Keeping birds off boats. How?

[MikeJohns]

How do you keep the birds off the moored boat?

Tons of guano always accumulates on one or two boats in a mooring area. The poor owners have their boats fitted with every contrivance known to man. Sometimes they have their mooring moved only to find the flock simply follows the boat.

An afflicted owner I was talking to yesterday said the family of cormorants remained on his boat even when he was aboard and returned within 5 seconds of him chasing them away. He said he has tried Humming lines, CD’s, Netting and any manner of contrivances to no long term avail.

I thought some sort of sea eagle wings spread hovering in the rigging claws outstretched as in just before a strike might give them enough stress to leave their adopted home. Or do they get used to that as well?

The mooring area is adjacent to housing so noise is out as is culling .


Can’t blame the cormorants really we remove their natural habitat and the desperate birds have to move to the boats. The gulls are another matter.

Any success stories?

[Toot]

The inventor in me qould suggest a device that runs, perhaps, on solar power. A very slow pump that slowly builds pressure in a reservoir and shoots a "shot" of sea water randomly across the boat. Enough "action" might encourage the birds to find a more predictable habitat.

[KnottyBuoyz]

Get one of those inflatable gators. They kind they sell at the pool store. Just about every bird on this planet is afraid of gators. I read a story a while back where a golf course in Maine was running a contest to rid themselves of those damn Canadian Geese and this was the winning entry. It was from a FLA golfer who happened to be visiting and remembered that every hole on his home course that had gators also had no birds.

Rick

[longliner45]

we just had the same problem at our shop. inside the birds would congregate, health issius and all, we hired a co. to come in , since we are a power co. we have to deal with all the (human)stuff and all ,and im for it. instead of poisons and traps ,,,they put a sticky stuff on all the pipes were the birds hung out ,,now they are all gone ,,,,,amazing ,no dead birds and no birds at all , ill find out what they used and tell you , you could put it on your spreaders and such and see what kind of luck you have ,so far 3 mos and no birds....longliner

[hansp77]

Hey Mike,
same problem for me.
we have been building up quite a supply of guano on our swing mooring.
From appearances the netting seems to work best where we are.
That is what I am going to go for.

But also, like you said, it seems that some boats get targeted and some avoided. Wish I was one of the second.

I wonder if a blow up croc would work? Can't imagine too many melbourne seagulls having prior experience with crocs, but maybe it would be instinctual or something.

Can't wait for the success stories.

[yotphix]

Perhaps there are scents that birds fear or find distasteful? Judging by the results at Toronto Island Airport sound just sends them up for a moment anyway so not much help. There seem to be quite a few bird of prey kites in Newport Beach Moorings but I don't know how effective they are. Inflatable snakes are reputed to work as well.

[Frosty]

What about hanging a few real, but dead birds up on the rigging. I mean you wouldnt go knock on the door of a house with a dead human being hanging outside?--- Just a thought--

[Pericles]

Bird scarers such as http://www.birdscarers.co.uk/ might work. Or how about helium balloons? http://birdcontrol.net/

A hawk kite attached to the tip of the mast (if present) would fly on the wind and could work for the whole marina.

Pericles

[Frosty]

Put a cat on board with some water and a cat litter tray. You wouldnt need to feed it ,--it would eat the birds. You would'nt have rats iether.

[westlawn5554X]

An air-rifle, a kid and 10 bucks ... good combo

[caveman]

westlawn5554x has a very good idea! but most bird do not like high pitch sounds beeps or chimes. you can purchase very loud ones that would do the job that run off 110vac or 12vdc at radio shack for five buck or less.with this and a simple timer it just might work for you. Bye the way I work at a grain elevator that has alot of birds around and it works good there.

[MikeJohns]

Is this going to become another pirates thread? I was hoping for some practical "I tried this and it worked on my boat" type answers.

Dead birds have been tried and did not work.

Killing the birds is out too .

a big Inflatable croc on the boom (or snake) might work

Water squirter would need maintenance but it could drive them away

Longliners gloop sounds a bit messy on the rails decks, spreaders... :)

Sounds need to be quiet since there are often houses close by to moorings, but high frequency might work. Humming lines have not worked apparently.

Smell...I dont thiink birds are very sensitive to taste or smell.

Hairdressers model heads didn't work.

I am glad it's not my boat.

Cheers
Mike

[Frosty]

What about leaving the radar on then they would die of cancer. No one would know you did it!

Eerrrr -- nope, you've got me now,-- I cant think of any thing else, --well I can but there not as good as the ones ive already said, the rest are just stupid.

[Figgy]

In all honesty, and not trying to be rude, move your boat. Thats it. I've tried everything. I moved my boat into what I thought was a better slip, only to to come down a week later to a wreck. It was tragic. A bunch of cash, and a trash can full of stuff later, I pleaded with the marina to let me move back. Nothing works. Ok, somethings might for some people, but nothing for me. Either buy stock in your favorite soap, or move the boat. Sorry.

