How to deter Indian Myna Birds from backyard?

Ajay1

I need some advice on how to get rid of Indian myna birds from my backyard.

So far I have:

• Removed all food scraps and leftovers
• Destroyed one nest in the gutter
• Put up a fake falcon/owl to scare them away

Unfortunately, nothing seems to work and they keep coming back.

Their poo and dirt are everywhere, very sticky, and hard to clean. Now they have started pooing around the swimming pool area and on the glass pool fence as well.

Has anyone successfully dealt with this problem?
Are there any effective devices, repellents, traps, sounds, or other methods that actually help?

I would really appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thanks in advance!

JacobZ

Hi @Ajay1,

You’ve already done a lot of the right things, and unfortunately Indian myna birds can be very stubborn once they settle into an area.

The fake owl or falcon deterrents often only work temporarily before the birds get used to them. Some people find they work a bit better if they are moved around regularly rather than left in the same spot all the time, so this could be worth trying.

Other deterrents include reflective tape, motion-activated sprinklers or motion activated ultrasonic noise emitters around problem areas. Bird spikes can also help discourage them from landing on fences, pergolas, gutters, or other favourite perching spots. In some situations, light netting around certain sections can also help reduce how comfortable the area feels for them.

It’s a tough one because most deterrents aim to discourage the birds rather than permanently stop them. A lot of the time it comes down to making the area less appealing than nearby spots, which can take patience and a combination of different methods.

Focusing on making their favourite spots less favourable and staying on top of nesting spots will give you the best chance of deterring them more permanently.

It may also be worth checking with your local council, as some councils have information, programs, or advice available for managing invasive bird species in residential areas. They may also be able to suggest options that are commonly used in your local area or direct you towards pest control specialist in your area who can help.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they have any experiences or solutions they can share, @Noelle, @mich1972, @robchin, @Dave-1 and @Noyade.

Jacob