Category Archives for "Sparrows"

Sparrow Deterrents & Repellents – Keep Sparrows Away with Sparrow Sprays, Spikes & Scarers

Sparrows may look innocent when they land on your feeder or take up residence in one of your bird houses. They can, however, become a terrible nuisance for people and other birds. The house sparrow in particular can wreak havoc on the rest of your backyard bird population. They bully other birds by:

  • Breaking apart eggs
  • Eating their young
  • Trapping and killing adult birds
  • Excluding other breeds in the cold, killing them by exposure
  • Dominating feeders other birds once used as a food source

Once they move in, sparrows are difficult to chase away. While the Humane Society claims house sparrows are not to blame for a decline in native bird species, they can still cause a lot of trouble for the other bird breeds around your home.

Preserving your preferred bird population in the face of sparrows means using a deterrent that will keep house sparrows at bay without affecting their fellow birds. If you have them in your house or other building, it will take some work to get the sparrows out and then to prevent them from returning.

Deterrents that Work on Sparrows

There are a number of general bird deterrents that should work to keep sparrows away. This is a good option if you need sparrows and other breeds out from under your eaves or out of your vents. Gel is a common suggestion; bird gel is a sticky substance uncomfortable for birds to stand on. The issue with gels is they can gum up a bird’s feathers or even trap a bird altogether. If you decide on a gel, simply pump it out onto the areas where sparrows tend to roost.

Another overall deterrent is a sonic system that plays both bird warning calls and predator sounds. These devices scare birds off by replicating a situation where one bird warns others about an owl or hawk. Other options commonly suggested for sparrows as well as other birds include electric shock strips and netting. If you have a house sparrow infestation somewhere in your house, like the attic, you will need to perform an “exclusion”, a process of sealing off their living spaces while the birds are gone.

Evicting Sparrows but Not Other Birds

A few deterrents should work specifically on sparrows. If you want to keep them out of your backyard birdhouses, the first step is to move the houses further away from your home. Sparrows need heat to stay alive in winter and are always more likely to stay near a heated building when possible. Other bird breeds will be more comfortable a little further from your house. You can also devise a string system with thread and thumbtacks around the entrance to each birdhouse. This simple method, recommended by Outlaw Garden, makes sparrows treat houses like they are guarded by an electric fence; it is not a noticeable deterrent for other birds.

Passive Sparrow Repellents

Another “passive” deterrent option is eliminating what sparrows eat from your feeder mixture. Sparrows are attracted to sporso millet and cracked corn, according to Sialis.org. You should also not put out bread for birds to eat as this, too, will attract sparrows for feeding. Without a close and regular food source, sparrows are likely to move on with regards to their living situation.

You don’t need to wait for sparrows to leave while you watch other bird populations die off and run away, nor should you tolerate these birds clogging up your outside vents and gutters. Take action by selecting a deterrent you think will work to make your house bird free, or use one of the passive measures mentioned here to boot the sparrows out of your birdhouses so other breeds can nest in peace.

 

Get Rid of Sparrows & their Nests in Home, Roof, Bird Feeder, Barn, or Shed

Sparrows are beautiful round plump birds with a brownish grey color and short little tails with stubby powerful beaks for eating seeds and insects. You can find this lovely breed of birds in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. The birds prefer habitat areas such as grasslands, scrublands, deserts, and woodlands. These social creatures live in loose colonies, but during their breeding season, they live with their mate in solitary pairs until it is over.

After that, it is back to roosting with their mates in all kinds of different tree and bush species that are thick with tons of branches and leaves for bedding reed beds for hiding and nesting. With that said, these birds do love dust bathing in sandy areas within the ground and love scratching dirt with their feet, but they also love bathing in a good watery bath too for some cooling down fun. Unfortunately, some people find these birds to be pests.

Why do people consider sparrows to be pests?

People consider sparrows to be pests because these birds love living in gardens but also love eating crops, already planted seeds, and digging holes within the soil. Other reasons why people do not like these particular birds are that their droppings carry diseases and parasites such as:

  • Fungal infections such as Histoplasmosis, Candidasis, Sarcosporidiosias and Blastomycosis
  • Bacterial infections such as Salmonella, Paratyphoid, Vibriosis, Listeriosis and Pasteruellosis
  • Viral Infections such as Encephalitis, Meningitis, Newcastle’s Disease and St. Louis Encephalitis
  • Protozoal Infections such as Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis and American Typansomiasis
  • Parasite Infections and infestations such as Bird Mites. Bed Bugs, Round Worms and Tape Worm

Another reason people do not like these birds is that they build their nests within their home, sheds and garages and leave their droppings everywhere, which can in fact cause their dogs and cats to get sick as well. Thankfully, there are useful methods people can use to help get a sparrow infestation under control.

What are some of the methods that are useful for control sparrow infestations?

If you are experiencing lots of sparrows making your home their home there are several useful methods you can try. The first method is to try scaring them off using motion sensor water sprinklers or motion lights around your home or property. Another method some people have found helpful is placing fake owls around their yard among trees since sparrows are terrified of these particular creatures. Sometimes using methods that attract owls into your backyard can be helpful at keeping sparrows away. Some of the ways you can attract owls is by:

  • Leaving Grass Uncut
  • Placing Bird Baths around the Yard
  • Planting Trees that Owls Love such as Conifers and Deciduous Trees
  • Placing Nesting Boxes around the Yard
  • Leave Dead Trees for Owls to Build Homes Inside

Some other methods that work well for preventing sparrow infestations and getting rid of them are:

  • Destroying Sparrow Nest and Eggs
  • Using Bird Traps to Trap the Birds to Release the Birds Elsewhere
  • Using Sparrow Repellents such as Dust, Liquid Sprays and Gels
  • Use Firearms to Shoot and Kill the Sparrows (Only if absolutely necessary)
  • Get Some Farm Cats
  • Do Not Place Bird Feeders Outside in the Yard
  • Rake Up Berries and Fallen Nuts that Attract Sparrows
  • Place Netting Around Gardens, Crops, Berry Bushes and Fruit Trees

What are the reasons for keeping sparrows around?

