Stop Woodpeckers from Damaging Utility Poles with Bird Scare Devices

Federally protected Woodpeckers have been thorns in the utility industries' back for years due to the inordinate amount of damage they cause to utility poles. This damage is not only unsightly but it creates a safety hazard for the linesmen who have to climb these weakened structures. Woodpeckers like to peck into utility poles for a variety of reasons.  A common theory is that communication poles offer a great vantage point to view the surrounding areas for available food or potential predators. Woodpeckers use utility poles for drumming - a signal to attract a mate or to establish territory. However, the primary cause of damage is to create a nesting or food storage cavity. The resulting damage is often so severe that utility workers cannot make needed repairs. Moreover, left unchecked the pole will either fall down or be so deteriorated that it would be impossible to climb.

 
Poles damaged by woodpeckers are also responsible for power failures, creating electrical power outages.

All are major problems for the utility companies which results in millions of dollars in damage and ongoing safety risks.

Failed Bird Control methods -

Over the years a number of audio & visual bird deterrents have been used unsuccessfully to control woodpeckers from damaging utility poles  - owl and snake effigy's, scare balloons, single speaker non specific audio or worse ultrasonic systems.  Birds typically do not respond to both of these systems and quickly habituate to these devices and return to their previous activities.

Prevent woodpecker damage to Utility poles

State of the art bird control visual systems are now available with increased success. The Firefly BirdFlight Diverter is currently in use worldwide to deter birds from transmission & distribution power lines, cell  & MET towers.  The Holographic Owl is considered the primary deterrent for residential use against acorn, downy and other woodpecker species. This bird control product moves in the slightest breeze and have color properties that scientifically affect avian vision.  A stationary called the Woodpecker Decoy is a life-size double-sided image of the Pileated Woodpecker has been used successfully on power poles to warn encroaching birds that the pole is ' occupied territory'.  The new Gull-Scare Cat Decoy can also be mounted facing down to scare off woodpeckers with the threat of a predator in the area.

 

New woodpecker & pest bird deterrent is the BirdFire Optical Gel, which affects all pest bird species by triggering multiple sensory responses. First, the material emits a UV light to make it appear as a flame to approaching birds. Stick the pre-loaded dishes near and around the woodpecker problem areas!

There are now non toxic repellents that have proven to be both significantly effective and environmentally friendly. The Woodpecker Paint & Stain Additive have a 25 year history for residential use. Both products would have a mitigating effect against woodpecker damage. A new Woodpecker control product is the Optical Bird Gel which is installed in dishes and can be glued around the problem area.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

Stop Damage to Blueberry Crops using Audio & Visual Bird Deterrents

Birds & wildlife cause millions of dollars worth of damage every year to blueberry crops.  The loss of these crops not only affects the farmers’ yield, it also leads to lost jobs from the loss in income. This is becoming large problem due the continued expansion of blueberry crop size and the increase in restrictions for repellents and toxins.
Birds are one of the leading sources of crop damage that impacts farmers negatively, creating a crop loss of 10% all the way up to 60% in some instances.  All sorts of birds can contribute to the loss of crops, but the main problem birds are starlings, robins, blackbirds and finches. Animals like rabbits, raccoons, and porcupines also play a role in damaging blueberries.

Out dated bird control methods
Farmers have experienced limited success using bird control methods in the past because the birds tended to become accustomed to the sounds and/or visual products that were available.  Common audio deterrents just repeat bird distress calls over and over and use generic bird/predator calls that are not specific to the geographic location. The predictable play pattern and the unfamiliar predator sounds tend to fail after a few days. 

Solution: Use a combination of modern agricultural bird deterrents.

To successfully increase your crop yield, a combination of bird deterrent products should be deployed about 6 weeks before fruit starts to show color.

Small vineyards or farms can use The Bird Squawker. It is from the same family of products as the Bird Wailer with the same kinds of  bird distress and predator calls , but it’s designed for use on smaller plots of land. The Zon Gun Mark IV Propane Cannon is another effective bird deterrent that can be used along with the Bird Wailer to create additional confusion in the flocks.  The Zon Gun Mark IV Propane Cannon. A lightweight portable propane-fired cannon emits automatic thunderclaps that deter pest birds and other nuisance wildlife. When using a Zon Gun Mark IV Propane Cannon to repel problem birds, make sure you purchase the additional tripod, which allows the gun to change directions after every blast.  This creates a more realistic ‘threat’ from the bird or nuisance animal’s perspective. Also available is the Zon Gun Electra Bird Scare Cannon which has a built in Timer. 

