because these compounds taste disgusting, birds will not be able to ingest enough of it to actually harm them. Secondary repellents do not have a distinctly unpleasant taste, but cause illness or discomfort after ingestion.”

The use of primary or secondary repellent is determined by the lifestyle of the bird. If she lives nearby, a secondary repellent is preferable. A primary repellent is suitable for nomadic species.

One such irritant is methyl anthranilate (MA), which is used in the food industry and is safe for humans. It acts on the nervous system as an irritant, causing the bird to lose its appetite. This drug is used to protect berry crops and control the behavior of geese. Anthraquinone, a secondary repellent that causes digestive discomfort, is sometimes used to protect seeds and turf. Subsequently, the individual develops a dislike for foods similar to processed ones.

Another secondary action substance is methiocarb, which is designed against insects. For birds, the compound is not fatal and only causes vomiting and temporary paralysis. However, the substance is toxic and requires the correct dosage so as not to kill the birds. Among non-core compounds, it is also worth noting fungicides that inhibit the activity of birds.

Nest destruction: how to get rid of a bird's nest

Methods to reduce reproduction are permitted for some non-protected species, most notably sparrows, pigeons and starlings. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences professor of Wildlife Resources Margaret C. Brittingham recommends making a long stick with a hook that can be used to periodically destroy nests. A more labor-intensive and delicate method is to make your way to the nest and pierce the eggs with a pin. Since the birds will still hatch them, they will not start building new nests and laying new eggs.

Setting up traps

Bird traps are designed in such a way that they are not harmed and are subsequently released.

Lethal methods

There are very few species that are not protected in any way at the regional, state or international level. These are common pigeons, house sparrows and starlings. They are allowed to be hunted and shot where shooting is generally permitted.

It is important to note that when using lethal methods, it is necessary to monitor the impact on non-target and protected species and limit the possibility of impacting them as much as possible.

Repelling birds in cities and villages

In urban and rural areas, deterrence methods differ depending on specific security measures, the scale of the problem and the property being protected. Usually the species composition differs, which is determined by the bird’s lifestyle, composition and availability of food supply for it.

Sparrows, pigeons and crows are most often found in the city, and seagulls are also found in coastal areas. Crows, seagulls and pigeons rake up the garbage and scatter it. Sparrows can cause much less harm, but they can sneak into warehouses and stores and spoil food. All of these species leave droppings on window sills, under the eaves of houses, trees and various structures. In disadvantaged countries they spread diseases.

In the city, it is convenient to use methods of limited action, such as gel or water repeller that works over a small radius, as well as spikes.

Outside the city, the arsenal of fighting methods is expanding. Deterrent sprays are sprayed on fruit trees or large fields. More powerful water repellers and scarecrows are placed near the house, and metal or plastic reflective tapes are hung.

Comparison table of methods and repellers

Method/product	How, when and where to use it best	Benefits of exposure	Minuses
Spikes	On the eaves of houses and city fences	Prevents pests from landing on surfaces	Violates overall aesthetics and is not suitable against small species
Grids	To protect fruit trees, plantings, ventilation ducts and so on	Effectively protects against large and medium-sized birds	Not always suitable against small species
Light reflectors with sound effect: ribbons, pendants, discs	Suspended where birds are not wanted	Reflected light and noise from the device are a deterrent	The birds get used to it after a while. The best effect is only in windy sunny weather
Sound repellers	Installed in areas that need to be protected	Imitates the calls of predators - a natural threat to birds Large coverage area Setting up to repel different species	Must be used in conjunction with other control methods
Ultrasonic repellers	Installed on balconies, terraces and outdoors	Can repel different types of pests
Water repellers with motion sensor	Placed on lawns	Physical repellent + additional watering of plants	Requires water supplies and battery replacement
Scarecrows	Placed on a personal plot or porch	They scare away with their appearance and noise	Birds get used to it after a while
Chemical: gels and sprays	Various surfaces are processed: cornices, lawns, fruit trees	Causes a persistent reflex that forces you to avoid treated areas in the future	Some compounds are toxic and require proper use according to instructions.
Nest destruction	Nests are destroyed with a stick with a hook	Birds don't have offspring	Temporary effect: they will soon build a new nest

TOP 17 bird repellers

We have written a review of all types of repellers discussed above. Choose exactly what is suitable for your situation and area - and the question “How to scare birds?” will not arise again. The most affordable solutions start at just $10.

Spikes

The easiest way to scare birds away from the eaves of houses and from fences is to install spikes. They sell good polycarbonate and metal spikes under the Bird-X brand. Both products are 10 feet long. They differ not only in material, but also in functional features.

Plastic spikes branched and suitable for scaring away not only pigeons or crows, but also small species, such as sparrows. They are attached to the surface using glue, which is included in the package, and stand.

Metal spikes They have no branches, so they are only suitable for counteracting large species like pigeons. They have a flexible base that allows you to attach the spikes to uneven surfaces. Both products were highly rated by customers.

