I've got starlings roosting in the tree in my backyard. They come in to roost every night and cause an incredible racket and defecate all over the tree. Anyone know how to get rid of them? I don't want to kill them, I just want them away from my house.
2007-02-02 10:22:28 · 16 answers · asked by Aidan S 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
The best place to start, as someone suggested above, would be to get a good visual scare device, such at the TerrorEyes (http://www.bird-x.com/products/terror.html). The problem with the fake plastic owls and the pie pans is that they are static and unchanging and birds quickly become used to them. The TerrorEyes is a bright orange balloon with holographic eyes that move and appear to follow the birds wherever they go. This scares them a lot, and they leave. Also, you could try Irritape around the tree. There are also sticky substances you can put on the tree that they don't like and a host of other humane and economic methods to keep birds out of your garden. Visit www.bird-x.com for more information. Best of luck.
2007-02-06 08:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by Tom S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, there is no sure fire way to get rid of them. Those plastic owls do not work at all. I've tried that. I've heard that those sound emitting devices don't work either, and probably cost a lot of money.
The only real way to move them somewhere else, is to trap them in a cage and release them somewhere else. This is a hassle and takes some time and effort. The thing I try to do is this: don't give them a reason to be there, eliminate what they may be feeding on in the area. Keep your grass at a higher level instead of mowing it all the way down. I have a flock of robins visit my yard, after every time I mow. With some animals, and maybe birds, you could run after them several times, and believe it or not, they will scram the minute they see you and possibly get the hint. I doubt if this would work for birds, but if you are desperate, try it, it just may work. I live near a lake area so I deal with all kinds of varmits all the time. Insects are worse around here. Be thankful you don'thave to deal with that year round.
Of course, you could always move, but that's probably not viable
2007-02-02 11:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by cap3382 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
starlings can be difficult. they are a mess and can
overwhelm an area like locusts for a short time.
About 30 years ago, I remember that Ft. Campbell, Ky (101 st. army) had a big problem
with starlings as did many of the air bases in the mid South of
the US. I recall that at the time, there were actually
guys slaughtering starlings with shotguns. I don't
know what they have done since, but it is not
in the news so they must have changed something.
Anyway, I'd look into what airports and military bases do nowadays. I've moved since then, so starlings aren't a problem any more.....turkey vultures though...imagine 100's of them roosting
in your back yard,...but they move on with a little noise.
2007-02-02 11:52:28 · answer #3 · answered by farmer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep birds out of your yard or surrounding area go to a home center store and buy a yard owl. You can fill with sand or perch it in a tree and the birds will stay away because owls prey on smaller birds. Its very low in cost too, about 13.00. Good Luck and let me know if it works.
2007-02-03 03:29:33 · answer #4 · answered by songbyrd1119@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of my life I've seen people use aluminum pie pans. They could be tied in the tree,and the noise of them banging is supposed to keep the birds away. During the day,the sun reflecting off of it does the same. Some people put them in their gardens to keep birds out too. I've saw this done for years. Good luck!
2007-02-03 10:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by buddyrhonda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting lights in the tree that come on at night - the birds won't have much protection and may go elsewhere. Blinds at the windows might be necessary though you won't have to clear up after them.
2007-02-04 04:23:36 · answer #6 · answered by intelligentbutdizzy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hang a balloon that has an eye in the middle of it , I have seen people do this with cherry trees and no birds light in them
2007-02-02 10:26:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to get birds out of your yard is to buy a fake Owl and fill it with sand or gravel so it will not blow away in the wind.
2007-02-02 11:07:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try hanging CDs in the tree on string that catch sunlight and startle them. Maybe try putting rubber snakes in the tree.
2007-02-02 12:09:54 · answer #9 · answered by mattjn36 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Had a similar problem, keep removing the nest, they are persisent, and will rebuild at least 3 times, but eventually will choose new location.
2007-02-02 11:43:04 · answer #10 · answered by Kimberly H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