 
Visual Bird Deterrents
While the Bird Wailer is designed to be a stand-alone product, when you combine it with visual bird deterrents you will increase the chances of a successful bird scare campaign.  The small amount spent will be more than made up by the increase in your crop value.
Visual bird deterrents work on bird’s predatory fear of sudden movement and predator effigies. A variety of visual deterrents like the Dead Crow Bird Scare Decoy, Holographic Owl, Holographic Repel Strips, Scare Eye Balloons, ScareEye Octopus, Mylar Flash Tape   Bird Free Bird Repellent Gel appears as flames to birds and can be hung on branches in pre-loaded dishes and a  bird scare device called the Flying Falcon Bird Diverter fly's on wire up to 100' in the air. This product creates the fear that a predator is flying over the vineyard.  Position the visual deterrents so that they can move freely in the wind and thereby catch the bird’s attention. This, combined with the predator calls and bird distress calls creates an ‘area of terror’ that constitutes a realistic threat to the birds’ safety, causing them to search elsewhere for their meal or roosting location.

Electrified Critter Netting
If you are experiencing a problem with small animals like raccoons and porcupines, Electrified Critter Netting can be set up around the perimeter of the field to keep them out and train the animals to go somewhere else.  Electrified Critter Netting provides a static electric-like shock to the animals, convincing them that whatever is on the other side of the net barrier is not worth taking the risk of the shock from the netting. 

Reduce crop loss to birds
By installing modern and effective bird control products like those mentioned above, you can dramatically increase crop yield and value.  The small upfront investment will be rewarded at the end of the season.  Devices like the Bird Wailer and Zon Gun Mark IV Propane Cannon can be deployed year-after-year, making for a very cost-effective investment in crop protection.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

 

Learn where to professionally install Bird Spikes and Pigeon Spikes.

Bird Spikes are the most widely used bird control product to keep pigeons and larger birds off of buildings, ledges, beams, chimneys lights etc. They are available in a variety of materials including; Bird Spikes Stainless Steel,  Plastic Bird Spikes and Bird Spikes Stainless Steel & Plastic. While Bird Spikes can be used in a wide variety of situations, it is important to also  take into account the birds behavior and reason for roosting on the structure.

Why & where is the pest bird on the building?

Before installing pigeon spikes learn what is attracting them to the site. Are the pigeons just stopping by to rest or are they nesting on the ledge? If the pest bird is nesting at the site bird spikes will not work because the pigeons/gulls will fight to get back to their home. In nesting situations bird control netting or Bird Shock should be installed. If the pest birds are just stopping by to rest or check out food and water in the area then pigeon spikes should be ok to install. Other factors that should be considered are if the area is protected from the elements and the pest birds might pick it as a nesting site. Good nesting sites are under eves or semi enclosed areas that ideally should be netted with with Bird Net.

 

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geese problems on grass & lawns, stop geese from damaging lawns

Geese Problems on grass and lawns -
When geese are eating or damaging turf, apply Migrate Taste Deterrent to the grass in grazing areas to make the grass unpalatable to geese without hurting them. In addition, pairs of Dead Geese Decoys can be deployed on the problem area. From fences, or low hanging branches or bushes hang Holographic Owls, Scare Eye Balloons and strips of Mylar Tape and Repel Strips. Also install Away with Geese Land & Residental Based Unit & the Away with Geese Water Based Geese Deterrent near the problem area to disrupt the geese sleep pattern. Also a few Gull-Cat Bird Deterrenton your lawn will also help scare pesky geese. For large flocks of geese we recommend X-Trme Goose Problem Control Kit. Set the visual bird deterrents in and around the problem area. We also recommend adding a few Coyote Predator Decoys.

Solutions for geese damaging agriculture, wetlands, tailing ponds -
For larger areas of land experiencing geese problems, the same tactic of combining audio &visual bird deterrents should be deployed as they increase the birds fear and flight response to the perceived predator threat.

The Vineyards Bird Wailer and Wetlands Bird Wailer^TM audio bird deterrent system is highly effective at keeping birds away from large plots of land or water. The Bird Wailer is not a ‘scare’ system relying on loud noises, but instead, creates a "No Fly" zone of rotational, surround sound at normaldb’s making it uncomfortable for the birds to remain in the area. The Bird Wailer can cover up to 20 acres and is custom programmed for the geographic location with species-specific sound deterrents. The Zon Gun

A lightweight portable propane-fired cannon emits automatic thunderclaps that deter pest birds and other nuisance wildlife. The Zon Gun has long been used to keep geese away from parks, lakes, farms, oil spills. Another new product is the hand held Avian Dissuader, which is a humane bird scare device that moves pest birds with a laser. The Avian Dissuader is a great tool for proactively moving birds at dusk and dawn. It’s primarily used to deny targeted birds their desired roost. Forcing birds to a different overnight roost usually means that they go somewhere else to forage during the day. Also to deter flocks from the area flying a Flying Falcon Bird Deterrent over the area has been shown to be effective.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

 

 

Geese problem solutions using audio & visual geese deterrents

Canadian geese no longer migrate as frequently as they once did. Now we have ever-growing numbers of non-migratory geese taking up residence wherever they please. This includes ponds, parks, golf courses, rooftops, reservoirs and residential urban and suburban backyards which create annoyances for their human neighbors with their noise, aggression and droppings. However, the biggest threat is to airplane safety - consider the fate of the USAir flight that was forced to land in the Hudson River due to a bird strike.

