How to Keep Birds Away From a Patio

Sitting on the patio and listening to the birds sing their soothing songs can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. But when our feathered friends get too close, they can quickly become a nuisance. No one wants to clean up after birds or deal with excessive noise. And some birds may decide that your patio, or another area of your house, is the perfect place to build their nests. So how can you keep them away?

Tips for Keeping Birds Off Your Patio and Away From Your Home

Although you can’t prevent flying creatures from visiting your property, you can stop birds from nesting or disrupting your family’s lifestyle. The following tips can help you enjoy a bird-free outdoor living space:

• Imitation and real predators: The sight of a predator decoy such as an authentic-looking coyote, owl, falcon, or hawk can be enough to frighten nuisance birds away. A patrolling cat offers an even more effective solution.
• Wind chimes: Hanging a set of chimes can deter birds from nesting on or near your patio, as long as there’s enough wind to cause them to ring.
• Relocate baths and feeders: Making the area less inviting is another reliable way to keep birds from nesting on your patio. Placing feeders and baths at least 25-30 feet away from your house gives them plenty of distance and makes it less likely they’ll approach your outdoor living space.
• Block nesting areas: Birds seek small holes and crevices in a home’s exterior to build their nests. If you’re unable to fill in these areas, cover them with netting or wire mesh to prevent access.
• Apply bird repellent: Spray a homemade repellent that contains no harsh chemicals and is safe to use around people and animals. A concoction consisting of crushed chili peppers, vinegar, and water can keep birds from nesting in targeted locations. Baking soda is another effective yet harmless deterrent.
• Shiny objects: Light reflecting off dangling objects such as aluminum foil or pie pans, tin cans, old compact discs, and mirrors discourages birds from visiting a patio or other area.
• Bird spikes: Spikes made from plastic or tin provide an uncomfortable landing area for birds. Attach these items to their favorite spots, like windowsills and roof overhangs, to keep them away.
• Cover exterior lighting: The flat surface on top of outdoor lighting fixtures is another favorite bird nesting area. Placing a small, rough object will prevent birds from landing there.
• Enclose your patio: Enclosing your outdoor patio is another option for keeping birds, insects, squirrels, and other animals away. It can also protect against the elements and allow you to spend more time outdoors throughout the year.

Shading Texas Can Meet Your Patio Enclosure Needs

If you decide that building a patio enclosure is the best solution when deterring birds from nesting on your property, Shading Texas can help. We can design and construct a custom retractable deck screen that will provide year-round patio protection. Contact us for a free estimate today.