Now that you know some reasons on why people may want to prevent or rid sparrows from their property it is also important to know the beneficial reasons to why sparrows are important to the eco-system. Even though sparrows do cause a lot of destruction to gardens and homes while carrying harmful diseases and parasites, these feather friends are essential for eating insects, which helps keep the insect population down and under control like many other birds do on planet Earth. If you have a huge insect problem in your backyard, you might want to consider leaving the sparrows alone and allowing them to nest away so you will not have to deal with insects creeping you out or snacking on you during mosquitoes season.

Killing sparrows should be a last resort…

Killing any kind of creatures to get rid of them should always be a last resort, which means using methods that kill sparrows should be a last resort you use for getting rid of these birds. If sparrows become a huge problem for you to get under control, using the methods you have just learned about you can always call in some bird professionals or Fish and Game Services to help you get rid of them properly and safely. Otherwise, in instances when this breed of bird is not causing destruction or spreading diseases and parasites it is best to leave them alone to do their part in our eco-system.

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Sparrow Traps – Different Types & Their Effectiveness

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What is a sparrow?

A sparrow is a small short plump looking bird with short tails and powerful stout beaks. Male feathers tend to be brightly colored and their heads are grey with white cheeks. Female sparrows tend to look different. They have more of a simpler look to them appearing grey and brown all over in color.

The sparrow was introduced into Brooklyn New York in 1851. They were also introduced into San Francisco and Salt Lake City in the 1870’s. Sparrows were brought to this country to try and control the increasing insect population, but that backfired on us.

Instead, sparrows started to destroy crops and fruit trees. Sparrows are also known for contaminating the food and water sources of live stocks along with consuming them, which is why farmers and maybe even you find them to be pests.

These birds are also known to transmit many disease and parasites to not only livestock, but pets and humans too. Sparrows are now one of the most common birds around in North America, although less common in Alaska and Northern Canada. Knowing where these birds like living and what they love eating helps control their population and keep them at bay, but sometimes traps are necessary to help control these feathery nuisances.

Quick Navigation
What is a sparrow?
What is the habitat of a sparrow?
What are effective steps to keep Sparrows away?
What are some differs types of sparrow traps?
Where can you purchase the traps?
Sparrow Trivia

What is the habitat of a sparrow?

Sparrows have been living very closely to people for centuries. The reason why is they tend to look for easy nesting opportunities along with easy access to food, water and nesting resources. You will find these birds in cities, towns, suburbs, and on farms near livestock as you have just learned. You will not find sparrows out in the woodlands, forests, or grasslands because the environment is simply to harsh for them to thrive in.

With this being said, these birds have a tendency to drive away other birds that we as people enjoy, which is one more reason people are looking for methods on getting rid of them. Not to mention all of the other damaging things that these birds are capable of doing. So help you the guide below on traps will provide you with some helpful information on sparrow traps that are beneficial for controlling the sparrow situations you may be dealing with around you home, business, garden, farm or crops.

What are effective steps to keep Sparrows away?

  • Do not place nesting boxes on your property. If you would like a nesting box to encourage other birds to nest there then try buying the pvc nesting box instead. For some reason, sparrows are less fond of these kinds.
  • Discourage sparrows from feeding on your property. You can simply buy birdseed that is less desirable to them. For example, black oiled sunflower seed and thistle seeds are some types to try using instead.
  • Do not buy bird seed that is high in milo, millet, and cracked corn because this will only attracted the birds to your yard.
  • Do not attract birds with bread crumbs or any kind of bakery items these are the sparrows favorite kind of food because it is easier for them to eat.

What are some differs types of sparrow traps?

The two most common sparrow traps are a nesting box trap and a ground trap. A nesting box trap is typically used for catching one sparrow or a pair. Ground traps are more commonly used for catching a bigger amount of sparrows.

Here is a list of different types of traps that you can use.

Sparrow Trap Door

This is considered one of the most humane traps. It’s basically a box that has give away flooring. Once the sparrow sits on the perch it will become trapped in the box. You must bait this trap with food the sparrows like in order to attract the sparrows inside.

Universal Sparrow Trap

This trap you screw onto the inside of your nesting box once the bird is inside. Then it closes the entrance shut and keeps the sparrow trapped.

Repeating Sparrow Trap

This sparrow trap is a ground trap. It looks very much like a cage. You basically bait the trap with bird seeds, breadcrumbs, and water. It is good to have a decoy bird placed in the trap to help lure the sparrows into it.

Two Door Cage Trap

This trap is another ground trap. It catches one to two birds at a time. Again, traps like this work best with bait.

Too much work to remove the sparrows yourself? Get professional help!

Where can you purchase the traps?

You can purchase different traps and variations of ground and nesting box traps at most gardening stores and home improvement shops in the gardening sections. Basically you just have to find the one that works best for you and circumstances.

Sparrow Trivia

Although, these birds can be pesky here are some fun facts to know:

  • Sparrows love taking dust baths and do so frequently.
  • They are known to aggressively defend their nest and have attacked up to 70 different species of birds.
  • They are known for stealing food from the American Robin.