[Poida]

Round here nets are banned because they entangle the birds.
But common to find in one of our beach suburbs to keep seagulls away are model owls. Apparently birds are scared of them.

[Smoothride]

Not that we're talking about airplanes here, but it's applicable:

Model owls have been used at airports for many years, usually mounted on top of the vertical stabilizer or on top of the prop (easier to remove, don't need a ladder to get it). Birds will find any small opening to nest in, and usually they can be found inside engine cowlings, amongst the banks of air cooled cylinders.

Naval Safety Center Bird Aviation Strike Hazard website = Good;)

http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/aviation/operations/bash/default.htm

Techniques for getting rid of birds, and the effect:

Technique
Primary Targets
Potential Efficacy as
Part of an Integrated Program


Non-lethal
Pyrotechnics
Birds, some mammals
High

Gas cannons
Birds, especially migrants
Moderate

Report Shells
Soaring birds (e.g., gulls)
High

Lasers
Birds, especially roosting
Moderate

Falconry
Birds
High

Border Collies
Birds, some mammals
High to moderate

Live trapping
Birds, some mammals
Low to moderate

Chemical – irritants
Birds
Low

Playback of distress calls – remote system
Birds
Low to moderate

Playback – mobile
Birds
Moderate to high

Flags
Birds
Low to moderate

Dead specimen birds
Birds
Moderate

Chemical - behavioural repellents
Birds, mammals (on cables)
Moderate

Radio-controlled models
Birds
Low (can be higher)


Lethal
Lethal trapping
Small mammals
Low

Chemical – lethal control
Birds in buildings, mammals
High to moderate

Chemical – Benomyl/Tersan fungicide
Fungus in turf but kills earthworms
Moderate

Earthworm sweeping
Earthworms on hard surfaces
Moderate to high

Surfactant water sprays
Roosting birds
Moderate

Live-ammunition shooting
Birds, some mammals
High

[yotphix]

http://www.birdbgone.com/shocktrack.htm

I don't know if this would be legal but if you read the specs you will see that solar power is an option. Obviously it would have to be layed out and taken up each time the boat is used but that's probably easier than cleaning.

[Vega]

Here and in Spain, some marinas use a device that makes the sound of a Hawk. It is attached to a movement detector. That noise is a pain in the ass for the marina's users.

In a moored boat they seem to make a lot more sense to me.

But I guess that the system will only work till the Seagulls get used to it.

There is one of those systems in the Leixões Marina (Leixões is also the biggest fishing Port in Portugal, lots of seagulls). It seemed to work when I have passed there two years ago; I have passed this year again and it seems that its efficiency was a lot smaller.

The system that really works in the Marinas, are nylon fishing lines over all the pontoons.
Perhaps fishing lines, pulled up to the top of the mast and connecting all around the boat would work.

Seagulls cannot see the transparent nylon and crash against it. As they cannot see why they crash, they will avoid the boat (hopefully). At least it works with the pontoons.

That’s not only noise, it hurts......perhaps that can take them to the neighbor's boat.

[MikeJohns]

The owls here are covered in gauno from the gulls sitting on the top! They also tried manikins (life size model people) with the same result.

It needs to be something that effects a primal fear deep in the birds brain something it cant get used to.

Has anyone used ultrasonic scarers ? seems they would comply with the noise issue, might drive the local dogs mad though.

[SamSam]

I have my bird feeder rigged up to an electric fencer and a switch. So when the cowbirds come in a flock, chase away the real birds and eat a gallon of feed in a short time, I have something I can "say" about it. It's great fun and the birds are quite surprised, stunned is more like it. The only problem is, on the cowbirds, about the size of a robin, their feet lock up, so they rotate upside down on the perch, flapping their wings and squaking until I turn off the juice. Talk about ruffled feathers! If the power could be regulated down, there has to be a point where they wouldn't get stuck in place and they surely wouldn't stay unless they were 'crazy as a loon'. Sam

[Frosty]

Seriously mike if the clean up from the birds has got the better of you and its just intollerable, I personally would be thinking about a cat.

Seriously you could try one for a day or two. Cats do the business in a tray. If it worked you could get a full time one. If the cat was working but failed to deter the birds because the birds were too far away for the cat I would think about cutting up a sheet of 1/4 ply into 4inch strips and make like gang planks here and there so the cat could at least look threataning to the birds.

Theres nothing more that could instill deep primal fear in a bird than a cat.

[westlawn5554X]

He... He... throw bird food to other location hoping the bird would change location for their activities.:)

[Pericles]

Why not try a helikite? http://birdcontrol.net/html/Helikites.htm

Silent and easy to deploy, we use one to keep the pigeons away from the ripening grapes in the vineyard.

