BIRDS, BIRDS GO AWAY!!

[TBone]

Last summer we built a (covered) wooden deck onto the back of our house. We previously had a concrete patio that wasn't covered and we rarely used it because it was either in the broiling Mississippi sun in the summer or in the drizzling rain in the winter.

The covered deck is wonderful. We have a good view on the back and having a roof over it solves most of the weather related problems.

We used pressure treated pine lumber that we stained by hand and it looks really good,except for the bird poop. They roost all over the deck - on the chairs, on the swing, on the table, on the outside rail and leave their droppings everywhere. I guess we could screen it in but I really don't want to.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get rid of them (short of sitting up with a 12 gauge). THANKS!

Invadedbybirdsinmississippi

 

[JohnS]

How about two 12-gauges, include a friend, and have a little competition... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Another common remedy is using monofilamit fishing line. Run lines parrellel to the railing, about six inches apart, upto the roof line. The theory is is they hate running into things they can't see. While I have seen this on many covered decks and gazzebos, I haven't had the need to try it. So, I don't know if the birds become "trained", such that they stay away, and you can take down the fish line. What kind of birds are giving you the most headaches?

JohnS

 

[JOR_EL]

Are they vultures? What do you look like?

Put the healthiest-looking family member on the deck for a few days, ...and see if they lose interest, and fly away! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Larry

 

[RichZ]

TBone, JohnS's suggestion is a good one. It also may help to buy a few of those fake owl statues that they sell in garden stores and catalogues. Most small birds are afraid of owls and hawks. Movement might also discourage them. You could mount some decorative whirl-a-gigs, and the movement might also discourage the birds.

Good luck!

Rich

 

[JohnS]

Yea, but the fishing line technique works, too! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I forgot to add, use only the clear fishing line, not a flourescent or or colored line.

JohnS

 

[RichZ]

JohnS, I didn't mean to imply that it didn't work, it does. In fact that would be my first choice, my others are add ons.

Rich

 

[JohnS]

Rich, It was just a joke. I knew what you meant. Sorry for the confusion.


JohnS

 

[cowboydoc]

I'm going to have to try this in my barn. As fast as I pull down nests they build them back up. I keep it closed up but the little devils fly in under the doors.

 

[TBone]

Thanks for the suggestions. The deck is about 12' X 28" so it would take a while to string up enough monofilament plus I would have to close up my "opening" to the steps to be effective. This would keep me out as well. I like the owl idea - I know most birds are scared of them. These are sparrows mostly, a small bird with excellent digestive systems. I also thought about getting a [hungry] cat and trying to intice him (or her) to stay on the deck. Haven't figured out how to do that yet, though. I do think I will go by this afternoon and get a plastic owl and put him on the rail. I'll let ya'll know if this works. THANKS AGAIN! Birdsforsalecheapinmississippi.

 

[JohnS]

TBone, I hope it works out for you. The owl will be much more esteticly pleasing, then the fishing line. Worth trying first, anyway. If it doesn't work out, and you decide to try the fishing line, you might want to lower the gap to 4" for sparrows. It shouldn't take more then a couple of hours to string-up. The applications I've seen, just made a number of wraps around the support poles. No need for putting in a number of nails, tacks, etc. Also, leave your doorway open. If the birds are smart enough to always use the door, none of this will work anyway! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Everything except the shotgun, that is!

JohnS