How to keep birds out of a barn

No matter where you live it seems like birds are everywhere. That is because they are. If are quite frank about it birds are located and just about every ecosystem that you can imagine. This is especially true for those who are living in more rural areas. Many different kinds of birds are attracted to the crops that people have on their farms or to the open areas where they can find a wide range of different plants, animals, and insects to be able to eat. It's the ideal habitat for them in many ways.

For those who own a farm it can be a real challenge to keep these animals off of your property. In most cases, it's simply a losing battle. Despite this, many attempt the unenviable task of trying to keep birds out of their barn. This can be one of the most difficult challenges of all.

Consider the average barn for a moment. First of all, it is a very large area that affords birds many different places to find as their new home. This is part of the reason why they like it so much. It is a vast space that a small bird can use to build a nest, and virtually go unnoticed.

In addition to this, a barn offers a wide range of different kinds of food sources for a bird. There are not only a lot of different kinds of bugs that are around, but there are also different grains and other foodstuffs that a bird can use to nourish itself.

Then you have the added problem of how easily accessible it is for a bird to get into a barn. Most farmers leave the barn door open for extended periods of time during the day if not leaving it open all the time. This gives birds the easy access in and out of the barn. Even if the door is closed for long periods of time there are still usually some areas, such as a loose board, a crack, or other access, that allows the bird to figure out a way to get itself in. This makes it an incredible challenge.

To be quite frank with you, if you are intending to try to get it so that birds are not able to get into your barn you are facing a very difficult challenge. This is going to require a very diligent effort on your part and, honestly, you may find that you are pitching at windmills. You may not win this battle. However, if you are diligent and off and perseverance enough you can have some success. Here are some tips for you that can help you in accomplishing your goal.

First of all, you're going to need to do a regular sweep of your barn area to check to find where there are nests that have been built. You will need to look in cracks or corners of the barn, spots where beams cross over one another, or other out-of-the-way areas that would make for a perfect location for a bird to set up a nest. Consider that that bird is looking for a location where it can create a nest in relative solitude. The bird or birds are looking for safety, so if you can find spots where it is relatively obscure that is a good place to begin.

If you find nest there and you need to sweep those out as quickly as possible. It may require you to take some drastic measures to keep the birds from returning. You may want to do the most humane thing, but if they believe they can come back and find a safe location then they will continue to do so. A permanent solution may be your only option.

Birds like to perch. This means you need to remove out as many of the places that they can do this as possible. A common spot for a bird to perch is a long the railings or eaves of the barn. There are special devices that you can buy that you install on these surfaces that make it impossible for the bird to land on it. Either they are sloped so that it makes it impossible to land, or they have spikes in them that make it dangerous for the bird to do so. These can be very effective.

Having a cat or two can really be a help to you as well. Cats naturally like to chase after birds, and birds are instinctively afraid of cats. This can be a great way to keep the birds from returning, because each time that they do that cat will come after them. They will avoid endangering themselves and flee.

This may not seem like very much help to you, but the truth is that you're in quite a tough battle. Keeping birds out of your barn is not an easy task whatsoever, but with the help of a cat and a bit of dedication on your part you can have some real success. The thing to keep in mind is that this can become a serious never ending battle. Birds will return. They will continue to come back to your barn if they think it is a good location to get food and shelter. This is why you have to remain diligent if you are going to have success in keeping them away.



Also read our other bird tip: Will rice or alka-seltzer kill a pigeon?