Pigeons and other pest birds cause all sorts of problems for homeowners each year. Not only do they cause damage to homes, in gardens and fruit trees, they can also create a health hazard. Bird droppings are not only corrosive, damaging building material, they can carry any of 60 transmittable diseases. Of those, West Nile Virus and Hystoplasmosis are transmittable to humans and other animals. To help keep these pest birds away use a predator red tail hawk decoy.
Predator hawk decoys are made of a durable plastic that is hand-painted to a realistic likeness of the bird. It will be recognized by pigeons and other pest birds as a threat. They will stay clear of the area instinctively to avoid danger.
How a Hawk Decoy Scares Pest Birds Away
No predator is more despised by pigeons and other pest birds as the Red-tailed hawk.
- Pigeons instinctively recognize the profile of the Red-tailed hawk. Pigeons and other pest birds will stay out of the area that a hawk is monitoring.
- Hawk decoys are a more convincing foe than the owl decoys are. Hawks will hunt during the day, making it easy for other birds to detect danger from their presence. Owls on the other hand will hunt at night, so other birds may not recognize them as a threat during the day.
- Hawks are very territorial birds, protecting their areas with tenacious vigor. Other birds know this and will stay far out of their perceived territory.
How to Use a Hawk Decoy
Hawk decoys are easy to install and maintain.
- Hawk decoys are ideal for use in outdoor areas such as gardens, patios, outdoor eating areas, rooftops, awnings and patio covers.
- Fill the decoy with sand to use on flat surfaces. Use a rope or twine to hang from trees or eaves of homes using the hole at the top of the decoy.
- It is more effective if you move the decoy around a little every couple days at first so that the pest birds do not get used to the decoy being in the same spot.
- Most hawk decoys are made of a durable plastic that will withstand the elements. They should have a long life in their outdoor perches.
- Hand painted to look as realistic as possible, the hawk decoy can also be an attractive addition to the backyard.
In heavily infested areas other pest bird devices may be required along with the hawk decoy. Physical bird deterrents such as bird spikes, bird spiders and netting may also be used to keep the pest birds from open areas.
Fran Prisco - Fran likes to run, bike, golf and do anything outdoors. She also enjoys reading, knitting and crocheting. She works as a freelance writer, ...
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