green is universal

Birds in the Belfry?

Dear Mr. Green,

We recently put a 2nd floor addition to our home and there is a small gap running along the front of the house under the fascia board. The birds have discovered the gap and have decided to make themselves at home in our home. We've tried to seal the gap with foam insulation and they seem to still be able to get in. Is there a natural bird repellent we can use to keep them out?

Sincerely,
Additionally Pestered

Dear Frustrated by Flutter,

Please know that I understand your situation is real and that you're not on a back lot somewhere with Alfred Hitchcock directing you in "The Birds." In the event that you're not familiar with this classic thriller, here's a quick synopsis:

After purchasing a pet bird, pampered socialite Melanie Daniels (played by actor Tippi Hedren - or for the rest of us, Melanie Griffith's mother) is followed and hounded by ever-growing gaggles of wild birds. Windows are shattered, children run screaming, townspeople search for safe haven, and the angered birds attack our heroine while she's taken refuge in a phone booth ruining her Chanel suit and her perfectly coifed hair. It's man (or woman) against nature and, in this instance...nature is definitely winning.

For millennia there have been countless varieties of species of birds on our planet - all of which are descendents of the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, but in no part due to Mr. Hitchcock, a great number of them have vanished and are now extinct. Particular breeds of crows, cuckoo's, dodo's, ducks, falcons, finches, geese, gulls, hawks, herons, hummingbirds, jays, kingfishers, magpies, mockingbirds, owls, parrots, penguins, pigeons, quails, rails, ravens, shorebirds, starlings, swans, and woodpeckers have disappeared. Since the year 1500, over 140 known species have vanished and the rate of bird extinction seems to be increasing. While some variety of birds die because of evolutionary and environmental conditions, others succumbed to extinction because they were simply killed off. While biological extinction has been the natural world's first line of attack, we humans, unfortunately have hustled Mother Nature along an unfortunate course of action whenever we could be of assistance.

Since you're hoping to rid yourself and your home of the birds that are nesting behind your fascia boards (the visible flat length of lumber that caps the rafter ends and encloses the overhang along your new roof's edge), fortunately there are plenty of ways to control your fine feathered friends without eliminating them with toxic chemicals. Bird poisons are frequently restricted in many states because they often kill more than just the birds you're trying to get rid of. Since you've not identified the species of birds that have taken up residence, you might consider some eco- and aviary-friendly options like bird repellents, traps, alarms, and even scarecrows, as suitable, safe and swell alternatives.

Repellent needle strips, those sharp wires often spotted on ledges and rooftops, might be a consideration - they work because who wants to sit on a bed of nails? Audible recordings are another alternative because your visitors might be fooled into thinking its natural predator is nearby. Sometimes visual scare methods work well, too. Many birds dislike reflective surfaces, so you might try hanging shiny aluminum pie tins, installing glittery reflective Mylar tape, setting up a display of sparkly recycled CDs, or dangling strips of shimmering aluminum foil from a tree or ledge nearby. And, unlike jaded city birds, (who I really think laugh when they see them) your country-bumpkin birds might be frightened off if you install believable-looking decoys of birds of prey, owls or even rubber snakes.

But if you're anything like me, even though they're indigenous and cute, I don't want the house that my partner and I live in to be infested with wild birds. To remedy your problem, here are some other things to consider. First, to retain the integrity of your home and neighborhood, I suggest that you ask your neighbors if they, too, are having the same problem, and then call your local bird society or wildlife preservation organization and get their advice on your co-habitation problem. Additionally, have an exterminator come - no - not to destroy the birds but instead to examine why they're seeking refuge behind your fascia boards in the first place. Birds often take shelter in a specific location because of its proximity to an abundant food source and maybe...just maybe...you might have more than just birds in your belfry.

about mr. green

From re-gifting, re-cycling, to natural cleaning products for your home, Mr. Green has all of your ecotiquette answers. Our Mr. Green (aka. Michael De Jong), is the author of "CLEAN: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing." He lives in Jersey City with his partner (Richard,) dog (Jack,) and three goldfish (Phil, Jill and Gill) all of which benefit from his natural cleaning techniques. De Jong, who cleaned apartments in New York City while working as a fine artist, began researching and inventing many of the recipes in "CLEAN" and is continually experimenting with safe, effective and eco-friendly alternatives. Raised in the mid-West by an immigrant family that valued the environment and re-cycled before it was fashionable, his quest for non-toxic solutions comes naturally to him. He is currently writing a companion series of "CLEAN" books dealing with such topics as the body, first aid, organization, and food, as well as posting a weekly Blog on www.thedailygreen.com. "CLEAN: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing" can be purchased at Barnes & Noble stores across the country or on-line at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com.

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