Generally, beautiful avian species are bound to visit our yard every day, but if left to make themselves comfortable, they can become messy. Other than their annoying chirping noises, the mess, particularly the bird poop they leave can make it easy for anyone to consider them pests.
This can become an issue if they love congregating on your porch. They may beautify your compound, but cleaning their bird droppings constantly can make us change our minds. If that’s the case, then you need to learn how to keep birds off porch.
How to Keep Birds off Porch
Currently, there are 3 unique ways to keep birds off our porches: physical, auditory, and visual. On top of that, you can combine these basic methods for better results. Plus, if one doesn’t work, then you should try the other methods. This way, you’ll keep confusing the birds.
Before you try any of the following methods, you should first find out what’s attracting them to your property.
But most importantly, you should pick a bird-friendly method. Some of the elements that can keep attracting birds to your porch include bird baths and a comfortable spot in the house.
But if they still keep coming to your backyard and leaving bird droppings even after removing these elements, then you can try one of the following methods for keeping birds off your porch:
Physical Barriers
If removing various elements doesn’t work, you can try erecting a physical barrier all over your porch. Install bird netting or wire mesh around the porch area to create a physical barrier that prevents birds from entering. Ensure that the netting is properly secured and tightly woven to be effective.
Remember, the bird nettings are made from a wide range of materials that vary in size; therefore, you need to pay attention. If you’re dealing with small birds, you should get bird netting with minute holes that can keep every bird out.
These nettings can help block the gutters and eaves, which are places where wild birds can build their nests.
But during the first days of the installation, you should monitor the nettings and ensure that no bird squeezes through the barrier. And that’s because they can’t squeeze back out, so you should try and free them.
Bird Spikes
If a physical barrier isn’t an option, then you can try bird spikes, also referred to as an anti-roosting device. These bird spikes will repel birds off the porch. These metallic strips are several inches long and quite easy to install.
When dealing with the overhand spikes, you can attach the metal rod to the base, and they will deter these creatures from disturbing your peace.
These spikes can be found in the most convenient stores and won’t harm wild birds in any way, especially when installed carefully.
Placing them on the gutters will stop birds from nesting there. Attach bird spikes to ledges, railings, or other areas where birds commonly land on your porch. These spikes make it uncomfortable for birds to perch, discouraging them from staying.
Hang Reflective Objects
Another reliable method is using various reflective materials to help flash lights to their eyes. After all, they don’t like bright beams getting into their eyes, just like human beings.
Hang shiny or reflective objects near your porch to create flashes of light that keep birds off your porch.
Luckily, there are lots of ways you can reflect light to their eyes, with the most effective ones being:
- Reflective tape: most reflective tapes are super shiny, thanks to the materials used to make them. So they can be quite distracting to look at. On top of that, they do produce some sharp noises that can also come in handy. All you have to do is hang them at the affected places and let them do their magic.
- Small mirrors: hanging small-sized mirrors on all the corners of your backyard or porch railing will deter bird pests. When hanged correctly, they’ll create strong light flashes into the bird’s eyes, forcing them to leave.
- Pinwheels: pinwheels can create a unique visual deterrent when placed correctly all over your yard. All you have to do is mount the pinwheels on the deck railings. Unfortunately, for it to be effective, the wind has to rotate the pinwheels. Therefore, you should install them in places with more than enough airflow.
Scare Birds Away Using Wind Chimes
Wind chimes can indeed be an effective way to keep birds off your porch or outdoor space. The sound and movement created by the chimes can be unsettling to birds and discourage them from landing or nesting in the area.
Here are a few tips for using wind chimes to keep birds out of your porch:
- Choose the right type of metal wind chimes: Opt for wind chimes with larger metallic tubes or bells. The size and material will produce louder and more resonant sounds, which are more likely to discourage birds from your porch. Avoid delicate, small chimes that produce soft tinkling sounds.
- Hang the wind chimes strategically: Place the wind chimes in locations where birds tend to gather or perch.
- Ensure the chimes are exposed to the wind: Wind is essential for activating the chimes and creating the deterrent sound.
- Vary the chime sounds: If you have multiple wind chimes, choose chimes with different pitches and tones.
- Maintain and adjust the chimes: Regularly inspect and clean the wind chimes to keep them in good condition.
Decoys and Predators
In addition to wind chimes, you can also consider using decoys and predators as part of your bird deterrent strategy. Here are a few options you can explore:
- Decoys: Placing decoy birds or other animals that are natural predators of the birds you want to deter can be effective in scaring them away. For example, you can use decoy owls, hawks, or snakes, which are known to prey on smaller birds. Ensure the decoys are realistic-looking and move them periodically to create the illusion of an active predator.
