5 DIY Ways to Keep Birds Away | Natural Bird Repellent (2024)

Some birds are beautiful and fun to watch while others can be downright annoying and destructive. While birds aren’t typically considered a nuisance pest, they can become a problem when their nests obstruct important areas in your house, their droppings carry transmittable diseases, or they get into your attic or chimney.

Understanding what nuisance birds are attracted to is the first step in helping to prevent them. Pest birds such as crows, pigeons, sparrows, robins, and starlings are attracted to food sources they can find around your home (insects, earthworms, corn, seeds, and rotten fruits and vegetables). Woodpeckers are also a common nuisance bird and will drill into your trees in search of carpenter ants, beetles, and other wood-boring insects.

Birds can be attracted to pet food which is often left outside all day for them to feast on. Birds also require water to survive and will use your fountain, water feature, or any other standing water on your property as a birdbath.

While professional bird control is always an option, there are some bird prevention tips you can use at home to help keep birds away. Here are 5 of our favorite DIY bird repellent methods.

1. Modify Their Habitats

If there isn’t anything in your yard to attract birds they will be less likely to hang around. Most birds require freshwater to survive. Substitute saltwater for freshwater in your fountains and water features so birds won’t be able to drink from them. If you feed your pets outdoors, remove or cover their food and water dishes as soon as they’re done with them. Make sure pet food is kept in airtight containers. Birds also like to take cover in grass and other landscaping, especially in windy or stormy conditions. Make sure grass is kept mowed and hedges and trees are kept trimmed to help reduce cover. If you see a bird actively building a nest, use a long stick to dismantle it. Once you do this a few times, the bird will move on to a new nesting site. If the nest is already built or occupied by the bird, don’t attempt bird nest removal yourself. There are laws in each state regulating the removal of bird nests. Contact a professional wildlife exclusion company to help properly remove or relocate the bird nest in question.

2. Aluminum Foil

One of the easiest and cheapest natural bird repellents is aluminum foil. There are several different ways you can use aluminum foil to keep birds away. If birds are disturbing your garden, you can place strips of aluminum foil under the surface of the dirt or around any plants they are bothering. Birds don’t like the feel of the foil under their beaks and will stay away. You can also hang strips of aluminum foil (or shiny party streamers) from the trees or other high points around your home and garden. The sun reflects off the shiny surface and bothers their eyes, deterring them from coming near. If woodpeckers are around, hang an aluminum pie plate to the tree where you see them most often. The reflection off the plate will scare the woodpeckers off.

3. Fishing Wire

If birds are constantly landing in or near your pool, try running fishing wire high over the pool in a criss-cross pattern. You can hang it between 2 trees, between eaves, or from any other high locations you might have near your pool. The birds don’t like the impediment to their flying space and will find somewhere else to land. As a bonus – you won’t be able to see the clear fishing wire from the ground so it doesn’t take away from the aesthetics of your backyard space.

4. Baking Soda

If pigeons and other nuisance birds are invading your patio space or window sills, try sprinkling baking soda anywhere they like to perch. Birds don’t like the feel of the baking soda under their toes and will avoid it at all costs. You can also use double-sided duct tape instead of the baking soda.

5. Predator Decoys

If birds are a problem around your garden, pool, or deck, you can purchase one (or several) predator decoys at your local hardware store to scare them away. As the birds fly overhead, they will see the plastic owl, rubber snake, or whichever other decoy you choose and won’t land near it. Just make sure you move your decoys around often or the birds will get used to them and realize they aren’t real.

The more deterrents you have around your property, the less likely you are to have birds hanging around. If these methods don’t work or you already have an existing bird issue, contact a professional bird control company who can help you safely and effectively remove the nuisance birds and put measures in place to prevent them from coming back in the future.

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5 DIY Ways to Keep Birds Away | Natural Bird Repellent (2024)

FAQs

5 DIY Ways to Keep Birds Away | Natural Bird Repellent? ›

Vinegar has a harsh, unpleasant scent that can irritate a bird's sense of smell. It is also a humane way to repel birds from areas around your home.

What is a homemade repellent for birds? ›

How To Make Homemade Bird Repellent
  1. 14 drops of peppermint oil.
  2. 14 drops of lemon oil.
  3. ½ cup of white vinegar.
  4. ½ cup of water.
Dec 15, 2022

Does vinegar keep birds away? ›

Vinegar has a harsh, unpleasant scent that can irritate a bird's sense of smell. It is also a humane way to repel birds from areas around your home.

What can you spray on your porch to keep birds off? ›

They dislike the feel of the baking soda on their feet. To create a solution of baking soda and water, mix 5 spoonfuls of baking soda into a glass of water. Pour this solution into a bottle with a spray head and shake well before spraying on porch banisters, etc.

What smells do wild birds hate? ›

Primarily, birds dislike really strong smells because they find them quite irritating. These include peppermint oil, citronella, lemon, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic and vinegar. By using this information, we can apply these strong scents to areas that we want the birds to stay away from.

How does baking soda keep birds away? ›

4. Baking Soda. If pigeons and other nuisance birds are invading your patio space or window sills, try sprinkling baking soda anywhere they like to perch. Birds don't like the feel of the baking soda under their toes and will avoid it at all costs.