Pericles

[Figgy]

their feet lock up, so they rotate upside down on the perch, flapping their wings and squaking until I turn off the juice. Talk about ruffled feathers!
Haha! Oh man! I just spit coffee all over my desk!! Make a video of that, I've GOT to see it! Oh thats funny, thank you!

[Poida]

This reminds me of a guy I used to know in pest control.

He was called to get rid of pigeons that sat outside the windows on ledges of a multi storey building and of course pooing on the ledges, making a nasty unsightly mess outside all of the windows.

He was asked to get rid of them and being a pest exterminator the job was to poisen them but the dead birds had to be cleared away before work started Monday morning as there would be hell to pay if anybody saw any dead birds laying around on the ground when work started.

Friday evening Dave, the exterminator, started sprinkling poisened birdseed around the ground and the birds had a good feed.

Nice and early Saturday morning Dave went in to clean up the dead birds. Not a bird to be found.
Checked again Sunday morning still no dead birds. Well thought Dave better do it again next weekend with a stronger brew.

Monday morning all hell broke loose. The staff were confronted with a view of hundreds of dead birds laying on the ledges outside their windows.

Dave hadn't considered that the birds would have a feed then retire back to the ledges to retire for the evening and of course dropping dead.

[waikikin]

My great grandfather used to get pidgeons drunk on bread & brandy, then make em into a pie - like pre marinated mmmm delicioseoso- all you need is a good recipie for shag/cormerant/seagull & you'll thin out the problem- maybe even sell em to tourists for a top buck.Or get a wrist rocket, you can buy the rubbers at an archery shop, but you gotta make your own frame cos they be on the edge of legality here, I gave mine to our boatshed proprietor & he "sorted" the problem in short time, it was bent up out of 5/16 polished staino & looked the goods - no drama for a keen metal man!All the best from Jeff.

[safewalrus]

Apart from Jacks Idea babout the cat I can't give anything definate, the thing is you need something cheap and non mechanical that doesn't need any maintainance so you don't have to keep checking on it! Just thinking out loud but hows about checking the boats that don't have the problem? why don't the beasties go near them? might give you a clue? me I've never had this problem - maybe it's 'cos I'm a mean obnoxious bugger and they get things thrown at 'em when I'm about, but they just don't like me (save a couple of swans some years back who found that if they knocked on the side of the boat I'd come out and feed them - hey they really got me suckered!) Colour of the deck or some such maybe?

[KnottyBuoyz]

Was reading a similar thread on another BBS and the gator comes highly recommended and has proven itself.

Here's a link to a site they posted there.

www.birddamage.com (http://www.birddamage.com)

Maybe that'll help.

Rick

[MikeJohns]

................... I can't give anything definate, the thing is you need something cheap and non mechanical ............ Colour of the deck or some such maybe?


Yes
I agree Mike. The boat in this case is a pretty 30 foot trad timber sloop but the decks are no longer natural teak but white and that's from the birds re-decorating.

It looks like the high frequency noise and an inflatable alligator are the best contenders. Suppose we should tell the commercial bird scaring people that the problem exists, they can then produce a "Marine version" :)

Cheers

[timgoz]

I looked over this thread to see if any folks from Southeast Alaska chimed in. You should see the load a Bald Eagle can deposit from the spreaders.

In defence of the Southeasterners absence, most in the outports have no convienent Internet access.

TGoz

[earljfowler]

In Essex, CT, where we have the largest national flock of diarhea inflicted comorant, I tried the rubber gator trick, and found the birds literally s____ on the gator. Sorry to be Discouraging, but it didn't work. I like the "sticky stuff" idea, and I intend to try it.

[Poida]

I guess that whatever scares seabirds depends what area you are in.
Like, we don't have alligators or crocs where we are so the birds wouldn't know what they were and would not be scared of them.

It's no good putting a sign up saying "birds keep off" if the birds in your area are illiterate.

Mike Johns reckon the seagulls crap all over the owls where he is. Or it scares the **** out of them.

Now consider this. You are trying to scare the birds away.

Think outside the square.

Where do birds like to go?

Set up a perch where the birds would like to sit, and put a tray underneath so the birds poo in one place that is easy to clean. Or place the perch outside the perimeter of the boat so they crap in the water. It would seem that the birds only sit on your boat because they need somewhere to sit. Give 'em somewhere to sit outside your boat, problem solved.

[earljfowler]

I appreciate the more global thinking about the guano prevention problem. It's true, why would a New England cormorant fear a gator, never having been eaten by one. If a couple of real gators could be tethered to the deck -as Triston Jones once did with lizzaards to eat ants - on long leashes, that would take care of the offending birds and teach fear to the rest.

Catching the guano in recepticles may not work in this area, because the cormorant, and perhaps other sea birds, perch on our spreaders, bow pulpit, taffrail, and all along the boom. The latter is the worst, as cleaning the sail cover of cormorant concrete could make a strong man cry. I wish I knew how to cooperate with the birds other than to say, "S.... where you like."

