How to Keep Birds Off Your Porch

Co-authored by Roger J. Lederer, PhD and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: May 3, 2021 References

Birds are bound to fly into your yard, but they can leave a mess if they make themselves at home on your porch. If you're tired of cleaning up after birds, deter them with objects from your home or with store-bought spikes. After installing your deterrents, you can say goodbye to birds on your porch!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Deterring Birds

1
Hang foil or pie plates around your porch to reflect light. Reflective light creates a visual deterrent for birds since the sun bothers their eyes. Poke a hole in your foil or disposable pie plates and feed a string through it to make a loop. Hang the reflectors on your porch around posts or nails so birds avoid flying or roosting in the area.^{[1]
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National Audubon Society
Nonprofit environmental organization focused on conservation, citizen science, and public science education
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- Attach shiny pinwheels to any posts around your porch to make a reflective deterrent that moves in the wind. When the blades spin, the light will reflect in different areas.^{[2]
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- You can also use small mirrors or old CDs to reflect light.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Roger J. Lederer, PhD
  Ornithologist
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.}
2
Put a fake owl near your porch to scare off birds. Birds won't go where they may be trouble, so keeping a fake bird of prey next to your porch will be sure to scare them away. Look for a fake owl with a bobbling head so it looks like it's moving in the wind. Once every few days, move the fake owl to a different place to make it seem like it's flown to a new spot.^{[4]
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- You can find plastic owls at most home and garden stores.
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3
Keep a set of wind chimes near your porch to deter birds with noise. Use metal wind chimes so they also reflect light. Hang the wind chimes near the corner of your porch or near any patio furniture you keep on your porch.^{[5]
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- Hang multiple wind chimes 10–15 feet (3.0–4.6 m) apart if you have a large porch.
Making Your Own Wind Chimes

1. Drill a hole in the bottom of an empty, clean can.

2. Loop a string or fishing line through the hole and glue it in place.

3. Drill 4-5 holes along the top of the can.

4. Tie old silverware to the ends of strings.

5. Feed the strings through the holes around the can so the silverware hangs down. Make sure there's 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of string between the can and the silverware.

6. Hang the wind chime outside near your porch.^{[6]
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4
Move bird feeders or birdbaths away from your porch if you have any. Bird feeders and baths attract wild birds to your yard. If you have any, keep them at least 30 feet (9.1 m) away from your porch so birds don't come close to your home.^{[7]
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The Humane Society of the United States
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- Get rid of feeders or bird baths entirely so birds are discouraged from coming to your yard.
5
Sprinkle baking soda around roosting areas to keep birds from perching. Coat common perching areas, like eaves or the tops of outdoor lights, with a thin layer of baking soda. Birds don't like the feeling of baking soda under their feet so they'll avoid landing there.^{[8]
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- Baking soda needs to be replaced after it rains or gets wet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Installing Bird Spikes on Gutters and Lights

1
Choose a narrow set of bird spikes. Bird spikes are long metal rods attached to a base to prevent birds from landing or roosting and are sold in sets made for either small, medium, or large-sized birds. Choose the narrowest set of spikes since birds that will normally come near your porch are smaller songbirds.^{[9]
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- Bird spikes can be found in many home and garden stores or online.
- Bird spikes are a humane way to deter birds since they do not harm them in any way.
2
Break the base of the spikes or combine multiple pieces to fit your space. Measure the length of the area you want to attach your bird spikes with a tape measure. To make a long row of spikes, snap the ends of each base together. If you need to make a piece shorter, look for the notched break points along the plastic base. Bend the spikes at their break points to snap them apart.^{[10]
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- Many sets of bird spikes are sold in kits that cover 50–100 feet (15–30 m). Choose the kit that works best for the length you need.
3
Glue or screw the bird spikes on areas where birds may land or roost. Use a caulk gun and clear epoxy glue to adhere the spikes to the area if you want a permanent installation. Place 3-4 dabs of epoxy per 1 foot (0.30 m) of bird spikes. For a less permanent option, use a drill to drive self-tapping screws in each of the base's screw holes.^{[11]
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- Although bird spikes aren't sharpened, don't put them in an area where they could harm pets or children.
4
Use gutter clips to install the spikes onto your overhang. Gutter clips should be included in your bird spikes kit so you can hang them over your eaves. Feed the ends of the clips onto the base of your spikes so you have 2 clips per 1 foot (0.30 m). Use the other end of the clip to hang the spikes inside your gutters.^{[12]
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- You can easily remove and reinstall the spikes if you need to clean your gutters.

Expert Q&A

Question

What home remedy keeps birds away?

Roger J. Lederer, PhD
Ornithologist
Dr. Roger Lederer is an Ornithologist and the founder of Ornithology.com, an informative website about wild birds. Dr. Lederer has spent over 40 years teaching, studying, and writing about birds. He has traveled to over 100 countries to study birds. Dr. Lederer is an Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico, and has been a Department Chair of Biological Sciences and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences. He has written more than 30 research papers and 10 books on birds and a textbook entitled “Ecology and Field Biology.” Dr. Lederer has consulted the BBC, National Geographic, National Public Radio, ABC News, the Guinness Book of World Records, and numerous other organizations and publications.

Roger J. Lederer, PhD

Ornithologist

Expert Answer

Take some old CDs or DVDs and hang them around your porch. The birds will avoid them.
Question

Is there a liquid that prevents birds from perching on your porch?

ZJ C

Community Answer

Yes, both bird repellent liquid and bird repellent spray. If you don’t feel like buying one from the local store, there are several versions of bird repellent sprays you can make at home. The most popular is a concoction of chili peppers, water, and vinegar. To make this spray, crush dried red or green chili peppers into a mixture of water and vinegar and shake before spraying on the porch perch areas.
Question

I feed my outside cats and the birds keep eating it. How can I continue to feed my cats, but keep the birds away?

ZJ C

Community Answer

Grow some white flowers. Make sure the flower species are not toxic for cats, for example lilies are dangerous and daisies are safe. Also, keep a mirror or any shiny object around, the reflection of light will discourage the birds to come back. Since cats are a natural at hunting, small birds like sparrows and birds are easily scared of them. So, if you have nothing to prepare then just show the bird your cat.