Birds

boetstark

Hi folks.
Has anybody got any genuine methods of deterring birds, starlings and other smallish species.
They have our driveway, patio and patio furniture destroyed with sh#t.
Whatever they are eating must be very acidic, 250 euro of damage to paintwork on bonnet of car.

Sixtoes

boetstark wrote: »

Hi folks.
Has anybody got any genuine methods of deterring birds, starlings and other smallish species.
They have our driveway, patio and patio furniture destroyed with sh#t.
Whatever they are eating must be very acidic, 250 euro of damage to paintwork on bonnet of car.

Some sort of fake predator like this:
Garden Bird Repellent Eagle Kite,Bird Scarer Repeller Flying Kite,Hawk Bird Scarer Kite for Outdoor Garden Farm Yard Decoration - Include 2M Kite Line https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BPB9FST/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZBRJR24JC1F84957RKZ5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

fiacha

Are they roosting or sitting over the areas that get hit ? In trees or on wires etc ?

My garden is filled with birds every day and I don't have any issues with droppings. I don't have anywhere for birds to settle over the driveway or patio so I'm just wondering if that is why I don't get the mess.

I've never tried the hawk kites myself, but I have heard of farmers that have been impressed with them on tillage fields.
Starlings are fairly impervious to scarers. I've seens sheds that have recordings of kestrels playing throughout the day filled with them. Brazen little feckers.

youtheman

I have experience in work in trying to deter birds. Not as easy as it seems. In the end we hired the services of a professional bird control specialist.

To 'scare' a bird you need to 'build an association of mortal danger'. So erecting some type of 'dumb' scaring device is absolutely useless as the birds will quickly figure out that the is no downside for them. If you have a real bird of prey in the background then they will take heed.

For your specific application I would try erect some 'invisible' type of string (e.g. fish line) over the site. If a bird hits something and then can't figure out what it is then you definitely will have their attention. They will be loath to come back.

policarp

boetstark wrote: »

Hi folks.
Has anybody got any genuine methods of deterring birds, starlings and other smallish species.
They have our driveway, patio and patio furniture destroyed with sh#t.
Whatever they are eating must be very acidic, 250 euro of damage to paintwork on bonnet of car.

Can you not accommodate your bird friends?
Cover your car and your furniture. Clean the driveway once a year.
It's their world too.

chooseusername

boetstark wrote: »

Hi folks.
Has anybody got any genuine methods of deterring birds, starlings and other smallish species.
They have our driveway, patio and patio furniture destroyed with sh#t.
Whatever they are eating must be very acidic, 250 euro of damage to paintwork on bonnet of car.

Do this;

https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/23/sheffield-neighbour-cut-tree-in-half-after-petty-row-over-nesting-birds-14817831/

Cerco

youtheman wrote: »

I have experience in work in trying to deter birds. Not as easy as it seems. In the end we hired the services of a professional bird control specialist,.

For your specific application I would try erect some 'invisible' type of string (e.g. fish line) over the site. If a bird hits something and then can't figure out what it is then you definitely will have their attention. They will be loath to come back.

Rather drastic and inhumane just to avoid bird sh1t. Nobody likes to see it on their shiny car but takes little effort to clean it. Live and let leve!

athlone573

Hang compact disks on a bit of fishing line from the gutters or downpipes, the shine and movement scares the birds, like a cheap scarecrow.