[Vega]

It looks like the high frequency noise .... Suppose we should tell the commercial bird scaring people that the problem exists, they can then produce a "Marine version" :)

Cheers

Mike, perhaps I was not clear, but what I was saying in post 18 is that there are Marine versions of commercial bird scaring devices.

Take a look:

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html#mpsmarine

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html

[Dave 65]

We have a real problem with ducks and geese on our docks. We tied cds to a string and placed them around the dock. Not a single bird has come back.

[Toot]

Mike, perhaps I was not clear, but what I was saying in post 18 is that there are Marine versions of commercial bird scaring devices.

Take a look:

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html#mpsmarine

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html

From your posted website, I guess I don't understand this part... anyone care to explain?

In addition, they use a mimimal amount (around 24 seconds per hour) of audible gull calls which is designed to blend in with the environment so as not to cause a nuisance effect, together they create a very high level of protection against seagulls. :?:

[l_boyle]

A tough one to answer.. Shooting birds will not stop them from coming back. Scent ain't gonna work. A scarecrows are a joke. But, for real treat. I may suggested the motion sensor from a light, with squirting water cannon will be the best bet... Meanwhile, hang up a bunch of alumium pie tins.. Where it will sway in the breeze, and reflect light from the sun. It worked in my garden, don't see why it wouldn't work on boats

[Toot]

A tough one to answer.. Shooting birds will not stop them from coming back. Scent ain't gonna work. A scarecrows are a joke. But, for real treat. I may suggested the motion sensor from a light, with squirting water cannon will be the best bet... Meanwhile, hang up a bunch of alumium pie tins.. Where it will sway in the breeze, and reflect light from the sun. It worked in my garden, don't see why it wouldn't work on boats

LOL! Tying a water cannon into a motion sensor!!! It'd be a project for an electrical engineer, no doubt but oh wow! What a neat little toy that would be! :D

[Frosty]

Has any one mentioned a cat yet???--- Oh thats right i did-

Perhaps some one could explain to me why a cat can not be considered.

[l_boyle]

Well jack frost, lol... cats considered a pain in the arse. We are dealing with bird droppings, right?
Now, dealing with more droppings from cats, what a stinky doo with hair balls.. Cats urine are nasty, smelly gunk that is hard to clean up after. I could image, going down below in the cuddy, and smell that stink remain that never could be washes up.. "No cats onboard"....

[yotphix]

Mike Johns,
Would the marine versions be yellow? I hope so because only yellow things are waterproof. That's why I bought a new yellow washdown hose. The people at the store wanted to sell me a white one but could you imagine a hose that isn't waterproof? Sheesh! How dumb do I look?!

[Frosty]

Well jack frost, lol... cats considered a pain in the arse. We are dealing with bird droppings, right?
Now, dealing with more droppings from cats, what a stinky doo with hair balls.. Cats urine are nasty, smelly gunk that is hard to clean up after. I could image, going down below in the cuddy, and smell that stink remain that never could be washes up.. "No cats onboard"....

Jeeeez you must have funny cats over there. We have cats here that crap in a cat litter things a bit like a tray of sand. If you think cats are like that well ---actually I hate the nasty liittle !@#$%^ but they have thier jobs and this is one they could do.

A friend of mine had a cat,-- well still does , he brought the cat litter tray closer to the toilet, every day a bit close and closer untill he put the tray on top of the toilet. Then he cut a hole in it so the cat would then crap in the toilet. Finally removing the tray the cat now craps in the toilet,---just like you and me

[safewalrus]

A tough one to answer.. Shooting birds will not stop them from coming back.
funny I thought death was kinda final! it's only in kids games where you count to one hundred and then you become alive again or have I got it wrong all these years

As to Poida's idea of giving them a nice alternative, does this mean you find a boat covered with poo and moor next to him! the idea has merit! but the guy who owns the poo'd upon boat might get a bit upset when all these smart clean boats moor up next him - so he cleans up and the birds shift toilet to ......maybe not so good:confused:

[Vega]

From your posted website, I guess I don't understand this part... anyone care to explain?
:?:



"Model BS
In addition, they use a mimimal amount (around 24 seconds/hour) of audible gull calls which is designed to blend in with the environment so as not to cause a nuisance effect, together they create a very high level of protection against seagulls.
Whilst the ultrasonic sound is produced constantly to offer protection around the clock, the audible sounds are automatically stopped at dusk and restarted at dawn, however, this can be controlled manually with the On/Off/Volume switch if so required.


Model BS3/E
In addition to Predator calls this unique Birdscarer produces a powerful strobe flashes that will momentarily blind any bird that looks at the unit.
Various modes of operation and numerous Predator Call plug in chips available"

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html#mpsmarine

Probably the “gull calls” is a Typo error. Probably they want to say: Scaring Gulls calls.

