🐦 How to Stop Birds Pooping on Your Deck – 6 Proven Tips
Many homeowners wish to extend their living space with a deck or patio. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to relax outside with friends and family. However, bird poop can turn your dream into a nightmare, causing unpleasant smells and damage to your deck.
To avoid this frustration, we’ve gathered some tips on how to keep away birds from pooping on your deck. Bird poop is a costly problem for wooden deck owners. Sure, you can (and need to) clean your decks – but there are ways to deter birds from your decks and patios.
Here are some simple and effective solutions:
-
Maintain a Spotless Deck
Birds find an untidy deck or patio quite appealing, often attracted to leftover food or other debris. Ensure to regularly remove all food traces, especially after social gatherings. Check for any potential bird entry points such as cracks or holes in your deck’s siding and fix them promptly. Keeping your deck clean and well-maintained is a key step in bird control and prevention.
-
Install Reflective Items: Mirrors and Aluminum Foil Strips
A budget-friendly bird deterrent involves hanging mirrors or aluminum foil strips around your deck. Birds are often put off by shiny objects and their own reflections. The fluttering and light reflection from these materials can deter birds from landing, thereby protecting your deck from bird droppings. Whilst ugly as sin to some 🙂 it really is the most cost effective solution and useful means to make use of old scratched up cds and dvds.
-
Set Up a Wind Chime or Ultrasonic Bird Repellent Device
If you notice frequent bird visits to your deck, consider hanging wind chimes near their preferred nesting spots. The sound produced may scare them off over time. Similarly, an ultrasonic bird repellent device, which emits high-pitched sounds, can effectively scare away birds. These deterrents combine movement, light reflection, and noise to ward off birds effectively.
-
Implement Bird Spikes on Your Deck
Bird spikes installed on deck railings, roofs, awnings, or any bird-favorite spots can make landing uncomfortable for them. The upward-pointing spikes on these strips prevent birds from roosting, helping to keep your deck clean and free from bird droppings. We prefer to use these along the roof structure inside Alfresco areas across Victoria or possibly along roof lines of homes to protect courtyard decking areas from getting pooped on. These can be purchased from ebay, Amazon or from your local bunnings store. They are easy enough to install, simply need the spike stripes themselves, a drill and some screws to fasten them.
🥇Pro tip: Stainless steel spikes last longer and blend in better visually than plastic.
-
Introduce a Plastic Predator Bird Replica
A plastic owl or hawk replica placed strategically on your roof, deck railing, or nearby tree can scare off smaller birds. The presence of this predator can deter birds from approaching your deck, thereby minimizing bird mess.
🧾 Comparison Table: Best Bird Deterrents for Decks
| Method | Effectiveness | Cost | Visibility | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bird Spikes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Low | None |
| Reflective Strips | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low | Medium | Replace every 3 months |
| Plastic Owl Decoys | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low | Low | Move weekly |
| Wind Chimes | ⭐⭐ | Low | Low | None |
| Citrus Oil Cotton | ⭐⭐ | Low | None | Weekly refresh |
❓ FAQ – How to Keep Birds Off Your Deck
How do I stop birds from pooping on my deck in Australia?
Use a combination of bird spikes, reflective materials, and scents birds dislike like citrus or peppermint. Removing food and water sources is also key.
What’s the best bird deterrent for timber decking?
Bird spikes work best if you have defined perching points. Otherwise, visual deterrents like reflective tape or a rotating owl decoy are low-maintenance options.
Does vinegar stop birds from pooping?
Not reliably. While some claim it deters birds, it can damage timber coatings and rarely offers long-term results.
In conclusion, employing one or more of these methods can deter birds from soiling your deck, patio, or veranda, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space without the annoyance of bird mess. For any queries or concerns about maintaining a bird-free and clean deck, feel free to contact us for an inspection.
If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your deck clean and well-maintained or simply wanting to use a decking stain applicator, please contact us for the inspection and or quotation.
Deck Rejuvenation Pty Ltd Team