How to Keep Birds Out of a Swimming Pool

After spending thousands to install a swimming pool, you might find yourself spending hours you didn't bargain for cleaning bird droppings off your pool area. Luckily for you, there are many ways to deter birds. Try several and find the one that works best for you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Remove anything that might attract birds to your yard, such as a bird feeder or a bird bath. Take away all flowers or plants that might lure birds into your garden.

2. Buy a fake replica of a predator to scare the birds away. Most people opt for owls, which can be placed in or hung from a nearby tree or awning. Some birds might respond better to rubber snakes placed on the solar cover, or around the perimeter of the pool.

3. Keep the birds away by moving the predators every few days. Some pool owners think it is easier to buy a mechanical replica that detects motion. For example, some owl replicas will flap their wings or move their heads when they sense movement in your yard.

4. Choose a holographic product for a more aesthetically pleasing alternative, such as such as Irri-Tape (see Resources below). The combination of the movement and the light reflecting from the water surface will keep birds out of your swimming pool. Alternatively, some people like a product called Terror Eyes, which is a balloon with holographic eyes (see Resources below).

5. Place a toy or object in the water when the pool is not covered. Some pool owners say an inflatable dolphin from FlippyDolphin.com will keep birds out of your swimming pool area (see Resources below).

6. Repel birds with sound waves. While generally reserved for keeping birds out of large areas like fields, parks or athletic stadiums, a sonic or ultrasonic system could be the answer for a major bird problem. These are generally unneeded by homeowners and are much more expensive than other methods, as they can cost several hundred dollars.

Tips & Warnings

• Replicas of alligators or coyotes, placed in the water, have been used effectively to keep birds away from large areas.
• Some methods are more effective against certain bird species than others. Use AbsoluteBirdControl.com's list to determine what works best for pigeons, starlings, grackles, crows, seagulls, woodpeckers, swallows, sparrows, ducks and geese (see Resources below).

Resources

• Irri-tape
• FlippyDolphin.com
• Transparent bird gel
• AbsoluteBirdControl's products by bird species list

[netber]

on 8/24/2008 I Buy bird control products that work from http://www.absolutebirdcontrol.com