Are you looking for a way to scare birds away from your porches and other outdoor spaces? If you’d like a bird deterrent device that works, you will love this free bird scare device tutorial.
Birds can be a nuisance, but there are ways to keep them away without harming them.
We have struggled for years with birds making a mess on our outdoor furniture and have tried several expensive bird deflectors that only work some of the time. We routinely carried cleaning supplies to the pier and outdoor kitchen so we could sit on the furniture.
Today, I’m sharing our recent discovery, and you most likely have everything you need to make the bird deterrent devices for free. You can control your bird issues and recycle at the same time.
(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)
Table of contents
What Is Bird Deterrent Devices?
Several bird deterrent devices are on the market with a wide range of price points. These devices are designed to scare birds from areas on your property.
The purpose is to prevent birds from nesting, pooping, and generally making a mess.
Some bird scare devices, such as scarecrows, are placed in gardens and around fruit trees to prevent birds from consuming your produce.
Our biggest concern is nesting and messing on our outdoor living spaces.
We have tried several bird-repellent devices and some work for a while. However, since we made our DIY Bird Scare Devices, we have not had to clean a single chair.
Free DIY Bird Deterrent Device That Works
Why spend money on ineffective devices when you can easily make one for Free by recycling old CDs?
I discovered this idea while visiting a friend’s house. I kept thinking I saw birds flying in and out of the trees. However, upon closer inspection, I saw CDs hanging from the branches.
Because they parked their cars beneath the trees, they had installed several old music CDs to scare the birds away.
We have all our old music CDs and decided it was worth trying. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle them.
How To Make A Free Bird Scare With Recycled CDs
First, you need two old CDs and some fishing line for each bird deflector.
You will need to drill a small hole in the CDs.
We used a small drill press to create a hole for the fishing line to slip through. However, you can use a cordless drill if you don’t have a drill press.
The drill press is more accurate, and it’s an inexpensive tool to have on hand for many DIY projects.
Did you know I have a list of my favorite DIY Tools and Supplies on my Amazon Storefront?
You can check here for the best deals; I update it regularly.
Place the CDs with the reflective sides facing out and align the holes.
Next, tie approximately 15 inches of fishing line to the aligned holes to secure it.
We initially added a drop of glue to hold the CDs together but found it unnecessary once they were tied together.
Insider Tip
You may ask, “Why not just tie the fishing line through the CD center?”
We found that the more the CD spins, the better the bird scare works.
The smaller hole at the top allows them to spin faster.
How To Hang The Bird Deterrent Devices
To hang the bird deterrent devices, first, determine where you want them placed.
We placed them at the openings of our outdoor spaces.
Brad added a small nail to the wooden beams and tied the other end of the fishing line to the nail.
This allows the bird scare device to hang approximately twelve inches from the rafters.
Even a slight breeze will have them spinning and they reflect off the water and sky.
Whenever I look at the pier, I see birds flying around. However, it’s just an illusion, and we have not had a drop of bird poop on our chairs since they were installed.
Other Bird Deflector Options
This project is perfect for you if you have old CDs you no longer use.
If you don’t have them, you can pick them up cheaply at thrift stores, yard sales, etc.
If you’d prefer to explore other bird deterrent devices, I’ll share a few we’ve used and links to purchase. Just click the highlighted options.
- Fake Owl Decoy – They work best if they are moved frequently.
- Bird Reflect Spinner – Pricey and bulky. I’ve not tried this, but I feel the free option would be more effective.
- Scare Rods – These are much larger and will be more visible.
- Bird Spikes – Bulky and not attractive.
- Scare Tape – Will be stationary and very unattractive.
- Bird Scare Discs – Smaller but somewhat similar to the DIY project. I feel they would be great in trees.
Other Money Saving Tutorials For Common Household Issues
These are cheap alternative and solutions to common household problems.
Why are all the Heat and Air vents in the exact place you want to arrange your furniture? There are Vent Extenders available for purchase, but we needed two, and $40.00 seemed like a lot for something hidden beneath the furniture. So here’s what we did.
How am I going to hide that ugly air exchange vent? That was the first question I asked when I walked into my new house and saw the gaping hole in the wall, right smack dab in the middle of my stair case.
This post is about the journey of How To Build A DIY Greenhouse. Because we are not professional builders, this is not a step-by-step how too with all the nitty gritty details. This post is meant to inspire you to not give up on a dream and hopefully encourage you to step out of your comfort level to take on new projects.
Are you at that stage where you’d like to downsize, move to a new location, or have a vision of SIMPLIFYING your life? These five steps will help you to make intentional decisions when planning your next move. Whether you are planning a forever home, a dream home, or remodeling an existing home, you don’t want to make costly mistakes.
Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.
Mary from Life at Bella Terra
Sunday 3rd of September 2023
Rachel, We are having such a problem with woodpeckers at our cabin. They are aggressive and territorial. I am going to try this CD solution as we have many of those laying around unused. Thanks for the great idea!
Rachel
Sunday 3rd of September 2023
Mary, I hope this helps. It's worked for us.