How to keep birds away from your house

Although birds can bring music and color to your yard, they may also cause chaos by eating plants, roosting in trees and leaving potentially dangerous droppings.

You can help protect your property against such problems but keep in mind some birds are protected under federal or state laws. Forced removal of any protected bird may require a permit. Check with local officials or a licensed wildlife removal service before attempting to remove birds.

How to help keep birds away

Remove the reason the birds are on your property. Is it food, water or shelter? An easy way to help remove nuisance birds is to eliminate or block the resources your yard offers.

• Prevent access to water features — if you have a water feature such as a bird bath or fountain, birds will likely find it. Drain or cover the feature to help keep them out.
• Remove food sources — try to avoid plants that grow berries or cover them with bird netting. Consider limiting or protecting other outdoor food sources such as gardens, trash cans and pet foods. If a flock of birds is dominating your feeder, ask your local wildlife service what type of seed they won't eat.
• Block potential roosting places — help keep birds away from trees and bushes by pruning them often to remove any cover that birds may seek. Also, consider blocking openings to the house like attics, vents and eaves with screening to discourage birds from roosting or nesting in your house.

Ways to help scare birds away

Fright can be a helpful bird deterrent. Some potential scare tactics may include:

• Flags or decorative garden spinners that move in the wind.
• Wind chimes that provide a loud or consistent noise.
• Shiny objects such as old CDs or foil pans that move in the breeze or silver reflective tape placed where birds may roost.
• Predator figures or decoys such as lifelike scarecrows, owls, coyotes, snakes or cats that can be moved around every few days.
• Large colorful garden balls that can be placed in the garden or hung from trees — birds tend to confuse these with eyes.
• Automated laser lights.

How to help get rid of birds naturally

• Baking soda — sprinkle baking soda where you have noticed birds in your yard. They don't like the feel of it under their toes.
• Chili pepper mixture — crush 24 dried chili peppers (green or red) and add to a half a gallon of water and a quarter cup of vinegar. Warm the mixture either in a crock pot or naturally outside in a container for a few hours. Once cooled, add to a spray bottle and spray in places where birds like to perch. Respray every few days or after it rains.
• Physical barriers — options like bird spikes or bird netting can help prevent birds from landing or nesting.

Enlist local help to remove birds

Bird control requires experimentation, patience and, often, money. If your bird infestation is too great to manage on your own, contact your local animal control or pest control. Some cities may offer specific bird-removal services. Remember to check with local officials before attempting to remove any birds.

How to get rid of geese

Geese can be aggressive, noisy and might leave plenty of evidence from their visit. Here are a few ways to help discourage geese:

• Use visual scare tactics, such as those listed above.
• String nets, fishing line and poultry wire in the affected area to help create a barrier that is difficult for geese to cross.
• Apply liquid goose repellent to areas where geese feed such as yards and shrubbery.

Consider trying a variety of these techniques, as birds can adapt if the same deterrents are used. Check out these other pest management tips for moles and deer.