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 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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
| |
Small 1"x.0.75" aperture
blocks out disease-carrying small birds while allowing air
circulation.
|
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 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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|