To some homeowners, birds are beautiful guests who bring life to their gardens. However, you don’t want to draw flocks of birds to your property because some of their behaviors can be destructive. They’re fond of nesting in and around our homes, all while damaging outdoor furniture, structural materials and wiring.
In addition, they can make a mess, digging up lawns and tearing up flowerbeds in search of food. Excessive bird waste can also cause a nitrogen imbalance in the soil, hampering vegetation growth in your garden. Not to mention, bird droppings are corrosive, damaging your roof and car. While they’re pleasant to hear and look at, birds can be as annoying as pests like ground moles, mice and skunks.
If you have more birds on your property than you’re comfortable with, bird control specialists can help you manage their population. They will find what’s drawing the birds to your home and provide long-term solutions to deter them.
Why Are There So Many Birds in My Yard? Here’s What’s Attracting Them
Birds in your yard aren’t necessarily a problem. They can make themselves useful by removing weeds and pests from your lawn. However, they become an issue when they flock and nest in or around your home. If you’re dealing with this problem, your home is attractive to them because of shelter, food, water and nesting materials. If you’re hoping winter will drive these birds away, they’re not all migratory, and some will stay in your yard to hunker down.
Even if non-migratory birds have dense winter plumage to help them survive lower temperatures, they still need places to rest from the wind. They might build winter nests on your property, constructing them with more insulation materials than usual. These birds might use the stuffing inside your outdoor lounge chair cushions as added padding for their nests.
They usually place their winter nests in spots with existing cover, bringing them closer to your house. They might even break into your attic, garage, shed, pipes and vents.
Food is another reason birds are in your yard. They forage lawns for seeds, bugs and weed bulbs, digging up unsightly holes. During the winter, when food is scarce, they make do with what they can find near homes, including stalks, nuts and garbage.
Some bird species help each other survive harsh winters, which can also explain the flocking on your property. They will huddle to stay warm, forage in groups and alert others when they’ve scored food.
It can be hard to prevent birds from flocking and nesting on your property. However, there are ways to make your yard less inviting to them, including the following.
Block Off Possible Nesting Sites
Birds are less likely to stay on your property if they can’t find suitable nesting spots. It helps to trim plants, bushes and trees and clear foliage. In addition, block off any nooks and crannies around your home they could use for their nests. You should inspect your property for hidden areas you have missed.
Bird netting is an effective method to keep birds from nesting on your property, although installation can be tricky. A bird control specialist can install it and provide regular maintenance. Bird spikes are another alternative measure to keep birds away. While they may look scary, they don’t harm birds and only prevent them from perching. You can install them on ledges, railings and other nesting sites.
Remove Food Sources
If you don’t want birds coming to your property for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you must eliminate their food sources. You can start by regularly de-weeding your lawn and controlling the pest populations on your property. A pest control specialist can help you with that. In addition, birds are scavengers, so keep your garbage cans and compost bins tightly sealed.
If you have furry loved ones and feed them outside, clean up after them immediately after eating. That way, you leave no food scraps for birds to feast on. Better yet, feed your pets inside your home. Crows, in particular, love pet food.
Use Scare Tactics
Wind chimes made of shiny materials are unpleasant to birds because of their sound and movements. Birds are not fond of holographic scare tape, either. Placing these around your property may help deter them. However, birds are intelligent creatures and will eventually get used to these scare tactics.
You can also install motion-activated sprinklers and lights to try to scare birds away. Turn them on at different times to keep the element of surprise.
Get Professional Help
If bird spikes and wind chimes don’t work, it’s time to contact pest control specialists. They will put long-term solutions in place to manage the bird population on your property and prevent them from nesting on and around your home. They can also help with other pest issues, like deterring various types of mosquitoes.
What Are the Most Common Birds in Texas?
If birds love coming to your property, it’s a good time to get to know your visitors. Here are some of the common birds in Texas and their distinct traits.
Northern Mockingbird
The northern mockingbird, pictured above, isn’t just one of the most common birds in Texas; it is the state bird. You can identify northern mockingbirds by their long tails, short bills and white and gray plumage. These vocal birds aren’t shy to speak their mind or bust out a tune. They sing various phrases and copy other birds.
They love feasting on berries and insects and forage in open grassy areas. You might see these energetic birds catching insects flying above the ground. In the winter, you might spot them hanging out on bushes and chowing down on berries.
Great-Tailed Grackle
Great-tailed grackles, pictured above, know how to push people’s buttons. These bold and large birds aren’t scared to snatch food from an unguarded plate on your patio. They might even follow you as you mow the lawn, hoping to catch a bug or two. They’re also loud, much to the annoyance of sleeping residents. They chatter, screech, whistle and imitate the sound of ripping paper.
Male grackles are black and glossy with yellow eyes and a long tail, while females are more brownish. You might see them alone during the day, but they flock to roost in massive groups at night.
House Sparrow
House sparrows, pictured above, have evolved to live closely with humans, able to digest the same grains we consume. They usually come in pairs or groups, foraging in parking lots, sidewalks and other familiar areas. They are regulars at bird feeders and aren’t afraid to dominate smaller species.
These ubiquitous birds are small and plump, sporting brown and gray plumage and conical beaks. They are a vocal species, often heard making short chirping calls.
Northern Cardinal
Northern cardinals, pictured above, are eye-catching birds with bright red plumage, large beaks and puffy chests. Thanks to their short and rounded wings, they bob up and down in the air while in flight. These songbirds know how to carry a tune and are often heard whistling crisp, repeated notes.
Northern cardinals love feasting on insects, seeds and some fruits, foraging for their next meal on and near the ground.
What Color Do Birds Hate?
From choosing the ripest berries to discovering the perfect mate, birds rely heavily on their ability to see colors. Homeowners can use this to their advantage. If you want to keep birds away from your yard, the color white might be the secret. Birds avoid bright and dull white objects at all costs, associating the color with danger. Some species even use the white in their plumage to warn other birds to stay away.
Aside from using white paint and objects to deter birds, there are other ways to keep them from flocking and nesting on your property. You can install bird netting, bird spikes and motion-activated lights or sprinklers. However, the most effective solution is to contact bird control specialists. They can implement long-term solutions to manage the bird population on your property.
Call in the Pros for Your Pest Problems
Why are there so many birds in my yard? If you have this question and birds are stressing you out, get professional help to restore the peace on your property. Pest control specialists have the tools and expertise to keep birds in check. They can also deal with other pests like red fire ants, opossums and bed bugs.
Trust ABC for Bird Control
ABC Home & Commercial Services has been helping homeowners control pests for over 75 years. As the largest independently-owned pest control company in the state of Texas, our pest control technicians have the experience and the know-how to quickly identify the source of your pest problem and come up with effective solutions. We’re always here to help if and when those pesky birds decide to make a home out of yours.