Scarecrows

Birds are afraid of predators, so a very common method is to imitate the presence of a bird of prey nearby, for example, by reproducing the cry of a predator or installing an appropriate figurine. If you don't know how to keep birds away from your porch or flower bed, the first thing to try is installing a decoy like this.

Bird Blinder offers on Amazon life size owl figurine - Scarecrow Fake Owl Decoy for ~$15.95. It is convenient to fill it with sand for stability or place it on the top of a pole or pole. It should repel birds and rodents and, judging by customer reviews, it does its job well.

Alternatively, a more formidable predator Bird B Gone Hawk Decoy for ~$12.99. The principle of operation is the same, but, unlike Fake Owl, the reviews are far from being so clear. One of the negative reviews is illustrated by a figurine of a hawk in the aviary. From the photograph it is obvious that the birds are not very afraid of the scarecrow. Users give the hawk a rating of only 3.4 stars out of 5.

“Eyes” repellers

In this case, they decided to simplify the task of intimidation as much as possible. Many animals, including birds, have associative perception of visual information. Therefore, only some characteristic elements are used to intimidate, for example, the image of an eye, as in the product Scare Eye Balloon Bird Repellent for ~$15.90. Such a ball is also visually frightening due to its bright colors. Its swaying in the wind will also cause discomfort and a desire to fly away.

The set includes 3 inflatable balls with an eye-shaped ornament encircling the product. The ball can be used in two ways: suspended or thrown into the water in the pool - to protect against waterfowl. More than half of the buyers were satisfied with the product. Those who did not like the product complain about the short period of action, after which pigeons, sparrows and others get used to it and stop being afraid. But this is a common feature of all visual repellers. Scientists don't say anything about these newfangled repellers, but due to their availability, it's worth giving it a chance.

Price from 225 rub.

Reflectors: pendants, discs and tape

One of the most common ways to keep birds away and one of the most budget-friendly. Reflectors do double duty: they dazzle with reflected light and additionally repel with noise. In sunny, windy weather, there is no better solution for protecting windows and trees.

Bird Blinder Repellent Scare Rods is a set of 5 silver pendants made of shiny plastic. Reviews are mostly positive. Users agree that birds, if not completely disappearing, but their numbers are decreasing significantly. Although some buyers claim that pigeons ignore rods.

Made from stainless steel. This is a set of 8 shiny double discs. They not only dazzle with light, but also make more noise than plastic. The manufacturer claims that such pendants will work against woodpeckers, pigeons, sparrows, geese, ducks and rooks - users confirm.

Scare Tape

The reflective holographic tape looks aggressive to birds and, according to the manufacturer, repels any pests. A 150 foot skein costs only ~$11.59 and will last a long time. It is double-sided and you can attach the tape anywhere. This product is easy to use, effective and affordable, which is why users love it.

Price from 225 rub.

Net

Net protects fruit and berry plantings from attacks by flocks, without posing a danger to the birds themselves. Its size is 15 x 45 feet. Based on reviews on Amazon, the mesh works well in most cases, but due to the mesh size, it is still more suitable for protecting against large species. And small species of birds will be able to stick their heads into the cell in search of berries.

Electronic repellers

As mentioned above, not all electronic repellers are equally effective against birds. Water repellers work - provided they have a sufficient range of action. Scientists recommend using acoustic repellers together with other means. There are few popular electronic bird reflectors, which we will tell you about. Which one to choose is up to you.

Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler

Unlike other devices in this top, this repeller repels animals with water. If someone comes within range of the 120-degree sensor at a distance of up to 40 feet, a powerful jet of water is released in the direction of the intruder. For better control, the sensor should be installed in the desired direction in advance. The unit runs on batteries. In general, users are satisfied with its work. “It shoots water so smartly that you don’t even have to hit the animal to scare it away.”. Users confirm: when there is Orbit, bird excrement stops appearing in the pool.

Price: ~$48.32

Bioacoustic repeller EcoSniper

This sound device is a device that records the calls of wild birds of prey. It has both a general repellent mode and special ones for different species. The manufacturer claims that it can be configured to repel as many as 22 species: pigeons, crows, starlings, seagulls, woodpeckers, etc. The repeller works from the network - the speaker’s power is enough for 1 hectare of area. There are 2 operating modes: day and night.

Bird-X Balcony Gard Ultrasonic Repeller

This ultrasonic repeller works in areas up to 900 square feet, according to the manufacturer, and is suitable for use on a balcony, deck, or porch. It's harmless to children and pets, but is it effective? Buyers have no doubts; the product has quite a lot of negative reviews. Special mention is made of pigeons, which are not afraid of the device being turned on. One of the disadvantages is also the audibility of squeaks by children. But still, every third person was satisfied with the effect.