Aside from their oversize droppings geese can also be very aggressive, sometimes resulting in injuries to humans or other animals, particularly if near their nesting site. The complaints from all sectors have increased exponentially owing to their protected status by both Federal and State agencies, which limits the ways to move these birds from a particular location.

Geese Problem Bird Deterrents

Geese problems on lake front properties

Established flocks of non-migratory Canada Geese can be difficult to deter so implementing a geese harrassment campaign should commence as soon as possible after they begin to frequent the area. The geese deterrent campaign should include a combination of Audio & Visual Bird Deterrents to make the threat of a potential predator more convincing to the geese. When practical regular movement of the bird scare deterrents increases the effectiveness.

Geese on Water front landscaping –
If you are experiencing a problem with geese entering your property from the water, the first line of defense should be visual deterrents anchored in the water. Dead Goose Decoys can be deployed in the water and on land to create the illusion that the area is not safe for other geese. FireFly Bird Diverters mounted on a post and floating life raft ramp up the feeling of potential threats in the bird scare campaign. Also place a Cat Decoy Scares Birds which a realistic looking cat with a  moving head and tail.
 A new product to add to the mix is “Away with Geese,” a solar powered bird deterrent that disrupts sleep patterns causing geese to move away quickly.   For reservoirs, wetlands, retention ponds and large bodies of water where geese are unwelcome, the Wetlands Bird Wailer can be adapted to float on the water or mounted on land.

To keep geese from coming ashore, visual bird deterrents like Holographic owls, FireFly Bird Diverters mounted on Whip Rods should be set up on the shoreline.  This will create a frightening and unwelcoming environment. Holographic Repel Strips and sections of Flash tape can also be tied to short stakes so that the visual products can move freely in the wind. Place a Cat Decoy Scares Birds near the shoreline to create the effect of a real cat moving around. Move the Cat Decoy Scares Birds every few days to increase effectiveness Another common waterfront deterrent is to build a small fence on the water’s edge to encourage the geese to move in to a different area off the lake. The fence can be constructed with stainless steel grid wire and posts; the fence only needs to be 2 to 3 feet high. Tie Holographic Repel Strips and mylar tape every 5’ to increase the effectiveness.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

Swimming Pool or Pool Deck Bird Problem Solutions and deterrents

Pest Bird Problems around swimming pools
Pest birds, including gulls, ducks, starling, crows and sparrows can cause health related problems in and around swimming pools do to the mess they leave from bird droppings. Birds are attracted to pools because it provides them drinking water and a place to bathe. Starlings, in particular often fly across the pool and deposit droppings and regurgitated food intended for their young.

Pest Bird Problems /  Solutions
To solve these pest bird problems we recommend using a combination of visual bird deterrents that typically affect avian vision. An inexpensive audio option using Cry of the Hawk CD will re-enforce the visual bird deterrents. A CD player is required. The Spray Away systems uses a 'surprise' water jet to further harass the birds.

Pest Birds in the pool or water
If the birds are swimming in the pool the “Spray Away’ or “Spray Away Elite” Systems have proven effective. The Spray Away system is a motion-activated bird deterrent that harmlessly blasts problem birds with water.  The Spray Away systems can spray a variety of shapes and sizes.

 When the Spray Away detects birds it will hit them with a blast of water. The height of the unit can be adjusted to the size of the wildlife you are trying to deter. The Spray Away system should be reinforced with visual and audio bird deterrents.

Birds on Pool Deck

Holographic Owl, Scare Eye Octopus, Firefly II, Repel Strips, Flash Tape.
We recommend deploying a combination of audio / visual bird deterrents at roosting areas around the pool area. If possible hang or mount in the flight path of the pest birds.

A network of Scare Eye Balloons floating in the water is another option to deter the pest birds swimming in the pool. Also if you have a diving board try hanging a holographic owl or an another bird deterrent.
For birds on the pool deck or patio furniture we recommend placing visual bird deterrents near the problem areas as well as in the flight path.  We recommend using visual deterrents such as the Holographic Owl, Scare Eye Octopus mounted on Whip Rods. The Whip Rod tends to sway with the wind, which adds to the bird’s fear of movement and predators. The Whip Rods can be adjusted to various heights to accommodate the surroundings.

