Nobody likes to deal with bird poop; it looks gross and potentially hazardous to your house. So you may be asking yourself, “How to stop birds from pooping on my patio?” Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to keep birds from pooping on your patio and make sure your outdoor space remains clean and inviting.

It’s not uncommon for birds to be attracted to your patio for a few reasons: food, water, and safety. Once attracted to an area, they will leave behind messes. That’s what we’re here to deal with.

 

Why birds poop on your patio

Before we talk about how to keep birds away from your patio, it is essential to know why they are attracted to your outdoor space in the first place. There are a few reasons why birds might be drawn to your patio:

  1. It is a safe place: birds are attracted to areas that offer them a sense of safety. If your patio is quiet and secluded, it is an excellent place for a bird to eat and rest.
  2. It has many food sources: many plants and flowers attract birds because of the insects and critters that live in them. The seed in bird feeders can attract them to it as well.
  3. It is a good water source: birds may be drawn to the water source if you have a water feature or bird bath on your patio.

In addition to these three reasons, birds may be drawn to any bright colors or fabrics used in your patio decor. However, this should not be a reason to avoid any colors in your decorating. Different types of birds are attracted to different colors because the specific color is associated with food.

The bottom line is that what makes your patio enjoyable for you is what attracts the birds in the first place. Therefore, one of the first approaches to deter birds pooping on your deck is to make the area less attractive to them – you can do this by finding creative ways to keep the birds away without sacrificing your enjoyment of the space.

 

Health Hazards of Bird Poop

Although your local birds are not likely carriers of the avian flu, bird droppings can still be a significant source of infection. If not quickly and adequately removed, bird poop can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can spread serious diseases like E. coli, salmonella, and candidiasis.

Coming in contact with it can potentially result in various health issues, ranging from skin irritation to infections. It can even trigger allergies and asthma attacks for those susceptible to them. People with weakened immunity, such as children, pregnant people, and the elderly, are especially vulnerable to the health hazards associated with bird droppings.

It is also possible for external parasites to become a problem when infested birds roost or nest on your patio. This is another primary reason why getting the birds to leave your deck is important – even after they leave, it could take up to several weeks for the parasites to die off completely.

Related: The House Cleaning Supplies Checklist (You Must Have These)

 

How to clean up bird droppings

If you already have a bird poop problem, it is essential first safely to clean up any existing droppings. Do this before implementing more measures to keep birds from pooping on your patio. You can follow these steps to clean bird poop off your deck safely:

  1. Wear gloves to protect your hands from any bacteria. 
  2. Use a shovel or a broom to scoop up as much of the bird poop as possible.
  3. Rinse off your patio with water to remove any remaining debris. 
  4. Mix a solution of warm water and dish soap. 
  5. Using a sponge or scrub brush, clean the area with soap. 
  6. Rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove all the soap residue. 
  7. Dispose of the gloves and cleaning tools in a covered trashcan to prevent the spread of bacteria. 
  8. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the poop and cleaning the area.

Related: 20 Must Have Tools For Homeowners

 

How to deter birds from pooping on your deck

You must make it less attractive to keep birds from pooping on your patio. You can do this by installing physical barriers, visual and audio deterrents, removing food and water sources, and regularly cleaning the area.

Related: Method Cleaning Products Review: Are they a good brand?

 

  1. Install Physical Barriers

One way to keep birds from pooping on everything is to use physical barriers to block the birds from accessing the area. Several types of physical barriers can be used:

  • Bird netting is a reasonably cheap and effective way to keep birds out. You can use netting to cover plants, shrubs, or other areas where birds might look to perch. For example, if you have a patio covering, you could hang a screen or netting, preventing birds from flying onto your porch. There is also the added benefit of blocking some flying bugs out, making your covered patio a little more enjoyable.
  • Plastic sheeting or protective covers can be used to cover your outdoor furniture. The covers would protect your patio furniture from any damage when not in use and prevent birds from landing and pooping on them.
  • Bird spikes or sloped surfaces can make it more difficult for birds to land and perch on anything. These can be installed on ledges, beams, or other surfaces to prevent the birds from roosting or perching.
  • Wire mesh can block off areas that birds might nest or roost in.

If you install some physical barrier on your porch, ensure it is securely attached so birds cannot knock it over or fly through it.

Adding an awning or patio cover would give you and your family a much-needed respite from the sun and rain. It can also create a spot for the birds to land and rest without interfering with your enjoyment of the area.

 

  1. Use Visual Deterrents

Using visual deterrents to keep birds away from your porch can be effective. This is because birds are easily startled by sudden movements or unfamiliar objects. As a result, they may avoid areas where these types of stimuli are present: reflective objects, decoys, moving objects, or color.

