[rosalind dna]

Buy a model of  peregrine falcon or hawk leave it in the middle of your
yard and the birds will vanish.
Or find some of the CDs that you and your family don't listen to anymore,
put some cotton through the CDs string them up on a washing line if you
have one. Even in the middle of your yard then the clattering noise and
the mirroring effect will get rid of the birds.

Have you tried to contact your local pest control services?

I think there is one thing you might like to bear in mind about Carolyn - she lives in Florida.

This probably means that the local pest control people are more interested in rogue alligators than in small black birds (she did have them out for the black widow problem she had).

Secondly, peregrine falcons are not native to Florida, so I am not at all sure the local bird population would actually know what one was if it saw it (that might be a weakness in my proposal as well).  I suppose the trick is to find out what the natural predators of the birds that concern you are, and put a realistic model of one or two in the garden, and hope they are dumb enough not to know the difference.

ok

[neilep]

How about building a moat around your house ?

Practical and fun....You're close to a big water supply...plus you could rent out rides in paddle boats.

yes..yes..I think this would work..and is clearly the most sensible suggestion thus far.

[Carolyn (OP)]

How about building a moat around your house ?

Practical and fun....You're close to a big water supply...plus you could rent out rides in paddle boats.

yes..yes..I think this would work..and is clearly the most sensible suggestion thus far.

Thank You!  What a fantastic idea!  I'm sure building a moat would do it!  The gators & snakes the water would attract I'm sure would dwindle the bird population.

[paul.fr]

I often find just saying "hi, I'm Paul" does the trick.  [:-'(]

[DoctorBeaver]

Buy a model of  peregrine falcon or hawk leave it in the middle of your
yard and the birds will vanish.
Or find some of the CDs that you and your family don't listen to anymore,
put some cotton through the CDs string them up on a washing line if you
have one. Even in the middle of your yard then the clattering noise and
the mirroring effect will get rid of the birds.

Have you tried to contact your local pest control services?

I think there is one thing you might like to bear in mind about Carolyn - she lives in Florida.

This probably means that the local pest control people are more interested in rogue alligators than in small black birds (she did have them out for the black widow problem she had).

Secondly, peregrine falcons are not native to Florida, so I am not at all sure the local bird population would actually know what one was if it saw it (that might be a weakness in my proposal as well).  I suppose the trick is to find out what the natural predators of the birds that concern you are, and put a realistic model of one or two in the garden, and hope they are dumb enough not to know the difference.

Around here pest control is only used for bugs,rodents, BEAVERS [] and termites.

You are in serious trouble, girl!  [!] Don't be surprised if your fence posts get nibbled.

[Carolyn (OP)]

You are in serious trouble, girl!  [!] Don't be surprised if your fence posts get nibbled.

*shrugs shoulders, smiles sweetly and says.....* What?? []

[DoctorBeaver]

I wouldn't have thought there were many beavers in Florida. We're certainly more adapted for a colder climate. Unless, of course, you're referring to retired beavers. But they just sit in their retirement homes playing whist and watching endless re-runs of The Love Boat with possibly the occasional sojourn to the local golf course.

[Bored chemist]

Just a thought.
"Ok Carolyn.. put spinning wheels or spinners about your garden and along the top of your deck. Fill some decorative containers with cat litter or such and let the breeze spin them.. birds do not like spinners and whirly gigs!


I'll see if I can find some.  I have to be careful with those.  We have a homeowners association and lawn & garden ornaments are strictly prohibited.  They could slap me with a large fine, but I might could get away with it in the back yard....what they don't know won't hurt 'em."
So what- if they are performing a real function as bird scarers then they are not ornaments.

[DoctorBeaver]

We have a homeowners association and lawn & garden ornaments are strictly prohibited.  They could slap me with a large fine...

Goddam fascists! I would not stand for anyone telling me what I can or can't have in my own garden. If I want gnomes (God forbid) then I'll damned well have them. I'm afraid your Homeowners Association would very soon get used to seeing a raised middle finger from this rodent!

Incidentally, how would they enforce the fine?

[Carolyn (OP)]

I feel the same way!  I'm already on their **** list though.  When we built our house, we moved in about a month before it was completed so that we could work on it in the evenings.  One day I came home and found a note on the door from the Assoc. President that stated we had 24 hours to remove the construction debris from the property and if I had questions to please don't hesitate to call him.  I did call him and reminded him that we had not finished construction on the home and hadn't even closed on the loan and that we would remove the debris when the home was finished.  I told him the only question I had for him was which side of my *** he wanted to kiss.  Needless to say, he doesn't like me very much....can't imagine why!

Anyway, they can most definitely enforce it.  If you don't pay the fines they impose, they will put a lien on your home.

[DoctorBeaver]

That would be illegal in the UK