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Bird Management

Managing Wildlife Home || Who to Call for Help
Deer || Rabbits || Rodents || Raccoons || Moles
Geese || Birds || Skunks || Squirrels || Snakes
Bird Management We all benefit from the beauty and pest-eating of certain bird species. However, some birds become pests causing significant income loss by feeding on crops and spreading droppings around structures, equipment, and landscapes. More than 60 transmissible diseases (some of which are fatal) are associated with the droppings of pigeons, starlings and sparrows. Effective chemical repellents are not widely available. Even when they are, health concerns for children and pets are always a worry. Elimination is not possible.

This leaves three options for bird control. You can use barriers such as roosting spikes or repellent caulk; harassment devices including balloons, decoys, and distress calls; or live traps. To implement a successful bird control program you should:

  • Gather specific data about the population and type of birds, length of time that they stay, flight patterns, and nesting, feeding, and roosting habits.
      
  • Find out what the birds find attractive about your area. Is it food, shelter, etc?
      
  • Always put management devices in place before feeding and nesting patterns have been established. It is much more difficult to control birds once a living pattern has been established.
      
  • Use a combination of tactics at the same time. Noise and visual scare devices are much more effective when used together. Also, move the devices every few weeks so birds do not become accustomed to them.
      
  • Remove the devices once the season is over.

When implementing a bird control program, you must consider the size of the problem area. Some management techniques are only feasible and efficient on smaller areas, while other techniques are only feasible or efficient on larger areas. Below are possible bird control solutions you can implement.


Bird Control for Smaller Areas

By smaller areas, we mean those that are less than one acre, such as yards, gardens and buildings. To manage pest birds in these areas you can use live traps, scare balloons, tape, roosting spikes, repellents, or owl decoys.


Scare Balloons
   

   
Scare balloons come in 18" or 24" inch sizes. Made from durable vinyl, the 18" balloon comes in three different colors, and can be reused each season. The 24" balloon is only offered in one color, but with holographic eyes and a coil spring, it is a better choice for high value crops and larger areas. Also, the 24" can be reused each season. The balloons are hung from trees or poles to scare away flocks of nuisance birds who are repelled by its bright color and unusual design. The eyes of the balloon exaggerate the glaring eyes and gaping mouth of a predator bird. The waving streamers and bobbing and weaving motion simulate a live predator bird, which frightens the birds. The number of scare balloons to use per acre varies with the species and number of birds. In most cases, six balloons per acre will be effective. Research shows that maximum effectiveness is obtained by rotating colors. No color should be used more than three weeks at a time, or they will lose their effectiveness. Scare balloons have proven to be effective with all species of birds, except robins.
Scare Balloons
Extra-large Scare Balloons

Live Traps
   
Live traps are an easy and humane way to relocate nuisance birds. First, you should pick a suitable spot where the trap will be most effective. Begin feeding the birds the planned bait, such as cracked corn, seeds, etc. After the birds are coming to the area regularly to feed, you can set the traps with feed inside.
Live Trap for Sparrows
Live Trap for Pigeons

Roosting Spikes and Repellents
   

   
Roosting spikes and repellents are used on areas such as roof ledges, windowsills, trusses and beams to keep birds from landing. Roosting spikes are available in single or double row stainless steel in 24" lengths, or in a tough polycarbonate in 12" lengths. They can be mounted on flat, curved, or irregular surfaces, and will not rust. The roosting repellent comes in 10 or 28 oz caulk tubes, which can be applied with your regular caulk gun. The caulk, which does not harm birds, adheres to most surfaces while keeping a soft, sticky elasticity. It deters birds by making their resting places undesirable. It is clear and odorless and can easily be replaced or re-coated as the sticky material collects feathers, dust, and other debris.
Single Row Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
Double Row Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
Plastic and Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
Tangletrap & Bird Repellent - 10 oz Caulk Tube
Tangletrap & Bird Repellent - 28 oz. Caulk Tube