First, reflective objects can effectively keep birds away, thanks to the visual disturbance they create. The quick flash or reflection can make the entire area feel scary and unsafe to the birds. Hanging up a few small mirrors or reflective bird diverters should be enough to deter them from landing.

Alternatively, you could opt for shiny pinwheels, reflective tape, shiny balloons, or shimmering disks to create a reflective disturbance.

Using decoys of predator birds, such as owls or hawks, can deter birds from stopping by. The predator decoys effectively deter birds, especially small ones, because they do not want to deal with bigger ones. You could also use rubber snakes as a deterrent since many birds hate them.

If you have a pool nearby, you could place a few floating pool predators in the water. Or you could put a few realistic rubber snakes on your patio to scare birds away from the area.

Moving the hawk, owl decoy, or rubber snake around occasionally is essential so the birds do not become too used to it. These fake predators are often a simple yet effective solution. Especially if the birds do not see they are fake.

 

  1. Use Audio Deterrents

Audio deterrents can effectively keep birds away from your front porch or deck. This is because birds rely on their sense of hearing to communicate, navigate, and detect predators.

For example, you could play sounds that mimic the distress calls of the same bird species or the sounds of a predator bird (1). This creates an unpleasant or threatening environment that scares birds.

These sounds can be played through speakers or recordings and can be used on a continuous or intermittent basis.

If you do not want to hear chirping or predator noises, installing an ultrasonic sound system might be an effective solution. It emits high-frequency sounds that they can hear, but you cannot. Or you could also try to hang wind chimes around your home or wherever you notice birds frequent. This sound could startle the birds and eventually teach them to avoid the area altogether.

If you choose to employ audio deterrents, you must ensure they are rotated or changed frequently to remain effective. They can become accustomed to the same sounds over time. You also might want to consider the potential impact that it might have on other animals, neighbors, or even you, as it could be disruptive and annoying.

 

  1. Remove Food & Water Sources

Removing food or water sources from your porch can be an effective way to prevent birds from coming. Birds are attracted to various foods, so it is important to eliminate any food sources that may attract them to the area.

This may include removing bird feeders, cleaning up spilled seeds or fruit, trimming back tree branches or bushes, and ensuring your trash cans are sealed to prevent scavenging. In addition to food, birds are attracted to water sources, like fountains, bird baths, or ponds. Therefore, you should remove or cover these water sources to help reduce the number of birds in the area.  

 

  1. Regularly Clean

Cleaning up bird droppings regularly is essential because it can eliminate potential food sources and discourage birds from returning. And as mentioned previously, bird poop can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that could be transmitted to humans and pets, so removing them as soon as possible is important.

It also can make your patio look messy and unappealing. However, regularly cleaning up the droppings can keep your patio looking its best and discourage birds from returning to the area.

While these methods can effectively reduce the number of birds in the area, they may not eliminate the problem. You will probably need to use a combination of these methods. You need to regularly clean up any droppings to discourage birds from returning. However, this is the best way to keep birds away and allow you to enjoy your outdoor space.

Related: How to Clean Your House in 2 Hours

 

How to stop birds from pooping on my patio FAQ

 

What smells will keep birds away?

Chili peppers, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, and essential oils, like peppermint oil, citrus oil, and lemon oil, are smells that can help deter birds (2). In addition, these strong scents can irritate the birds, helping to keep birds away from some outdoor areas.

 

How do I stop birds from pooping on everything?

You can take several steps to prevent birds from pooping on your property or belongings: install physical barriers, use visual deterrents, use audio deterrents, remove any food or water sources, and regularly clean up any poop. It is usually a combination of deterrents to make your patio less desirable for feathered visitors.

 

Conclusion

Your patio should be a paradise for you, not the birds. Unfortunately, they can be a nuisance if they are assembling and roosting on your porch. They leave behind droppings that can create a mess and pose a health risk. The key to addressing this problem is to use a combination of deterrents to make it less desirable for them to drop by.

You can find creative ways to keep the birds away without compromising your own enjoyment of the space. Depending on your budget and aesthetics preferences, this could include covering your patio furniture, putting out a predator decoy, or even hanging wind chimes to startle the birds away.

Or you could try using bird repellents, such as sound devices or bird spikes. If you have a bird feeder or a fountain near your patio, removing or moving them from the area is important as it can attract birds.  

In addition to these measures, it is essential to clean up any droppings and sanitize the area regularly. This discourages birds from returning and reduces the risk of transmission of harmful bacteria and parasites. By following these steps, you should be able to keep your porch clean and free of droppings so you can enjoy your outdoor space.

 

Sources
(1) – https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/Animal_distress_calls
(2) – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-are-essential-oils

The post How To Stop Birds From Pooping On My Patio: Answers Within! appeared first on Millennial Homeowner.