Can you spray birds with vinegar? ›

Add one tablespoon of ACV to a cup of water, and then rinse your bird with this solution. Can I spray my bird with vinegar? Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) works best but white works also. Wine vinegar will stain light-colored feathers, but if eaten after spraying them it is completely harmless.

What does apple cider vinegar do to birds? ›

ACV can prevent the growth of bacteria and mold; therefore, adding it to your bird's fresh foods as a nutritional supplement has an additional purpose. The acid content of ACV will help reduce the chance of bacterial or fungal growth on fresh foods during the period they are in your bird's food bowl.

What smell gets rid of birds? ›

Smell. A blend of peppermint oil and citronella is proven to emit a smell that is offensive to birds but quite pleasant to humans.

Does WD 40 keep birds away? ›

Keep Animals Away

The lubricant also works as a pigeon repellent on balconies and roofs, because the birds hate its smell.

What scares all birds away? ›

Things to scare birds away

Predator statues such as lifelike scarecrows, owls, coyotes, snakes or cats that can be moved around every few days. Shiny objects such as old CDs, foil pans or silver reflective tape. Large colorful balls placed in the garden or from trees will look like eyes to birds.

How can I stop birds from pooping on my patio? ›

Keep Birds Away From Your Patio, Deck, or Balcony with These Simple Tips
  1. Clean your deck regularly, especially if it is made of wood. ...
  2. Restore or seal your deck every few years. ...
  3. Install bird netting. ...
  4. Install a bird deterrent system. ...
  5. Hang a wind chime on your deck or patio to scare birds away. ...
  6. Place a fake owl in your yard.
Feb 15, 2022

How do I keep birds off my porch with baking soda? ›

Sprinkle Baking Soda

Another effective way to repel birds from building nests is by sprinkling baking soda at their favorite spots. Birds hate to land on areas having baking soda. So, you can sprinkle baking soda on your deck, patio, or perch to discourage birds from perching on your land.

What color do birds hate the most? ›

One color that all birds can seem to agree upon avoiding is white. White creates feelings of danger within birds so therefore they avoid it. On the other hand, bugs are attracted to colors like white and yellow. Blues and greens aren't as vivid to them and they tend to stay away from these colored objects.

What is 4 the bird repellent? ›

4 The Birds Gel Repellent is a transparent sticky gel used to deter pigeons and starlings from landing on surfaces. This polybutene gel is EPA registered (Registration No. 8254-5-56) for use as a repellent for pigeons and starlings.

What smells are toxic to birds? ›

Sources: Gasses like carbon monoxide, smoke from tobacco products, and fumes from new carpets and furniture, air fresheners, scented candles, paints, glues, household cleaning products, mothballs, hair spray, and nail polish can all be harmful when they are in close proximity to birds.

How do you keep birds permanently away? ›

Here are five home remedies to keep birds away:
  1. Shiny Objects. Shiny, reflective objects make great deterrents for problematic birds. ...
  2. Predators. Birds have many natural predators including cats, owls, and larger birds of prey. ...
  3. Garden Balls. ...
  4. Bird Spikes. ...
  5. Repellent Sprays.
Jan 10, 2020

Is hydrogen peroxide bad for birds? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is considered to be generally safe for birds. When dissolved in bath water, hydrogen peroxide has no effect, even when a bird encounters it. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide applied on the cage or within the cage is a safe cleaning option.

Will Vaseline keep birds away? ›

The Vaseline can cover a bird's feathers, preventing it from flying. The feathers also protect birds from the elements. Birds can also ingest the Vaseline, making them sick. The Center for Wildlife said the woodpecker is in guarded condition in a post on its Facebook page.

Will birds drink apple cider vinegar? ›

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Harmful To Birds? Apple cider vinegar is typically between 5-6% acetic acid. If left as is, this is extremely acidic for birds and unsafe.

How much apple cider vinegar do I put in my birds water? ›

The dosage I use approximately 4 tsp for small parrots approximately 6 tsp for medium to large parrots. It can also be given orally diluted in water under the guidance of a vet or avian health practitioner.

How do you mix apple cider vinegar for birds? ›

Dosage for internal and external use

For chickens, add four milliliters of apple cider vinegar per liter of water. For small songbirds, such as canaries and goldfinches, add five drops per 100ml of drinking water. For bathing, add 1 capful of apple cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon per 500ml water.

Can birds eat salt and vinegar? ›

While common backyard birds can process small amounts of salt without difficulty, large quantities are dangerous. Avoid offering birds any foods high in salt, such as salty meats, chips, or other animal foods that include salt for nutritional value.

How much vinegar do you put in a bird bath? ›

To keep your birdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.

What can I spray on my door wreath to keep birds away? ›

Peppermint oil is an effective diy bird repellent spray to keep birds away. Birds detest this smell, and so they will surely stay away from your precious garden once they smell peppermint.

Can birds smell Febreze? ›

WARNING: Febreze products & other brands are toxic to pet birds! From the Febreze website: "Our products are safe to use around children and pets. But when it comes to pet birds, their tiny lungs make them uniquely sensitive to what's in the air around them.

