oops, i meant birds...

s/b...Sorry this isn't about plants, but I'm having a hard time keeping BIRDS from trying to nest and hangout in our patio roof right outside our backdoor. I've had to put up chicken wire in spots, but it makes to patio unattractive.

The birds you refer to are probably barn swallows. We discouraged them by squirting them with cold water everytime they came in to spend the night. Another great deterrent, and one that lets you get some sleep at night, is a circle of duct tape, sticky side out, put where they want to nest. The problem with barn swallows is that they imprint--meaning the young return to the place of their nativity and try to nest. Breaking the cycle can be done, just be patient. I do not recomment a shotgun. . . .

No, the scary owls do not work. Mirrors do work. The bright light reflection startles the birds. There are some very pretty decorative hangings with mirrors. Usually look for them near bird feeders, chimes, etc. I bought mine at Garden Ridge in the spring.

My friend had the same problem(purple martins). I set up a hardy plant under the nest and she sprayed the leaves off in the morning. She didn't want to give up the birds but hated the mess too. PJ

thanks for the advice...ya'll :)

Funny thing you mention those plastic owls. My dad has one on his back porch and I noticed the other day that it was covered in bird poop.

Right, those plastic owls don't work for long. I've had sparrows under my patio roof looking for a place to spend the night. I've tried to eliminate any convenient perching spots to deter them. I've stuffed wadded up plastic bird netting in some areas. Being black it doesn't show much.

seems like my aunt used rubber snakes.

I did use the owl decoys last summer successfully on a huge tree full of grackles. Over a matter of a few days MOST of the grackles relocated (sorry neighbor). I did buy some pretty expensive ones (good paint) and one wind-sock decoy (locked like it was flying). FWIW
J.D.

If you go to Target or other discount stores, you will see in the front where they have cd's that are free for connecting to an ISP. Grab a few of these - they're shiny/reflective - and hang them under your patio area to scare off the birds.