For the next product, they speak of "predator calls"

Why the hell would they want to call the gulls instead of sending them away? Unless they can emit a distress gull call that made all the gulls run away.

[Wynand N]

How do you keep the birds off the moored boat?
Tons of guano always accumulates on one or two boats in a mooring area.

What an oppertunity to establish a vegetable garden on deck. Think about it, fresh veggies on demand, endless supply of organic fertilizer:D

[Frosty]

Bird spiders???

[longliner45]

I was in south America,yes there are spiders that eat birds!

[Vega]

We have a real problem with ducks and geese on our docks. We tied cds to a string and placed them around the dock. Not a single bird has come back.

take a look:

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/birdscarers.html#bird_repeller_ribbon

[Toot]

Why the hell would they want to call the gulls instead of sending them away? Unless they can emit a distress gull call that made all the gulls run away.

Well, maybe you can buy that solar-power source and secretly mount it on to somebody else's boat way over on the other side of the marina!

Boy, what a practical joke that would be!!! :D

[KnottyBuoyz]

Well, maybe you can buy that solar-power source and secretly mount it on to somebody else's boat way over on the other side of the marina!

Boy, what a practical joke that would be!!! :D

I did something similar with a stray cat. Put a can of sardines under my neighbors (who hates cats) porch. Every stray in the neighborhood now makes their nightly stops (and deposits) on her porch much to the distress of her two dogs!!! *lol* Almost backfired when the family of racoons moved into her deck box! hehehe

Evil, but I luv it. But you know? There's no birds in her yard anymore either!

Rick

[Raggi_Thor]

http://www.sveisenett.no/produkter/tess-gr-508.pdf#search=%22fugleskremmer%20roterende%22

You see?
It's a gas bottle, a burner and a timer!

Sorry, no burner, it's just a big bang...

[Poida]

Hanging CDs, amkes me think of those gadgets that you send morse code by, a shiney disc with a hole in the middle so you can line it up with aircraft or other boats. Now imagine twenty CDs all flashing in the sun. But, with all those people coming to rescue you, they might scare off all the birds.

[Raggi_Thor]

What about the large "rotors" blowing in the wind?
I don't know what they are called but they are quite common here.

[Poida]

They're bloody helicopters Raggi

[Raggi_Thor]

yea, wind driven

[hansp77]

Ok,
I just spent the day scrubbing bird crap off my boat.

I was simply amazed at the different substances that were coating my deck. Black, white, grey, chalky, gritty, chunky, sticky runny etc...
luckily it was just warm enough to swim, so every time I would start to gag or shudder, I would just jump in the water (to jump out about 1.5 seconds later).
Unfortunately the deck is painted with that granular grip paint, which seems to have formed both a chemical and physical bond to the crap.

Weired stuff has been happening, in some spots the bird mess has actually peeled and flaked off paint, down to the primer.

The most annoying thing today- the recent high winds, having decimated the tarp that was over the boom, had also undone my boom cover so that there is now bird crap all over my main sail.:mad:

Makes me very unhappy.
I have covered it up (properly now) and shall try to deal with it later.

This stuff is so hard to get rid of.

Aside from getting rid of the birds- (next time I go out I am going to try to net the whole boat)
any magic remedies of getting rid of the crap?

Much obliged.

Hans.

[Hotel Lima]

I was a part of the disecting team on the Mig-25, It's radar is powerfull enough to kill rabbits on the side of the runways.

[Smoothride]

Hotel Lima;

Victor Belyenko's Mig 25? In Japan?

Cheers,

SR

[longliner45]

hans in the fall of the year the birds eat berrys,,high in acid , that why it goes to the primer,,

[Smoothride]

Longliner;


Why do you know that???? :D So if I ate a bunch of berries and crapped/peed on my car, the paint would come off? Fascinating! Boy, you could get back at enemies by eating lots of fruit/berries, then relieve yourself on their cars.

I saw a boat in the marina the other day that had a bunch of strips of some kind of paper/material that rustled in the wind hanging off every imaginable vertical surface/ standing rigging etc...

I believe I've seen plastic owls mounted on them too. Liveaboards with dogs are probably safe (I wonder if my little Bichon would do the trick, they might just caw/peep/cackle/squawk at him :) ).

What the hell is wrong with me, it's 4:20am on a Saturday and I'm writing to no one on a forum, because no one esle is awake. I'm going back to sleep. See y'all.

SR

[longliner45]

yes its 4am and we are talking about bird crap,,,,,,,,,,is there a shrink in the house?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if there is im sure he is busy,,,,,,,lol,longliner

[safewalrus]

Some people will write anything at four in the morning - all sensible people should be asleep - ships watchkeepers 'aint sensible! I know I was one! just took a few years to find out is all (and 'liner good job I aint no Yank I'd have NEVER found out!!);)

[Poida]

smoothrider remember this is an international forum we are wide awake on the other side of the world. In fact we are having Sunday while you are still having Saturday, meaning we can read your posts before you've written them.