- Predator calls: Some devices are available that emit predator calls or distress calls of birds to create an atmosphere of danger for other birds. These devices can be set to play at specific intervals to prevent birds from settling in the area.
- Bird scare balloons: Bird scare balloons, also known as predator balloons or scare-eye balloons, are large balloons designed with intimidating eyes or predator-like patterns. When inflated and placed on your porch, they create the illusion of a predator, which can frighten birds and keep them away.
- Windsocks or streamers: Hang colorful windsocks or streamers on your porch. The movement and bright colors of these items can confuse and prevent birds from landing or nesting in the area.
- Scarecrow or silhouette cutouts: Install a scarecrow or silhouette cutouts of birds of prey on your porch. These human-like figures or predator shapes can create a deterrent effect, as birds may mistake them for actual threats.
Noise Deterrents
To deter birds off your porch using noise deterrents, you can try the following methods:
- Ultrasonic devices: Ultrasonic bird-repellent devices emit high-frequency sounds that are outside the range of human hearing but can be irritating to bird species. These devices can be installed on your porch and set to emit ultrasonic frequencies at intervals to repel birds.
- Motion-activated noisemakers: Motion-activated devices that produce loud noises when birds come near can startle and discourage them from landing on your porch. These devices are triggered by motion and can be set up to emit a variety of sounds, such as predator calls or distress calls.
- Alarms or loudspeakers: Similar to motion-activated devices, alarms or loudspeakers can be set up to produce sudden loud noises when birds enter the area. These noises can be recordings of predator calls or distress calls. However, it's important to ensure that the volume is not excessively loud to avoid disturbing your neighbors.
- Water sprayers: Some bird deterrent systems use motion-activated water sprayers that spray a fine mist of water when birds approach. The sudden spray of water startles the birds and makes them uncomfortable, encouraging them to leave the area.
- DIY noise deterrents: You can create your noise deterrents by using objects that produce loud or irritating sounds when disturbed by wind or motion. For example, hanging aluminum cans or wind chimes made of metallic objects that clank together can create noise when birds land or fly by, making them uncomfortable and less likely to stay.
Remove Food Sources
Removing or minimizing food sources is an effective way to deter porch birds and prevent the hazards associated with their droppings. Here are some steps you can take:
- Clean up spills and crumbs: Regularly sweep or clean your porch to remove any food particles, crumbs, or spilled birdseed. Birds are attracted to food sources, and by keeping your porch clean, you make it less appealing to them.
- Secure garbage and compost bins: Make sure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids and are properly secured to prevent porch birds from accessing them. If you have a compost bin, ensure that it is sealed or covered to eliminate food odors that may attract birds.
- Store pet food indoors: If you feed your pets on the porch, remove any leftover food as soon as they are done eating. Leaving pet food outside can attract birds looking for an easy meal.
- Cover or store outdoor food and bird feeders: If you have bird feeders on your porch, consider temporarily removing them or relocating them farther away from the porch area. If you choose to keep them, make sure they are covered or designed to prevent spillage and access by larger birds or pests.
- Seal openings and gaps: Birds may be attracted to your porch if they find openings or gaps where insects or spiders are nesting. Inspect your porch for any cracks, crevices, or openings and seal them to eliminate potential food sources for birds.
- Consider bird-repellent plants: Certain plants and herbs, such as marigolds, basil, or mint, have natural scents that birds find unpleasant. Planting these around your porch can help deter birds by making the area less appealing to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does bird repellent spray work?
Bird repellent sprays can be effective in deterring birds from certain areas, but their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific spray, the bird species involved, and the environmental conditions.
Bird repellent sprays typically work by emitting an odor or taste that birds find unpleasant, making them less likely to land or stay in the treated area. These sprays are designed to be safe for birds and the environment while being unpleasant enough to deter them.
What smell keeps birds away?
Several scents are known to be unpleasant to birds and can help deter them from specific areas. Some of these smells include peppermint, citrus, garlic, vinegar, and cayenne Pepper.
Birds are often wary of predators. Using scents that mimic the presence of predators, such as predator urine or predator pheromone-based repellents, can help deter birds.
What predators scare all birds away?
Predators like cats, snakes, coyotes, and owls can work. Therefore, you can place scarecrows of these predators around your porch. The sight of these predators can work perfectly, especially when you add these animals’ scents around the porch.
The perfect combination of these predators and their scent works perfectly, but you'll have to respray the scent a couple of times, especially after it rains.
Conclusion
It’s a known fact that birds can help beautify our backyards; unfortunately, they can be quite a nuisance. Other than the fecal matter, these birds can be destructive and produce lots of noises which can make your home unbearable. Luckily, the above techniques can work perfectly; you can combine them for better effects.
