How to Get Rid of Nuisance Birds

Birds can be less beautiful when they roost in your yard.

Although they're normally seen as valuable and charming animals, birds can be pests when they decide to nest or roost in places you don't want them. Their droppings and nesting material can be quite messy, and the noise of baby birds isn't something many people want to hear. Birds can also bring hazards such as bird mites and diseases to your property. To humanely drive birds away, follow a few simple guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Bird traps
• Predators
• Bird spikes
• Aluminum strips
• Twine/fishing line
• Bird repellent

Instructions

Instructions

1. If you're in the habit of putting out birdseed or bread, stop. If they're not getting free food, birds will be less likely to hang around your house or build nests there.

2. Install sets of bird spikes on any flat surface the birds are using for roosting or nesting. Although these spikes are unsightly, they will effectively keep birds from landing or building nests there. Make sure your spikes are the right size for the birds you're seeing; spikes built for large birds won't stop small ones.

3. Hang aluminum strips along your house in places you've seen birds. These strips will scare off many bird species and keep them from landing on your house.

4. Scare birds away every time you see them around. Wave your arms at them, or throw things in their general direction.

5. Get a cat or two. Natural predation will discourage birds.

6. Set bird traps for birds that are coming back persistently. When you capture birds, keep them in the traps and drive them far away from your house to release them. Chances are they'll find another place to hang out.

7. Prevent future nests and bird populations by using a sprayable bird repellent. Although bird repellents aren't guaranteed to work, they may keep birds away from your house.

Tips & Warnings

• Destroying a nest of baby birds is cruel and inhumane. Destroy nests before a bird lays eggs or after the baby birds leave.

• Bird poisons are illegal in many areas, and killing most birds is illegal in most states.

References

• How to Get Rid of Things: How to Get Rid of Birds, Jonathon Hatch
• Professional Wildlife Removal: Bird Control & Removal