Bird deterrent: effectively keep birds away from the balcony

Keeping birds away from the balcony is often easier than you think if the right tools and measures are used. We show how bird control is possible with little effort.

preventive measures

If tit, sparrow or Dove – Birds feel comfortable where they find an optimal environment. They therefore seek out places that meet one or more of the following conditions:

• accessible drinking water 
• food source
• suitable nesting sites
• Protection from predators
• security and tranquility

A rarely used balcony, on which there are seeds, fruit, vegetables or numerous insects and also a balcony pond, is therefore ideal. Almost irresistible are areas that offer hiding places through niches, holes and gaps or are even suitable for nest building.

This results in different preventive bird control measures:

1. Make nest sites unattractive or eliminate them: The suitable places are often only noticed when they are already being used by a bird. In these cases it is not allowed to leave the nests or even those already in them eggs to remove. However, during the winter, the niche can be filled up or closed off with a trellis.
2. Remove food and water: In apartment buildings there are always people who deliberately feed the birds on the balcony and set up bird baths. If these are positioned directly on the parapet, the bird droppings often end up on the balcony railings on the lower floors. A conversation and changing the water and food sources help here. Getting rid of them is even easier on your own balcony.
3. drive away insects: Insects are an important food source for many bird species. If these are replaced by tomato plants, basil, lavender and other aromatic plants are kept away, fewer birds stray onto the balcony.

offer alternatives

Birds perform important functions in the ecosystem and while bird droppings can be annoying, they are beneficial animals. Bird control is therefore not always useful.

It is better to offer them alternatives in the immediate vicinity. Birds no longer have a reason to seek out a balcony if they can find everything they need in other places.

If there are green strips or small green areas nearby, the following measures are recommended:

• Offer bird feeders or hang up fat balls
• hang up nest boxes
• Set up bird baths

A notice: When making offers, it is important to pay attention to safety. Cats and other animals potentially dangerous to birds should not have access to food or nesting boxes.

Change balcony use

A balcony that is frequently used by people is significantly less attractive to birds. The deterrent effect of human proximity and activity is used, for example, by setting up scarecrows.

However, a life-size figure does not have to be set up. It already helps to use the balcony more often and more clearly. These tips serve as inspiration:

• read or talk on the balcony
• leave the balcony door open
• whistle when watering and caring for the plants
• Eating meals on the balcony

Noises are not absolutely necessary. The movements on the balcony are usually enough.

If this is not the case, activity can be generated even without human presence. Suitable for this form of bird control are, among others:

• suspended mirrors
• colorful glass balls
• Ribbons blowing in the wind
• reflective metal spirals
• wind chimes

The combination of sounds, movement and colors or light reflections is too restless for most birds.

Tip: Again and again it is recommended to hang up old CDs. However, the decorative effect of the panes leaves a lot to be desired. A stylish wind chime or an artfully crafted metal spiral is therefore more appropriate.

Attach mechanical fuses

A bird net or a cat grid on the balcony keeps the animals safely away. To do this, however, the meshes must be so small that birds cannot slip through.

However, the written consent of the landlord is required for the attachment. The approval is often dependent on the optics or necessary structural changes.

A notice: Not allowed are in any case spikes. The pointed metal rods are intended to prevent birds from perching on the parapet, for example. However, they can seriously injure themselves and die miserably as a result.

Use deterrents

The trade offers some deterrents intended to keep birds away from the balcony. For example:

• fragrances
• ultrasonic devices
• bird dummies

The problem with these means and measures of bird control is that neither repellent scents nor ultrasonic devices work. However, the devices can annoy younger people and pets with good hearing.

Bird dummies often have an effect initially. However, some birds, realizing that they are not dangerous, visit the balcony anyway. This is especially true if you have already used it regularly.

Tip: For example, lamps or dummies with motion detectors that light up or make noises when there is activity on the balcony or the railing are more suitable for bird deterrence.

frequently asked Questions