[Smoothride]

Roger that Poida;

I sure wasn't thinking about that at 4am, but yup, I'm well aware of time zones, international date line etc (when I'm awake :) )... I deal with zulu time (GMT) every day.

Regards/SR

[jimisbell]

My boat is tied alongside just 100 feet from where a shrimp boat is also tied alongside. I used to have Guls and Cormorants both and sometimes a Heron sitting on my boat. The mes was terrible. ESPCIALLY from a giant Blue Heron. He alone was worse than all the other birds.

Now my boat is clean all the time.

I bought an owl that has a rotating head from Wal Mart in the garden center. The original price was $20 but I got it on sale for only $8. The wind causes the head to rotate slowly or if there is no wind, the rocking of the boat will also cause the head to rotate.

The boat is always clean now. The guls dont even want to sit on it when the shrimper is culling his catch!!!

[longliner45]

dont strike me down for being off topic ,,but also for pest like dogflies that swarm your boat ,you can use a rubber dragonfly ,,,poof there gone,,,,,,,,,,and if welly were here we could all get shunken heads to ward off evil,,,,longliner

[jimisbell]

Here on the Third Coast we have some very vicious horse flies that will attack you when you are sailing "the ditch". On a recent 35 day cruise down the ICW I noticed that when they were not taking hunks out of my head they were settled on the bottom side of the bimini. Soooo, I got a spray can of insect repellant that was 25% DEET and soaked the canvas of the bimini. The effect was immediate and lasted for 20 days. With no place to roost the flies prefered to eat beef in the feilds adjacent to the ICW.

[jimisbell]

OOOps, almost forgot another discovery on that trip. Hang a sheet of "Bounce" fabric conditioner in each of the screens on your ports and the "no see ums" will not come thru. Carrying a sheet in my shirt pocket kept them off my face while on deck. You will smell like a French Whore, but you will not be driven insane by the little buggers.

[longliner45]

I use avon skin so soft for no se ums or diesle fuel whichever I could get,

[jimisbell]

WOW, I found that diesel fuel ATTRACTED them. They were stuck all over the tops of my jerry cans where fuel had slopped. I was thinking of putting small dishes of the stuff on the bow and stern to attract them away from the cockpit.

[longliner45]

no,,you rub it all over your body and they die on you ,,,,just one more of the glamor shots of commercial fisherman,,,,by the way I fished out of leesville .fouchoin ,and barraterra pass and grand Isle,,,,,,,,,,,,you fish?,,longliner

[jimisbell]

Yes, I fish. Redfish, Trout, Shepshead, Ling, etc. No, not all in the same place..#8-)

Mostly I sail. I have two boats an Albin 25 AC Trawler for fishing and a Gulfstar 36 CC for sailing.

[longliner45]

jimisbell; you are my new best friend, dont believe what the rest of them are saying about me..trust no one .especially not walrus or student ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,or par,,,,,,

[safewalrus]

Jimisbell, longliner is absolutely true you must NOT at anytime trust or believe anything WE say about Longliner; who is the kindest, politest, non swearing gentleman fisherman you could ever hope to meet! :rolleyes: You of course would not believe this to be true had I not warned you first that I (and others) are prone to be economical with the truth concerning our friend Longliner!:)

Longliner is that good enough old buddy! Good job you ain't a yank or I'd have really gone to town :eek: - that's the walrus, just tooooo nice:D

[Duma Tau]

CDs work well...........mounted on thin fishing lines strung fore/aft, gulls here hate 'em. Use a bungee to demount/fit strings of CDs fast/easiyi.
Essential to have a sharp spike atop masts too................

[longliner45]

if I had a spike I know were Id put it ,,,,,,,,,,(somewere in cornwall)

[jimisbell]

Well, I dont know if its the sailboat, the trawler and fishing, or perhaps something more sinister that is attracting longliner, but, if it is the fishing, you are ALL welcome to come down for a fishing trip if you give me some notice and dont all come at the same time. If its the sailboat, same goes except that I do not allow fish on board unless its already frozen or ready to cook.

However if it is something "more sinister", I will report it to the Democrats and see how far they will run with it.....#8-)

[longliner45]

not to be off topic but my sailboat is gonna have a gutting trought,,and outriggers ,,and it will pull a small sock and doors,,,,,,,,,,thanks for the offer ,,,most graciouse of you ,,,,,,,,,sometimes we just play around a little,,,,,,,longliner,,,,,,by the way what part of the gulf are you in?

[jimisbell]

We are on Corpus Christi Bay, on the "north shore"

[Vega]

Aside from getting rid of the birds- (next time I go out I am going to try to net the whole boat)
Hans.


