Our feathered friends aren't always welcome.
Birds are known as our feathered friends, but they can also be a major nuisance. Birds can do incredible damage, especially to crops of small fruit, eating up to 30 percent of the fruit in a matter of days, according to Ohio State University. Several tactics work to scare birds away, one of which is noise repellents.
Types
A variety of bird repellents use noise to deter birds. Ultrasonic bird deterrents emit noises in frequencies that are not heard by humans but claim to be heard by and annoying to birds. Others include devices or recordings that mimic predatory hawks on the hunt and birds in distress. Propane cannons or pyrotechnics, which consist of special handgun or shotgun cartridges, are other options.
Considerations
Neighbors are a big consideration if you use a noisy bird repellent. Loud shotgun blasts, which the Ohio State University website says are highly ineffective, can be disruptive. The cannons and handgun shots, which Ohio State says do work, are also loud and can violate local noise ordinances. Electronic devices and recordings can be set at lower volumes, and humans cannot hear the ultrasonic devices at all.
Cost
Propane cannons and sound systems are the most expensive of the bunch. Cannons can cost around $400. Cannon features like a timer to have shots fired at timed intervals and a tripod for the unit cost at least an additional $150 each. Electronic sound systems, or sound boxes, can cost as much as $1,200 for a large system with two loudspeakers and around $250 for a smaller unit with a single built-in speaker. Ultrasonic devices are less costly, going for around $50. A box of 100 special gun cartridges cost about $50. All prices reflect retail in 2010.
Expert Insight
Pyrotechnics have been hugely effective at warding off birds around the Seattle Tacoma International Airport, according to an article on the CNN website. Airport wildlife biologist Steve Osmek uses the special shells in both pistols and handguns to keep birds away from the areas above the runways. He never aims the pyrotechnics directly at the birds but rather uses them to deter the birds to different areas.
Warning
Even though ultrasonic devices are inaudible to your neighbors and fairly inexpensive, they don't work for deterring birds, according to a University of Nebraska article. The article noted that several birds' hearing ranges are well below the ultrasonic frequencies. Even if some birds could hear the ultrasonic noise, they would probably not be deterred by a single, small unit, since ultrasonic frequencies cannot travel over long distances.
Related posts
The California quail or California valley quail has been the California state bird since 1931. A popular game bird, these quail sport distinctive head feathers and depictions of them have appeared...
The reality of bird-watching is that you always run the risk of never seeing a bird. Sometimes birds are so well camouflaged or the surroundings are so dense that you cannot ever pinpoint their ex...
Washington State Bird ListWashington State is a birdwatcher's delight. The Washington State bird checklist boasts 480 different species while Olympic National Park alone has more than 300 species...
Eastern bluebirdThe list of birds seen in the state of Arkansas contains about 400 species, according to the Arkansas Audubon Society, and more than 310 of these can be observed regularly, dependi...
A life-sized bird craft can bring a favorite bird inside to enjoy anytime.Certain birds have come to symbolize certain feelings---whether it is the joy of seeing the first robin of the spring, the...