Is Dawn dish soap safe to use around birds? ›

When asked whether they have to use Dawn, Nevill replies, "Dawn definitely works the best. It very effectively removes grease but does not cause harm to the skin of the birds." Nevill and the rest of the workers at the International Bird Rescue Research Center sound like walking commercials for Dawn.

What chemical gets rid of birds? ›

BEST-SELLING Bird Stop® liquid creates an invisible barrier that irritates birds' trigeminal systems (similar to our sense of smell), for a harmless but potent effect. Directly apply to surfaces by painting or spraying liquid to repel birds from feeding, loitering, and landing.

Will mothballs keep birds away? ›

A mothball or ammonia is a chemical product that repulses the bird species. Simply put a few mothballs in the corners of your garage, porch, and selected spots in your garden and yard. The smell of mothballs will drive the avians away from your property. And once the scent fades, replace the mothballs immediately.

What sounds do birds hate the most? ›

One of the best sounds to get birds to scatter (and perhaps not to return) are synthetic sounds such as high-frequency, ultrasonic sounds. If you add in a frightening visual object such as an owl statue or scarecrow with shimmering tassels, the strategy becomes all that much more effective.

What kills more birds than anything? ›

For instance, habitat loss is thought to pose by far the greatest threat to birds, both directly and indirectly, however, its overall impact on bird populations is very difficult to directly assess.

What is the best bird scarer? ›

  • BEST OVERALL: Aspectek Stainless Steel Bird Spikes.
  • BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bird B Gone Enviro-Spike Bird Spike.
  • BEST FAKE OWL: Dalen Gardeneer Natural Enemy Scarecrow Owl Decoy.
  • BEST SPIKES: Bird-X STS-10-R Stainless Steel Bird Spikes.
  • BEST HANGING: De-Bird: Repellent Disks – Bird Proof Your House.
May 6, 2022

How do I keep birds from pooping on my porch railing? ›

Bird Wire & Bird Spikes are two of the most popular products used for decks, balconies, and hand railings.

Why are birds pooping on my porch? ›

Birds are attracted to water. That's why many avian lovers install birdbaths in their homes. So you need to remove any standing water or open water source on or near your porch.

What happens if you feed a bird baking soda? ›

Baking soda will simply cause a seagull to become sick and may cause some stomach discomfort, including the release of gas. A seagull will not explode from eating baking soda and will likely not die.

Does vinegar or baking soda remove bird poop? ›

A simple mixture of baking soda (2 tablespoons), dish soap (a teensy squirt) and hot water, spritzed from a spray bottle onto the droppings and left to soak for 10 minutes, should clear off most stingy bird crud.

Is baking soda safe around birds? ›

One of the best ways to use baking soda in the garden is to clean your bird bath. “Shake baking soda into the basin. It removes mold easily and is safe for birds,” says Birds & Blooms reader Stephen Holland.

How do I keep birds from pooping on my balcony? ›

Keep Birds Away From Your Patio, Deck, or Balcony with These Simple Tips
  1. Clean your deck regularly, especially if it is made of wood. ...
  2. Restore or seal your deck every few years. ...
  3. Install bird netting. ...
  4. Install a bird deterrent system. ...
  5. Hang a wind chime on your deck or patio to scare birds away. ...
  6. Place a fake owl in your yard.
Feb 15, 2022

What does vinegar do to birds? ›

No, you should not spray your bird with vinegar. While vinegar is a popular ingredient in many cleaning products, it is dangerous for birds and can cause skin irritations and eye damage. Vinegar is acidic, so if your bird were to come into contact with it, it could cause internal organ damage and difficulty breathing.

How do you keep wild birds away? ›

Other ways to keep wild birds from your chicken area can be hanging old CD's with string or twine, pinwheels or shiny tape like Nite-Guard-Repellent-Tape around your coop or run. When these move in the wind, the sudden flashes of light startle the birds. Scarecrows with CD's attached to the clothes can also work.

Does salt get rid of birds? ›

The truth is, despite widely circulated reports that salt will kill or harm wild birds, we really do not know for sure what, if any affect, salt has on them. Contrary to some of those widely circulated reports, anecdotal evidence suggests more than likely that salt does not pose a health risk for birds.

Does Neosporin work on birds? ›

No, definitely do NOT use Neosporin or any type of ointment. Unless it is specifically an ophthalmic ointment, it can cause blindness if he gets it in his eye. Also, you can't be sure what caused this spot. If it is still there tomorrow and doesn't look any better, I would take him to an Avian Vet.

What can I put on my balcony to keep birds away? ›

Tie wind-chimes, old CDs, or mylar balloons to your balcony or around patios. Set out decoy owls or rubber snakes so that they are visible to the birds. Tie a string an inch of so above the railing of balconies so they can't land.

How do I keep birds from flying into my patio? ›

Netting. Cover the glass on the outside with netting at least 3 inches from the glass, taut enough to bounce birds off before they hit. Small-mesh netting (around 5/8″ or 1.6 cm) is best, so that birds don't get their heads or bodies entangled but will bounce off unharmed.

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