Birds such as pigeons, magpies, sparrows, or other types can be very annoying if they nest on the roof of your house. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep these birds off your roof and prevent them from coming back.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Installing the Repellent
Step 1. Place a predator dummy to scare the birds away
Birds have multiple senses to keep them out of harm's way. Taking advantage of this ability, you can put an imitation of a bird's natural predator on the roof and repel these small nuisance birds. Try looking for this mock-up at a garden or farm supply store:
- Owl imitation, suitable for pigeons, crows, gulls and sparrows.
- The crow imitation is suitable for magpies, and other small birds.
- The eagle imitation is suitable for pigeons, turtledoves, and songbirds.
Step 2. Play sounds made by predatory animals to repel birds
Similar to predatory statues, you can scare birds away on the roof by using a loudspeaker system and recordings of predators' voices and warning sounds that birds make. Find a sound recording that matches the type of bird you want to expel.
Step 3. Sound the ultrasonic frequency if you want to drive away birds quietly
If you don't want to disturb your neighbors, try getting an ultrasonic repellent. This device plays annoying high-frequency sounds and repels birds without affecting humans. This device is specially designed for dogs, cats and other pets.
Look for sound recordings of bird repellents from pest control companies
Step 4. Place electric pads at the bird's perch points so it doesn't land there
If birds aren't distracted by predatory sculptures or voice recordings, try attaching high-voltage pads specially designed for birds where they usually perch. Even if the bird is not perched exactly at the mounting point, the electric shock will keep the bird away from the area.
- These strips are specially manufactured by a pest control company.
- The electric shock generated by these pads is not enough to hurt birds
Method 2 of 3: Repel Birds in Their Perches
Step 1. Install the bird's nails in a place that is often perched
These bird spikes are small, thin rods that rise to the sky and are usually made of plastic or steel. These spikes won't hurt birds, but they can drive them out of their place. Bird spikes are quite effective in protecting vulnerable areas such as gutters and balustrades.
Bird's nails are a fairly popular antidote and can be purchased at garden or home supply stores
Step 2. Place the bird spider on the roof to get rid of the bird's landing spot
Bird spiders, also known as 360 rods, are devices made up of a series of long, drooping rods attached to a central hub to prevent birds from perching. These stems are very thin and fan wide enough that birds cannot land.
Bird spiders are commonly used on boats so try looking at a boat supply store or pest control supply store
Step 3. Cover the shingles and tiles with an antidote gel
You can buy this gel at pest control stores and home supply stores. Bird repellent gel is an invisible repellent and is applied like hot glue. This gel makes tiles and shingles sticky, making it uncomfortable for birds to swallow and repelling them.
- Reapply this gel every 6-8 months.
- Read the gel warning label to see if this product is harmful to other animals.
Step 4. Spread the net over the roof so that birds can't catch it
If you're dealing with a flock of birds, individual repellents may not be enough. So, buy a roll of long netting from a garden or pest control store. If spread across the roof, the netting will prevent birds from landing comfortably and so they are reluctant to perch there.
- Each net purchased will have a different installation method so read the manual carefully.
- If the net doesn't cover the entire roof, spread it in an important area, such as over a fireplace pit.
Method 3 of 3: Ruling Out Other Causes
Step 1. Remove any nesting areas around the roof
Often birds stay in one area because that is where they make their nests. These nests may be built traditionally using twigs, mud, and other objects, or the nesting area may be a place to seek shelter and warmth. To repel birds, you need to find the nest and remove or block the area so that it can no longer be entered.
Before removing a nest, check your city's animal conservation laws. For example, in the United States, a bird's nest should not be removed if it has eggs or chicks
Step 2. Remove intentional or unintentional food sources that cause birds to stay on the roof
In many cases, birds stay in certain areas because they have many food sources. This source can be intentional, for example when people give out breadcrumbs, or unintentionally, for example if people throw away leftover bread or don't close the trash can. Until you get rid of this food source, the birds won't want to leave.
Step 3. Spray plants near the roof with methyl anthranilate to repel birds
Methyl anthranilate is an environmentally friendly product that when applied to plants will make birds taste and smell bad. So, buy this product at a pest control or garden store, and put it in a spray bottle if needed. After that, spray on the plants.
- After the first use, birds should no longer roam the area as the majority of their food sources have been lost.
- Some brands of methyl anthranilate are manufactured specifically to ward off geese.
- Methyl anthranilate does not make food taste bad to humans.
Step 4. Traps the bird if it keeps coming back
If the bird keeps coming back despite your best efforts to get rid of it, try trapping it and moving it directly to the forest or sanctuary. Before setting the trap, prepare bread, berries, or similar food for the next few days to attract birds to take the bait. Then, drop the food of your choice into one of the following traps and wait for one to be caught:
- A bob trap, the bird will pass through a door which then closes behind it.
- Funnel traps, birds will walk through large openings that taper at the end and prevent birds from escaping.