Hang visual bird deterrents from the Whip Rods so that they are allowed to move freely in the wind.  The Whip Rod can be stabilized using a block of wood or other suitable base. Also place a Gull-Cat cat Bird Deterrent Scares Birds on a table top, patio furniture or on the deck. Move the Gull-Cat Decoy Scares Birds every few days to increase effectiveness.   Home and Garden Bird Deterrent Kit which includes visual bird deterrents and comes with the Whip Rods.

Controlling pest birds in flight
Modifying the flight path of pest birds over the swimming pool can be accomplished using Gridwire or mono-filament fishing line configured horizontally and kept aloft with helium balloons. Attaching a variety of lightweight visual deterrents such as the Holographic Owl, Scare Eye Octopus, Repel Strips or Flash Tape to the Scare Eye balloons and wire creates a 'bird fence' in the sky.

* Audio / Visual Bird Scare products are not always effective on their own, particularly against non-migratory birds like pigeons and sparrows or where birds may be roosting rather than simply hanging out. A combination of audio / visual products should be deployed and re-located as birds react. Results vary depending on protected roosting conditions, food /water source. Overnight nesting sites typically require exclusionary products – netting, electric etc. 

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop birds from hitting windows with decals & visual bird deterrents

Pest Birds striking windows
Millions of birds are killed, injured or stunned each year from colliding with glass window panels. There are ways to reduce or stop this problem once you understand why it is occurring. The most common types of birds to exhibit this behavior are robins, flickers and cardinals. Birds fly into windows for a variety of reasons some of them behavioral traits. This includes the understandable belief that the window is wide open so they fly full speed into it. This is similar to people walking into a sliding glass doors. Arguable if you could leave the window dirty it would reduce the likelihood of this happening.   

A very common instinctive behavioral traits for birds hitting windows occurs during the matting season during which time male birds are very territorial and when they see their reflection in the glass they think another bird is in their area so they go after it and try scare the other bird away and therefore strike the glass. Less common reasons for this behavior occurs when birds are disoriented from eating fermented berries or they’re sick.

How do you prevent birds from striking windows?
 In order to change the flickers, cardinals, robins, and other birds flight behavior you need to make sure the target window is visible to the birds to reduce the chance of a bird strike against the glass. Visual bird deterrents should be deployed on the windows and in some cases the ledge and surrounding areas.

 
Several bird control products are specially designed to help prevent bird window strikes: "Bird Alert for Windows". These bird deterrent decals help prevent birds from striking windows. Each Bird Alert decal has a special coating that reflects ultraviolet sunlight. This ultraviolet light is invisible to humans, but birds see it as a brilliant glow much like a stoplight. To the human eye, the decals appear as frosted or etched glass. Bird Alert decals are designed to be placed on the OUTSIDE of a window. Bird Alert decals can be applied to windows of homes or offices.

 
If you have a problem with Cardinal's sitting on windowsills looking at their reflection and continually pecking at the glass, apply a long Cardinal Alert Decal along the bottom of a window. The bird deterrent decal obstructs the Cardinal's reflection and forces the bird to move on. Use in conjunction with the Bird Alert Decals. In extreme cases 'bird friendly' Birdwire or BirdCoil can be used.

 
For large windows use BirdAlert UV Liquid to fill in the gaps between Bird Alert decals on windows-providing complete window protection. Bird Alert UV Liquid can also be used by people who prefer not to put stickers on their window panels. The liquid bird deterrent is easy to apply and lasts for up to 3 months and can be removed if desired

 
Other Visual products - Some birds appear to be on a suicide mission and will often ignore the Bird Alert decals. To further deter we recommend deploying a variety of proven visual bird deterrents at the problem areas. The Holographic Owl and Holographic Repel Strips, Scare Eye Octopus Bird Device and Firefly II provide a larger target to modify the bird's flight path. Ideally you should hang the deterrents out and away from the house so that they can freely move in the wind. The Swivel Bracket is inconspicuous, provides projection away from the window and refracts an array of colors affecting avian vision. For bad problems mount a Gull-Cat Bird Deterrent near the window. Birds will see a moving realistic looking cat and fly the other way.

* Audio / Visual Bird Scare products are not always effective on their own, particularly against non-migratory birds like pigeons and sparrows or where birds may be roosting rather than simply hanging out. A combination of audio / visual products should be deployed and re-located as birds react. Results vary depending on protected roosting conditions, food /water source. Overnight nesting sites typically require exclusionary products – netting, electric etc. 

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222