By: Rebecca Volken | Published 11:53 AM, January 13, 2021

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Bird watching is a fascinating hobby in parks, walking trails, and even in your yard. However, after spending hours planting seeds and cultivating plants, it can be devastating to see the birds help themselves to enjoy the delicacies you have worked so hard to grow. They can literally ruin the fruits of your labor.

Bird deterrents can prevent these backyard visitors from eating ripe fruits and seeds in the garden. There are various types on the market. Check out this guide to learn about these types and explore some of the best bird deterrent options available.

The three main bird deterrents are most commonly used to drive birds out of gardens and other property areas, including spikes, rods, and fake owls. Each type of deterrence has its pros and cons.

A spiked deterrent, as the name suggests, is a literal spike attached to a transparent plastic or metal strip. These points are made of metal or plastic and vary in number and length, depending on the product selected. Spiked deterrents are usually used to deter birds such as pigeons, sparrows, starlings, crows, blackbirds, mynas and swallows.

However, spiked deterrents are not always a popular choice because many gardeners consider them cruel. In fact, the birds were not actually hurt by the spikes. They don’t have to land on the spikes and don’t want to perch on them; instead, the birds see the spikes before landing and avoid them altogether.

Suspended deterrents are usually made of metal or plastic and have reflective surfaces that confuse birds when they approach an area. Since it is impossible to determine where to land, birds usually avoid the area completely.

These deterrents are similar to shiny Christmas ornaments and can also be used as decorative elements in the yard. They usually only deter smaller birds, such as pigeons, sparrows, starlings, crows, blackbirds, mynahs, and swallows.

The function of the deterrent is similar to that of a scarecrow, its design is similar to an owl or an eagle, and it can even scare away larger birds. They are usually made of weather-resistant plastics, so their service life is not as good as deterrents made of metal. Just like the suspension model, these raptor decoys look better compared to spikes.

Some of the more realistic decoys will have their eyes glowing, their heads will rotate, or they will make noises when movement is detected nearby. These additional functions require batteries, and the price will naturally be higher.

Once you have identified a type and become familiar with the birds in your yard, consider the effectiveness of deterrence, life expectancy, and installation.

Not all deterrents are the same, and they are not effective for every type of bird. Spend a week or two watching the birds in the garden, and then investigate which deterrent is best for these particular birds. In general, the deterrence of small birds may be effective for almost all small birds, and the deterrence of large birds is usually effective for every large bird.

Rod deterrents are generally harmless to birds; however, if manufacturers use stickers to create their shine or sparkle, they may peel off over time. Birds or other small animals can find these stickers and eat them. Pay attention to these issues and proactively replace or remove them when parts or the entire product are no longer safe.

When buying a bird repellent, please investigate how long the product is said to last. As outdoor products, they will experience wear and tear even in temperate climates. Weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, and sun will slowly weaken deterrence.

If you live in a harsher, colder climate and often encounter blizzards, please consider investing in a stronger deterrent. Metal nails and rods usually last longer than plastic, but they may be a more important upfront investment. Fake owls are usually made of plastic, and if they have moving parts or lights, they may malfunction and require maintenance or replacement.

In general, the use and installation of bird deterrents are simple, although some require more effort to set up.

Birds are beautiful, but if they eat berries on bushes or pecking tomatoes on plants, they can become very annoying. The top choices include the types of bird deterrents discussed in this guide and various precautions to keep in mind when shopping. Read on to discover some of the best bird deterrents on the market to protect your garden and property.

This Bird-X spike deterrent can deter smaller birds (such as pigeons and sparrows) and larger climbers (such as squirrels). A pack of 2 feet long strips provides 10 feet of coverage, and the spikes are 4.3 inches long. These nails are made of stainless steel and can be used for several years without maintenance.

The strap is attached to a flexible base, allowing installation on round or uneven surfaces. Use the pre-drilled holes on the base, adhesive, or fix it with a cable tie to install the deterrent.

For less expensive spike deterrents, please consider these Bird B Gone strips. Each 1-foot section has 4.3 inches of studs, and each pack provides 10 feet of total coverage. The all-metal structure has anti-ultraviolet function and is not affected by bad weather.

Each Bird B Gone strip has a breakpoint, so you can customize the length to meet your needs. These straps are pre-drilled with holes for installation, but users can also use glue or cable ties to fix them.

If you are trying to keep sparrows, seagulls, or other birds away from your property, these anti-discs can do the job and add a little bit of light. The plastic disc is non-toxic and can reflect sunlight and confuse the birds flying nearby.

The complete bird deterrent package includes eight 11-inch discs, 24 connecting rings, eight rotating parts and eight hooks. Mount the discs on low hanging branches or attach them to poles and add a little decoration to your outdoor space.

These two fake owls that came to Pride helped deter larger prey, such as eagles. 10.5 inches tall, 5.2 inches wide, and weighing less than a pound, the highly detailed paintings on these deterrents add to their realistic appearance. They double as decorations, adding whimsical charm to the backyard.

There is a pre-drilled hole on the base for mounting on a pillar (not included) for improved visibility, or you can perch it on a balcony, porch, or railing to prevent annoying birds from entering your yard.

To repel small and large birds, consider using these heavy spike deterrents. These spikes are 4.7 inches long, which is longer than the spikes on the other strips. They are durable, made of durable stainless steel nails and a UV-resistant polycarbonate plastic base.

Each pack of 1 foot long strips provides 10 feet of coverage. The base has 360 degree flexibility and can be installed horizontally or vertically. These deterrents come with pre-drilled holes and glue grooves to make installation relatively easy.

Our first choice for the best bird deterrent is Bird-X Bird Spikes because of their flexible bases and spikes that prevent large birds from roosting and nesting. For bird deterrents that help reduce bird strikes, we also recommend De-Bird Repellent Disks.

These recommendations for optimal bird deterrence include a number of different options that have been shown to be effective in deterring birds from entering. We chose traditional spike belts, predator bait and reflective hangers to help reduce bird problems. These options are suitable for different kinds of birds, so the use of spikes can better deter large birds, and both small and large birds can be deterred with anti-discs.

We narrowed the scope of our research to choose products that are humane to birds while still effectively preventing unwelcome birds from visiting. Each item is also proven to work throughout the season because they are deliberately weatherproof, but strong winds can blow down most unanchored outdoor items. Our recommendation is to stay within the average price range of comparable products.

After understanding the types of bird deterrents and how they protect the birds that enter your property, you may still have some questions about bird deterrents and birds in general. Check out some of the most common questions and their corresponding answers below.

The best way to keep birds away from your garden or yard is to make it difficult for them to determine where they can fly and land. If they are not sure where and how to approach your property, they are more likely to avoid the area altogether.

Similar to mice and other pests, birds do not like the smell of peppermint oil and citronella oil.

If it is suspended so that it rotates and reflects light, the aluminum foil can serve as an effective deterrent for hanging birds.

Yes, fake owls tend to deter large birds, such as eagles and other owls, but they can also deter small birds.

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