Price: ~$14.47

Hoont Powerful Solar Battery Powered Ultrasonic Outdoor Pest and Animal Repeller

This repellent is suitable for large spaces. It has 3 ultrasonic frequency settings. There is an additional deterrent option - a flashing light. The sensor detects movement up to 30 feet away. This all-weather device can be used outdoors. Manufacturers note that it can be used not only against birds, but also in the fight against mammalian pests, such as chipmunks. The product is generally highly rated by customers. But reviews regarding birds are not positive.

Price: ~$74.85

Chemical repellents

The manufacturer called this gel “liquid spikes” for its use on cornices and window sills. He also recommends using it on any ledges, signs, railings, roofs and other places where pests fly. Everything the gel gets into becomes sticky and unpleasant to the touch. This property promises to repel many species of birds, including pigeons, swallows, ducks, geese, gulls, sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, crows and blackbirds, rooks, etc.

The gel retains its properties well in open air and is completely transparent. It is non-toxic and does not harm buildings or animals - it can be easily washed off if necessary. The three tubes included in the kit will provide a full 30 feet of gel strip.

Price: ~$19.37 (3 tubes per set)

This repellent affects not only touch, but also smell and taste. Its active ingredients are rotten eggs, clove oil and garlic. Once in the mouth of the pest, the active substances cause slight irritation of the mucous membranes. As a result, the animal has a desire to leave a potentially dangerous place. The spray is designed to repel birds and mammals.

Buyers have left various reviews, including quite a few negative ones, which note that the animals return after a couple of days. Those who fight birds note that it may even attract them. Try it yourself to find out if this is true and evaluate its effectiveness.

Price: ~$13.95

This is a ready-to-use concentrate based on methyl anthranilate. This repellent substance has been approved by scientists to control geese eating berry crops. It suppresses the appetite of birds, acting on the nervous system, and is safe for people. In addition to geese, the product is also designed for other large waterfowl and land-dwelling representatives - ducks and turkeys.

The spray is economical: one quart of product is enough for 4000 square feet. - The manufacturer advises using it on large areas. Safe for use even on fruit and berry trees and shrubs.

Price: ~$39.99 (1-quart)

Bird-X Bird Stop Liquid Deterrent

A gallon of this spray is based on the same methyl anthranilate. The product is designed for a large number of species of waterfowl and other birds that cause damage to large fruit plantings, lawns or vegetable crops. Depending on the recommendations for use in various situations (see instructions), the liquid is diluted with different amounts of water.

So far, few people buy the product, and the rating is low. But some users describe a positive experience of use. The guy who saved the blueberry bushes in the garden from swarm attacks writes: “I applied this to my plants 3 times. Because of the rain I needed to repeat the treatment. But after that the attacks on my blueberries stopped.”. He notes the high price, but adds that as long as it works, the price is justified. And purchasing concentrate is still more profitable than ready-made products.

Price: ~$91.48

Bird repeller comparison chart

Name	Type	How to use	Price
Anti-landing spikes	Spikes	Install on a cornice or windowsill
	Scarecrow	Install next to a protected object	$14.95
	Scarecrow		$12.99
	Reflector	Hang in the right place/stretch	$14.95
	Reflector		$19.95
	Reflector		$11.59
	Repellers - “eyes”	Hang in the right place or throw into the pool	$15.90
Bird-X Balcony Gard Ultrasonic Repeller	Ultrasonic repeller	$33.30
Hoont Powerful Solar Battery Powered Ultrasonic Outdoor Pest and Animal Repeller		$79.99
Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler	Water repeller with motion sensor	Connect to water and install on a personal plot, positioned opposite the protected object	$60.40
	Chemical repellents	“Liquid nails”, leave a strip on the cornice	$18.42
		Spray onto lawn or fruit trees	$10.53
			$39.99
			$91.48

How to keep birds away: 5 DIY solutions

You can scare them off yourself without buying special expensive products. Below we have highlighted 5 maximum budget solutions that will save you from such unwanted neighbors. All you need to do is dig around a little in your closet or garage to find the right tools and fabric.

Close the passages to the house

Make a stuffed animal

Since ancient times, people have been installing stuffed animals on their farms not only in the form of birds of prey, but also constructing “people” from improvised materials. To do this, you can use wooden beams, a bucket, unnecessary pieces of fabric, etc. Unfortunately, such stuffed animals only work for a relatively short time. The birds living nearby quickly get used to it and are no longer afraid.

Make your own rattle

To enhance the effect, you can hang rattling metal objects in pair with the scarecrow or make a weather vane that will crack in the wind.

Hang a reflector

Another auxiliary element is reflective tapes and other similar items. Reflectors will blind all flyers and make frightening rustling sounds. Many craftsmen use ordinary foil for such scaring.

Make sure birds don't build a nest

The nests are interesting to watch, but if the birds can cause harm to your household, it is better to take care that they do not breed in your neighborhood. To destroy nests, attach a hook to a long stick.