The system that really works in the Marinas, are nylon fishing lines over all the pontoons.

Perhaps fishing lines, pulled up to the top of the mast and connecting all around the boat would work.

Seagulls cannot see the transparent nylon and crash against it. As they cannot see why they crash, they will avoid the boat (hopefully). At least it works with the pontoons.

That’s not only noise, it hurts......perhaps that can take them to the neighbor's boat.


Hans,
I have found out that someone had the same idea... Give it a try and let me know if it works:)

[im412]

Has any one mentioned a cat yet???--- Oh thats right i did-

Perhaps some one could explain to me why a cat can not be considered.

jack...there are none so blind as those that will not see ...:D

i think they feel sorry for the poor kitty, left all alone on the boat
some secretly leave bird-seed out too... :P

[harlemriverman]

How do you keep the birds off the moored boat? Any success stories?

Chum, bird seed, bread crumbs, a Binelli auto loader with 3-1/2" 12 guage #2 bird shot, magazine extension, 10 round speed loader, and a bottle of Johnny Walker Black. Face aft.

[Man Overboard]

Has anyone tried these?
http://www.bird-x.com/products/stainless.html
They are stainless steel spikes.

I have to say, I like Sams idea about the electric fence shocker. It’s been tested, and proven. 4 or 5 birds hanging upside down from the spreaders flapping their wings has got to be scary to the rest of the flock! (Sam I laughed so hard I almost spit Coke all over the computer.)

[safewalrus]

Of interest they work on buildings in places nobody goes (ledges etc) but I wouldn't want them on my topside - if I stuck my hand on this it would hurt real bad :eek: - there again it would keep unwanted guests away! Just have to spend several hours removing them before going sailing I guess :(

[SamSam]

I have to say, I like Sams idea about the electric fence shocker. It’s been tested, and proven. 4 or 5 birds hanging upside down from the spreaders flapping their wings has got to be scary to the rest of the flock! (Sam I laughed so hard I almost spit Coke all over the computer.)

Yes, it's great fun. The Cowbirds I zap, besides eating all the food, also have the shiftless habit of laying their eggs in other birds nests and then letting them raise their whelps (cuckoos do that also), a dirty trick not neccessarily limited to birds. A problem with rigging a fencer up for boats is that you need the victim to touch two wires at once, the power and the ground. The problem could be worked out though, and if the system was also rigged up to the stanchions/railings/lifelines it would work on birds and people. Not that many people want to crap on your boat, but there's enough that want to take crap off your boat when you're absent.
I also had a catapult on another feeder that would launch squirrels about 50' into a pond. Sam

[longliner45]

would a picture of walruss do any good ,,,probably keep most of the freeloaders away too....ill try to be good ,,,,,I promise,,longliner

[safewalrus]

Argh! Longliner you've hurt me to the quick! :eek: (well they do say truth hurts!!!!!) But could you get a camera to take one? :eek:

[longliner45]

Walruss,,Ill buy you your own camera,,as I see that you had to use your penetentury mug shot for the photo by the way you look like a good size fella and that === a whole lotta ugly,,your dearest friend ,,,longliner

[EDon]

Birds on boats can be a difficult problem. Perhaps try using the Bird Spider from Absolute Bird Control. This product has stainless steel "arms" that move in the wind and is typically enough to scare the birds away. Boat owners generally place one four foot spider at each end of their boat. You may also want to consider the Repeller. This product has two rods mounted atop a base unit. The rods are solar powered and spin continuously (covers approx. 7 feet in diameter). Boat owners have also been known to attach spikes to their masts. If you would like more information or other options visit http://www.absolutebirdcontrol.com

[jimisbell]

A really cheap and effective way to scare of birds is to tie a few CDs hanging from monofiliment in the rigging. They spin in the wind and reflect the sun. Doesnt work on Mocking Birds or Grackles...they are too smart. Also I have an owl with a head that turns in the wind that does good on Seagulls.

[Submarine Tom]

Keeping a pet peregrine falcon would do the trick.

-Tom

Edit: Of course you'd have to teach him not to poop on the boat!

[WickedGood]

Go to Tractor Supply and get a 12 Volt Cattle Fence Charger.

Put up a little Electric fence on your cabin roof and over the cockpit.

Kinda like a Bug Zapper

Come to think of it adding some Black Lights may look Kinda Kool!


http://www.highlightskids.com/Science/ScienceQuestions/images/h1sciQbirdonWire.gif

[jimisbell]

OK, if that works, why not connect the output to the rigging, mast, boom, lifelines and all. That ought to keep the buggers off the boat!!!!

If your rigging is not grounded to the keel...AND IT SHOULD BE...then you could use a shore powered fence charger. OR, put an isolator in the AC line and charge even grounded rigging.

Just be careful when getting on board and dont touch anything until you shut the charger off.

