Birds are a beloved choice for a pet and great fun to have around. They are natural pest control in fields, parks, or farms. A lot of people even decide to welcome the fluttery creatures in their front yard trees. But, if they are uninvited guests, things take quite a different turn. Birds can be a real nuisance if they appropriate your balcony, garden, or orchard. From eating fruits and seeds to leaving droppings everywhere, birds can be persistent when they find a place they like. Not to mention that many species love nesting in cozy spots like chimneys or ventilation systems. That can lead to property damage or health issues for you and your loved ones. Fortunately, there are a couple of animal-friendly ways to choose from when fighting birds. Here’s Peak Services‘ choice of the best bird deterrents in 2022.
Go with the pros and you won’t go wrong
Professional bird control services are, by far, the most reliable method of dealing with the issue. Not only can they drive them off of your property, but also make sure that pesky buggers never return. The only downside is that it can get expensive, depending on the extent of the infestation. Still, it beats every other option on this list.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Long term solution
Cons:
- Can get expensive
Services of trained professionals remain the best bird deterrents in 2022.
Reflective objects
Despite the stereotype that some birds are attracted to shiny objects, reflective discs and tapes can be a good way of scaring unwanted feathery creatures. There is a variety of options when it comes to choosing this type of deterrent. Most of them are simple to use and set up.
Double-sided reflective ribbon or tape
Out of all the best bird deterrents in 2022 on our list, this is by far the simplest one. Reflective ribbons and tapes are a good choice if you don’t want to bother too much. They are easily set up in open bird-effected areas. However, they are almost impossible to set up in places with difficult access, such as under the solar panels, for instance.
The tapes work especially well if there is a slight breeze or wind. They reflect sunlight which bothers and disorients the birds. If there is a gust of wind the tapes will move and make a rustling sound that will additionally scare the birds off. On the flip side, noise can be irritating, if you set ribbons up close to a window or porch.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Cost-effective
- Waterproof
- Festive look
Cons:
- Noisy
- Messy
- You may need an additional deterrent
Reflective hangers
Hangers can be an elegant and attractive solution. You can choose from a variety of discs and rods. Most of them are versatile and adjustable. Similar to the shiny tape, discs reflect sunlight which disorients birds. They are easy to use and set up. You just have to hang them in the affected place and you’re good to go. However, if you’re DIY installing them, exercise caution. The protective film can be a bit fidgety to remove and can cause some minor cuts.
Pros:
- Elegant
- Attractive
- Versatile
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Possibility of minor injuries while setting up
Best bird deterrents in 2022: High-tech edition
If you are more into modern solutions for your bird issue, there are a few devices you can choose from. Usually, these products feature an animal-friendly approach and intelligent sensor technology. You can sit down and relax while the machine takes care of your unwanted guests. Let us look at some of the good and bad sides of the best high-tech bird deterrents in 2022.
For natural lawns, motion-sensitive sprinklers are the best bird deterrent choice.
Motion-sensitive sprinklers
Water your lawn and drive away those pesky birds that keep eating your grass seeds. Sounds good? It is! Most motion-sensitive sprinklers have an adjustable coverage area. Some of them have a day, night, and 24-hour mode that you can also adjust to your needs. They are well-built and can withstand almost all weather conditions. And, they are powered by batteries which can last for a long time. The downside of sprinklers is their incredible sensitivity. They can go off at the slightest motion, which makes them quite wasteful.
Pros:
- Sensor technology
- Batteries last a long time
- Durable
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Reacts to the slightest motion
- Sensor range can be quite short
- Can pump up your water bill
Ultrasonic bird repellers
This is a pricey solution but definitely worth it. Ultrasonic bird repellers work by producing high-frequency sound. While silent to most people, birds absolutely hate it. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the ultrasonic deterrents does not end with birds. It also repels other small animals like squirrels, skunks, and foxes. It is waterproof, and you can easily mount it on walls, porches, and balconies. Some ultrasonic deterrents emit predatory bird calls and most have a decent range.
While the Ultrasonic bird repeller is one of the best bird deterrents in 2022, it isn’t without its downsides, the major one being adjustment. It takes persistence to nail the frequency or predator call, which can take a while.
Pros:
- Silent
- Waterproof
- Small and discreet
Cons:
- Takes time to adjust
- Pricey
(Not so) Natural predators
No, no, (ahem…) bear with us here! We don’t mean you should make a zoo out of your front yard. Garden statues will more than do the trick. There is a good selection of owl and eagle scarecrows to choose from. These decoys work very well and some even boast reflective eyes, making them even more efficient. The only issue is that birds tend to get used to it if it stays in one place for too long. So, you’ll have to move them once in a while. Otherwise, you’re back in for a regular turf cleaning.
Pros:
- Lifelike
- Low cost
- Decorative
Cons:
- Need to be moved once in a while
If you want to decorate your garden and scare off uninvited guests, garden statues are a great choice.
Bird netting
If you have a small vegetable garden or orchard you’ve surely encountered some pest birds. Bird netting is among the best bird deterrents in 2022 for this kind of situation. It is lightweight so that your plants don’t suffer under it. Most bird nettings are extensible and flexible, making them super-easy to set up. However, there are reports of birds getting caught in it, making this the most inhumane choice on our list.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Adjustable
- Economical
Cons:
- Birds might get caught in it
Bird spikes
This kind of deterrent is very effective. There’s a vast variety of bird control spikes to choose from and most are very durable depending on the material which they are made from. But, while spikes work well on larger birds, they might not work on the smaller ones at all. And, while newer versions aren’t harmful to humans or pets, people still tend to get pretty uncomfortable around them.
Pros:
- Durable
- Versatile
- Unsharpened tips
Cons:
- Takes time to set up
- May not work on small birds
- Can make people uneasy
Choose the right deterrent for your situation
While options on this list are among the best bird deterrents in 2022, not all may work for you. Therefore, consider carefully which one will suit your needs. Take a look at how difficult it is to set up and care for. Research which bird species you’re dealing with as some of them might not work on specific birds. And, do not get discouraged if one does not work. It often takes some mixing and matching for deterrents to achieve their full effectiveness. Or, if you don’t want to bother, simply opt for professional services. You’ll save precious time and be certain that the solution will work.
