grackle problem

[northernpike56]

Does anybody know how I can get these birds to stop hanging around my lawn? They poop EVERYWHERE.

Edited February 19, 2013 by northernpike56

[mike rousseau]

I've heard of people using human hair to discourage animals...

 

Not sure how well it works tho

[Handlebarz]

Put down Pete moss over tge seed it will help it grow faster by holding water and keep the seed hidden from the birds.

[Christopheraaron]

Sprinkler

[northernpike56]

pete moss is probably a good idea. And Richmond, I have the sprinkler going and it dosent work on the birds, only cats. I think I need to get out my nozzle attachment with the "jet spray" option.

Edited February 19, 2013 by northernpike56

[Pikeslayer]

Apparently, Grackles are notoriously attracted to BMWs. Suggest you get rid of it

[Grimace]

Hopefully you can muster up the courage and perseverance to stick it out through this very difficult time. We all know how horrifying it can be to witness grackles eating freshly laid grass seed. :P :P

 

 

Hang in there buddy.

[Broker]

Try using a fake owl that you can buy at homehardware/canadian tire. Basically just a plastic owl you can sit anywhere and the grackles are terrified of it here! Goodluck!

[chessy]

if you can take fishing line with flagging tape and string it across the yard it will work

[shane]

A rotating laser beam set a couple inches off the ground.

 

BTW. They are probably starlings. We get flocks of them in our yard too. Grackles are usually one or two at a time.

[mercman]

Hopefully you can muster up the courage and perseverance to stick it out through this very difficult time. We all know how horrifying it can be to witness grackles eating freshly laid grass seed.

 

 

Hang in there buddy.

 

 

Love ya man !!!!!

[mercman]

On a more serious note, you can get some fine mesh similar to what they use on a driving range, and suspend it from tent poles over the entire yard, until the grass starts to grow. Make sure that all birds and cats are off your proprty before laying the mesh in place, or you will have an awful mess to clean up.

 

You can thank me later

[Nipfisher]

Try using a fake owl that you can buy at homehardware/canadian tire. Basically just a plastic owl you can sit anywhere and the grackles are terrified of it here! Goodluck!

 

 

X2

 

You can buy those cheap pin-wheels from the dollar store and stick them in the ground, they work too. My neighbor hung some shiny "chinese lantern" type thing from a wire crossing his driveway. Apparently if it is in their flight path then they will not fly there. Looked stupid but his driveway and truck were no longer getting pooped on.

Also over-seed your yard. They won't eat it all and you will still end up with a nice lawn.

[tb4me]

add more cats..

[John]

Birds love sprinklers so you will probably attract more than you scare. As for fake owl's............I put one up a few years ago, it worked for a few days and then when they figured it out they used it as a pooping perch, it was completely white in a week. 60% peat moss, 40% top soil and rake the seed into it lightly and water it twice a day usually works. Buy good seed it pays off.

[dave524]

Last I checked grackles and starlings are both unprotected species, legally you can take them out by any means that is legal to be discharged in your neighbourhood.

[lew]

I had a woodpecker banging away on my satellite dish all yesterday afternoon....I guess woodpeckers aren't too bright....and no matter how many times I chased him away, he came back.

 

Finally I got the hose out and turned it on him and never saw him again.

[Gerritt]

I had a woodpecker banging away on my satellite dish all yesterday afternoon....I guess woodpeckers aren't too bright....and no matter how many times I chased him away, he came back.

 

Finally I got the hose out and turned it on him and never saw him again.

 

 

Having the same problem here.... nieghbour 2 doors down... everyday woody is there bashing away on their dish.... ugh

[aplumma]

You can cover with straw also it will keep the birds from the seed and might be cheaper. I use bottle rockets with report to get rid of the birds here. I am not sure if/how hard it is to get up North.

 

 

Art

[Carp]

Nothing a stick of dynamite can't cure........ooops, was I thinking out loud again ?

 

I like the idea of hosing them with a fast jet of water. Won't kill 'em, but you'll certainly deliver the message clearly.....and cleanly.

If that doesn't work, you'll find an air rifle is an amazing tool for preventing bird poop.

[Burtess]

Switch to State Farm..... get a falcon

 

State Farm Falcon

 

Burt

Edited June 1, 2012 by Burtess

[pics]

Grackles are very smart birds...kill one or two and they get the message pretty quick....starlings tick me off more, emptying the bird feeder in record time...needless to say they stick to the feeder next door and leave mine alone...

[ch312]

Grackles are very smart birds...kill one or two and they get the message pretty quick....

 

exactly. i grew up shooting grackles as an early teen and it doesn't take long for them to learn which areas to avoid after seeing their buddy drop to the ground

 

their breast meat is dark and tastes great when lightly seasoned and fried in butter...

[northernpike56]

Thanks.

Edited September 15, 2012 by northernpike56

[smally21]

just because they are 'unprotected' doesn't mean you can just start shooting.

 

"technically" you need a snall game licencse to hunt these speices, and all associated permits.

its unlikely with a burlington address you live in a neighborhood that allows discharge of firearms of any kind.

 

of course, its unlikely you'd be the first young fella with a pellet gun to settle a score in this fashion. lots goes on when no one is looking. your neighbours have cars too..