I have thought about getting a car spark coil, powered from a small oscillator, to charge the deck and hand rails (oposite polarity) at night in a strange harbor (salt water on the deck really conducts well). A 12v fence charger would do just as well. The switch could be below, near where you keep the 12 ga. flare pistol that you will use to repel boarders.

[Angélique]

Go to Tractor Supply and get a 12 Volt Cattle Fence Charger.

Put up a little Electric fence on your cabin roof and over the cockpit.

And put a cable to earth on all birds . . ? ? :rolleyes:

Kinda like a Bug Zapper

Ahh, and ask the birds ‘‘would you please be so kind to sit on two wires and NOT on one ?’’ :rolleyes:

Angel

[Stumble]

Hmmm,


all the work I do to eliminate stray eletrical current on my boat and you want to add one?

[hoytedow]

Use some anti-fowling paint.:P

[peter radclyffe]

celine dion, madonna, elaine stritch, any worthless brutal neurotic diva at full chat

[masalai]

Hey wait on a minute, what kinda 'bird' are we trying to keep off ones boat? - those with a name like "Angélique" should be at least given a chance to assert that they are 'civilised' and will clean the brightwork if they make a mess on it?

Then What 'males' boat is kept in a spotless and pristine condition and begrudge occasional visits of the feminine gender? The feathered variety (monotrine?) is another topic and needs to address various myths associated with killing albatross and other species, lest the deities of the Oceans become angry...

[baboonslayer]

I'm not an expert at pest control, but I used to live in the middle of the city where pigeons were abundant. On weekends when I got bored I would sit on the porch in my back yard and wait for birds to land in the yard or on the nearby power lines. I had a loaded pellet gun, and you probably now the rest :D.

Might wanna try high freq noises, (I'm not sure if it works) like this:

http://www.soundgrenadepro.com/

If you have a computer aboard your boat, try hooking up some speakers and placing them strategically around your boat. It MIGHT work...

just my opinion...

Oh yeah, and if you like the pellet gun idea, look here:

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Stoeger_Arms_X50_Breakbarrel_Air_Rifle_Combo/2121

[WickedGood]

Maybe this would work on your boat?

http://kendallkyle.com/coyote%20getting%20in%20the%20bed.jpg

[baboonslayer]

WG, what is that?! I'm guessing some sort of dog (wolf maybe?)

[Lurvio]

Thank you guys, I've laughed my ass off reading this thread. Somewhere in the middle I had an idea, why not pull a tarp cover over the whole boat. Of course there's problems like masts on sailboats, but on motor boats it should work. You could have two covers, stuff the used one in a trash bag and wash it with a pressure washer on the lawn when you get home. You sure would have a stronger grass than your neighbour. :P

L

[Calico Jack]

We have a real problem with ducks and geese on our docks. We tied cds to a string and placed them around the dock. Not a single bird has come back.yep 100% works, local alotments are full of stings with old cd's, birds hate the reflections and movement, just make sure they are free to spin in the wind:idea:

[WestVanHan]

Ahh, and ask the birds ‘‘would you please be so kind to sit on two wires and NOT on one ?’’ :rolleyes:

Angel

I figured this concept out when I was 11 years old-two bare wires would be placed a few mm apart so the bird completes the circuit when on the roost :rolleyes:

[Lurvio]

I can say I have done my share on controlling the local seagull population. And it's not even been intentional, mostly. I've actually caught two seagulls with a tractor and not even with any great speed, just doing ordinary field work. Two years ago an adult seagul got greedy with worms or something and got stuck on some grass I was cutting. The latest incident was this summer as I was cultivating a field and a young seagull flew in front of me, suddenly dropped down and ended up cultivated.

Thought I'd share this grim tale with you guys. :P
Lurvio

[MikeJohns]

The gulls learn to associate humans and food. And they also get used to machinery vibration and noise.

A friend tried an ultrasonic device on a 50 foot sailboat, it didn't work when mounted on the cabin top and the manufacturers recommended he try it up the mast and it worked a charm when the sound came from above.

I moved my mooring recently and have been attracting a few cormorants, we stuffed some old wet weather gear made a large eyed face from a white float and paint, stuffed in the hood. We hung the effigy from the boom in the cockpit where it sways around a bit in the breeze and that's worked well on the cormorants for 3 weeks now.

The problem boats I initially posted about had all their hassles solved when a mesh grating topped floating platform was put on a mooring nearby. All the cormorants shifted to it within a half mile radius and never went near any of the boats after that.

[JLIMA]

There was a boat around here that used to get pelted with birds while at anchor, the solution, simply put wires sticking up from the spreaders. They wanted very little to do with that boat in very short order.....just a thought...

[hoytedow]

There was a boat around here that used to get pelted with birds while at anchor, the solution, simply put wires sticking up from the spreaders. They wanted very little to do with that boat in very short order.....just a thought...Probably repulsed by the thought of all those un-grounded lightning rods.