Flash tape

Flash tape is another effective way to deter problem birds. Offered in both reflective and holographic, tape can deter birds in three ways. First, it is a visual deterrent. The tape reflects sunlight, or any light, to produce constantly changing colors and patterns. This unsettling, flashing effect is seen by birds as a danger signal. Whether seen as a predator, or a rival for food or space, birds will not ignore this potential danger. Second, it creates a hostile sound environment. The noisy crackle the tape gives off when caught by a slight breeze will rattle even the most courageous birds. Third, the tape can be used as a physical barrier. Applied along a ledge, or fence, the tape will prevent birds from landing.
Holographic Tape - 2" x 25'
Holographic Tape - 2" x 100'
Red/Silver Flash Tape - 1" x 290'

Owl Decoys
   
Owl decoys are offered in a variety of styles. The Great Horned Owl is one of the most feared predators in nature. It will feed on pigeons, starlings, geese, rodents, rabbits, and even skunks. You can choose from balloons or plastic decoys, some of which have rotating heads, motion-activated hooting and glowing eyes, or outstretched wings ready to spring into flight.
Rotating Head Owl
Lifelike Owl Replica

Bird Fencing

Bird Fencing
Small 1"x.0.75" aperture blocks out disease-carrying small birds while allowing air circulation.
2'x25' Black Multi-purpose Netting
3'x25' Black Multi-purpose Netting
4'x25' Black Multi-purpose Netting
4'x50' Black Multi-purpose Netting

Bird Control for Larger Areas

By larger areas, we mean those over one acre, such as agricultural fields, parks and golf courses. To manage pest birds in these areas, you can use distress calls, pyrotechnics or L.P. cannons. Keep in mind that for best results, these should be used in combination with the products listed above.


Distress Call Systems
   
Distress call systems repel birds by broadcasting audible distress calls of different bird species. Pre-recorded distress calls of the robin, house finch, common grackle, ring-billed gull, blue jay, red-winged blackbird, and the predator cry of the sharp-shinned hawk are included. They are fully programmable, so you can choose which distress calls to use, and preset for time delays and time of operation.
Bird Gard Pro
Bird Gard Pro Standard Unit
Bird Gard Pro Crow Unit
Bird Gard Pro Plus
Bird Gard Pro Plus Standard Unit
Bird Gard Pro Plus Crow Unit
Bird Gard Super Pro
Bird Gard Super Pro Standard Unit
Bird Gard Super Pro Crow Unit

Pyrotechnics
   
bird bangers
Pyrotechnics are pistol-launched noise deterrents that will scare birds away or keep them from landing. A 15mm pistol is used with 6mm blanks to launch either a Screamer Siren or a Bird Banger toward the nuisance birds. The pistol is available in a single or double shot version. The screamer-sirens produce a 100-decibel siren-like sound as they travel toward a target up to 300 feet away. The bird-bangers travel 100-150 feet down range before exploding with a 100-decibel explosion.
15 mm Bird Bangers w/blank launchers, Box of 100
Box of 100 15 mm Screamer Sirens w/blank Launchers
Single Shot Pistol for use with Pyrotechnics
Double shot Pistol for use with Pyrotechnics

L.P. Cannons
   
L.P. Cannons produce harmless 130-decibel bangs to disperse birds and wildlife from crops, orchards, vineyards, golf courses, etc. They require no batteries or electricity, needing only a 5-gallon L.P. cylinder, such as those used on barbecue grills. The cannons are available in a single detonation (M4), or a multiple detonation (M8). The M4 produces single bangs which can be regulated from one every 30 seconds, to one every 20 minutes. The ignition system will produce up to 200,000 ignitions. The M8 produces six bangs within a 90 second period. Three are fired in the first thirty seconds, and three at irregular intervals. The frequency of the six-shot series can be adjusted from one every 45 seconds, to one every 20 minutes. Available accessories include a Rotomat that enables the cannon to change direction each time it fires, and a windable timer that will activate and deactivate the cannon once in a 24-hour period.
M4 Single Detonation Cannon
M8 Multiple Detonation Cannon
Rotomat Revolving Platform

Note: Before using the sound deterrents, contact your local law enforcement agency for ordinances on noise control, fire safety codes and restrictions on possession and discharge of a firearm.

For more information on these products, please contact GEMPLER'S Technical Service Department by phone at 1-800-874-4755, or E-mail at techserv@gemplers.com.

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