Birds are naturally drawn to deck railings because they offer an elevated, strategic vantage point for resting and monitoring surroundings. However, their presence quickly leads to frustration due to noise and the corrosive mess left by droppings. Reclaiming this outdoor area requires implementing practical, humane strategies that alter the physical environment and utilize sensory deterrents, encouraging birds to find a more suitable resting spot elsewhere.
Installing Physical Barriers
Physical exclusion is the most reliable way to prevent birds from landing by eliminating the perching opportunity. One common solution is the installation of bird spikes. These deterrents feature rows of blunt, stainless steel or polycarbonate rods spaced too closely for a bird to comfortably land, forcing them to fly elsewhere. The strips are typically secured using outdoor-grade adhesive or screws and are effective against medium to large birds like pigeons and gulls.
A less visible option is a post-and-wire system. This system uses small, stainless steel posts to suspend thin, nylon-coated wires just above the railing surface. This creates an unstable, spring-tensioned landing area that discourages birds from perching without causing injury. The wires are set at different heights and intervals to target larger birds, making the surface feel insecure when they attempt to land.
Another effective physical modification is the use of sloped covers, sometimes called bird slopes. These angled strips are installed over a flat railing, eliminating the 90-degree corner birds prefer for perching and roosting. This design makes it impossible for them to gain a secure foothold. Similarly, running a taut, nearly invisible fishing line a few inches above the railing can disrupt the bird’s landing path.
Utilizing Visual and Sensory Deterrents
Methods relying on visual or sensory cues frighten or confuse birds, making the deck railing an undesirable spot to land. Reflective or holographic tape and discs are simple visual deterrents, catching sunlight to produce unpredictable, dazzling flashes of light. This visual disruption, often combined with a rustling noise as the tape moves, alarms the birds and exploits their natural aversion to sudden movement and bright light.
Predator decoys, such as plastic owls or hawks, can also be placed near the railing to trigger an instinctual fear response. To remain effective, it is important to move these decoys periodically, perhaps weekly, as birds quickly habituate to a stationary object.
Scent and texture-based deterrents offer another layer of protection, particularly non-toxic repellent gels. These sticky, transparent polybutene gels are applied to the railing in beads, creating an uncomfortable, tacky surface when a bird attempts to land. Some advanced gels reflect ultraviolet light, which birds can see, creating an illusion of fire or smoke that frightens them away.
Eliminating Attractants and Maintenance
The success of any deterrent strategy begins with environmental control, focusing on eliminating factors that initially draw birds to the area. Cleaning existing bird droppings is a crucial first step, as the feces contain pheromones that attract other birds to the same location. Thoroughly clean the railing with an enzymatic cleaner or a diluted bleach solution to break down organic matter and neutralize these scent markers.
Removing accessible food and water sources is necessary to make the deck less inviting. This includes securing pet food bowls, eliminating standing water sources, and taking down bird feeders too close to the deck. Furthermore, trimming any overhanging tree branches or dense nearby shrubs can reduce the staging areas birds use before landing on the railing.