A flock of birds is pleasing to look at, but the mess they leave behind is not. Bird droppings are not only ugly to look at, they are also difficult to wash off your fence. Fortunately, there are ways to keep birds off your fence without harming them. These methods also save you the time and frustration of having to clean up after these fine-feathered creatures.

Place a strip of double-sided tape along the top of the fence. Pull the protective film from both sides of tape, and press it firmly against the top of each section of fence. Birds dislike sticky things between their toes, and the result is a reluctance to land on the fence.

  • A flock of birds is pleasing to look at, but the mess they leave behind is not.
  • Birds dislike sticky things between their toes, and the result is a reluctance to land on the fence.

Drill a vertical hole into the top of each fence post, and place an eye screw in each hole. Tie one end of a length of clear fishing line to the first bolt, and thread the line through each bolt, tying it once you reach the last bolt. Birds have a difficult time seeing the line and, after trying to negotiate it, choose to land elsewhere.

Wrap a strip of reflective tape every 6 inches along the length of the fishing line. Birds are frightened by bright flashes of colour, and the sun glinting off the reflective tape scares them away.

TIP

Check with your local county extension office before removing birds from your property. Many types of birds are protected species and moving them is against the law in some parts of the country.