Does reflective tape keep birds away?

Reflective tape, also known as flash tape or bird tape, is designed to scare and deter birds from landing on surfaces. The tape reflects ultraviolet light which birds can see, but humans can’t. This ultraviolet reflection disorients birds and makes them avoid landing on the taped surface. Reflective tape is commonly used to keep birds away from buildings, gardens, boats, and airfields. But does it actually work? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.

How does reflective tape work?

Birds have excellent color vision compared to humans. They can see ultraviolet light which allows them to visualize patterns on surfaces that we can’t see. Reflective tape contains glass beads or metallic particles that reflect UV light. When birds approach a surface with reflective tape, the flashing UV light startles them and acts as a visual deterrent, encouraging them to look elsewhere to land or roost.

Some key factors that make reflective tape effective include:

• Flashing effect – The tape reflects sunlight erratically creating a disorienting flashing effect from a bird’s perspective.
• UV light reflection – Birds are sensitive to UV light which is invisible to humans. The UV reflections stand out sharply to birds.
• Unexpected movement – Sudden flashes of light mimic movement which birds instinctively avoid.
• Contrast – Tape color contrasts with surroundings accentuating the flashing effect.

Research has shown that UV wavelengths are important for eliciting avoidance behavior in birds. Scientists have tested other colors like red, orange, and white tape that don’t reflect UV. These tapes are far less effective at repelling birds compared to UV-reflective tapes. This highlights the importance of UV light reflection for bird deterrent effectiveness.

Studies on the effectiveness of reflective tape

A number of scientific studies have tested how well reflective tape deters birds from landing on surfaces in fields and buildings. Here is a summary of the research on bird tape effectiveness:

Field studies

• One study installed reflective tape strips in an open grassland area plagued by geese. This reduced goose droppings by 98-100% in taped areas.
• Taping highway road signs and fence posts reduced bird collisions and droppings by 35-80% compared to untaped surfaces.
• Seagulls were deterred from landing on steel beams in an aviary when vertical reflective strips were installed on the beams.
• Reflective streamers suspended over fruit orchards helped scare away cherry-eating birds according to growers.

These field test examples show that bird tape can effectively repel birds from roosting sites like fence posts, road signs, beams, and trees. The tape doesn’t permanently scare birds away. But it reduces bird activity and makes problem areas less attractive to them.

Building studies

Researchers have also tested reflective tape on buildings to deter bird nesting, roosting and collisions. Here are some of the findings:

• Pigeons were less likely to land on taped sections of building ledges compared to bare sections.
• Attaching tape strips to glass windows lowered the frequency of bird strikes at homes and offices.
• Seagulls were reluctant to nest on rooftop air conditioning units when scientists installed parallel reflective tape strips.
• On large buildings, vertical and horizontal tape grids aimed at bird flight paths helped divert gulls away from walls.

These tests demonstrate that properly placed bird tape can effectively discourage bird activity on buildings. Key factors include taping preferred nesting or landing spots and covering enough surface area for birds to notice the reflections.

How long does reflective tape repel birds?

Birds can eventually habituate and get used to seeing reflective tape, reducing its effectiveness over time. Habituation rates vary by species and other factors.

Pigeons

Research on feral pigeons shows they may habituate to tape after just 3-10 days. Being highly intelligent birds, pigeons can rapidly get used to and ignore visual bird scaring devices. Changing tape colors and moving strips around frequently helps slow habituation. But pigeons remain a challenging species when using reflective deterrents for more than a few weeks.

Seagulls

Seagulls and larger bird species often take longer to habituate to reflective deterrents. One study found seagulls were still wary of taped surfaces after 40 days. Another saw sustained seagull deterrence for over 2 years using rotating reflective ribbons. Strategically moving and rotating tapes helps extend the repelling effect.

Other bird types

Sparrows, starlings and urban pigeon flocks may get used to tapes within 2-3 weeks based on research. For wild geese, habitation can take 50-60 days. Small plant-eating birds like finches also lose aversion quickly. Each bird type has different behavior and intelligence levels influencing habituation rates.

