How to Keep Birds Away from Your Home

Birds are lovely to have around the property because they can provide relaxing entertainment and they help to keep pesky insects at bay. However, the enjoyment of birds can go away quickly if you have birds that perch on your home, fences, trees, and lawn ornaments. A single bird that has taken a shine to a particular perching area can quickly leave a whitewash of bird poop behind, especially if it’s a large bird. There are some things you can do to keep a bird, or a flock of birds, from perching on your property.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Disturb the birds that like to perch in trees by clapping and shouting beneath the trees, shaking the trees they perch in, and/or shooting off firecrackers, if they are legal in your area.

2. Hang shiny objects such as pie pans or helium balloons near the areas where a bird, or flock of birds, is perching. Helium balloons work especially well for very high places that can’t be easily reached. Just attach them to a long piece of string and tie them to something sturdy. They’ll float up and deter the birds.

3. Place a high-powered sprinkler system that is motion activated or set on a timer so it will shoot water onto the areas where a bird, or a bird flock, is continually perching.

4. Attach blown-up owls and snakes around the areas where a bird likes to perch.

5. Wrap posts that a bird perches on with newspaper. Make sure at least eight inches extends past the post.

6. Erect a scarecrow.

7. Get a cat.