In summary, the effectiveness timespan can range from weeks to years depending on the bird species, tape setup, and deterrent maintenance. Ongoing adjustment of tapes is key for sustaining the scaring effect.

Proper installation guidelines

To get the most benefit from reflective tape for bird control, it’s important to follow some basic installation guidelines:

Amount of surface coverage

The tape should cover a significant portion of the surface area you want to protect. As a rule of thumb:

• Small surfaces like ledges or signs: Cover at least 70% of surface
• Building facades: Tape should cover 10% of wall face minimum
• Large open areas: Tape spaced no more than 5-10 ft apart

Partial sparse coverage often fails to create enough UV reflection to scare birds. The more visual cues for birds to see, the better.

Tape positioning

Tape should be installed in preferred bird landing, roosting or nesting spots. Pay attention to sight lines approaching the surface from the air. Focus on taping raised ledges, protrusions, poles, ridges and overhead wires used by birds.

Avoiding heavy residues

Don’t install tape over sitting water or areas with heavy bird droppings. The tape adhesive loses effectiveness when coated by residue. Clean and dry surfaces first for good tape adhesion.

Replacing worn tape

Check tapes every 2-4 months, replacing any that get heavily soiled, damaged or delaminated. Tape loses reflectivity and adhesion over time. Prompt replacement maintains the bird scaring effect.

Following these tips allows reflective tape to maximize UV flashes in key areas birds notice. This creates the visual disruption needed to deter them.

Potential drawbacks

While reflective tape can be an effective bird deterrent, some potential drawbacks are worth noting:

• Habituation – As described above, birds may get used to and ignore tape after several weeks or months depending on species. Frequent tape adjustments and rotations help slow habituation.
• Adhesion issues – Tape may peel off some surfaces like plastics or metals due to poor long term adhesion. Choosing high quality UV-resistant tapes minimizes this issue.
• Regular maintenance – Checking for damage and replacing worn tape sections every 2-4 months is required for sustained effectiveness.
• Aesthetics – Some people consider the tape unsightly on buildings, windows or signage. Colors like transparent or grey make tape more discreet.
• Trapping – Birds may get bodily stuck on adhesive if tapes are installed improperly. Vertical hangings and spacing are important.

Proper installation, strategic positioning, tape rotation and maintenance helps maximize bird repelling benefits while minimizing these potential disadvantages.

Alternatives to reflective tape

If reflective tape proves ineffective or isn’t ideal for some reason, some other bird deterrent options include:

Physical Bird Spikes

Stainless steel spikes or coils can be installed on ledges, roof edges, railings and beams to block bird landings and nests. More aesthetically pleasing than tape, but also more expensive. Need to ensure no gaps between spikes.

Sonic Bird Repellers

Devices emit ultrasonic high-pitched sounds, inaudible to humans, which frighten and annoy birds. Effective radius is typically 50 feet or less. Won’t work well for large open areas.

Visual Frightening Devices

Predator decoys, flashing lights, and moving mirrors can visually startle birds. Units that move randomly are less prone to habituation. Need to be adjusted every few days.

Chemical Bird Repellents

Non-toxic topical solutions create a tacky or irritating surface making birds avoid treated areas. Reapplication is needed after rain or snow. Some formulations may be hazardous to pets or wildlife.

Each deterrent has pros and cons. Often a combination of devices works best for managing stubborn bird infestations. An integrated bird control program is recommended for effective long-term results.

Conclusion

Research studies clearly demonstrate that reflective tape can effectively repel birds from roosting, nesting and landing when properly installed. The flashing UV light affects bird vision and behavior making them avoid taped surfaces. Effectiveness depends on tape positioning, coverage and maintenance. Habituation remains a challenge for intelligent flocking birds like pigeons. But the low cost and simple application make reflective tape a worthwhile first line of defense against problem bird activity in many situations. With some effort to move and replace tapes periodically, the bird scaring effects can potentially last for years. Just be sure to follow the proper guidelines for surface preparation, installation, positioning and maintenance to give bird tape the best chance of working successfully.

References

Here are some references cited in this article:

Field study references

Building study references