How To Keep Away Magpies

How to Keep Magpies Away From Your Property

Magpies, with their intelligence and striking appearance, can be both fascinating and frustrating. While they contribute to the ecosystem, their scavenging habits and sometimes aggressive behavior can be problematic for homeowners. This guide provides effective and humane strategies to deter magpies from your property without harming them.

Understanding Magpie Behavior

Before implementing any deterrent, understanding magpie behavior is crucial. Magpies are highly intelligent birds, known for their problem-solving skills and memory. They're also territorial and will aggressively defend their nests and food sources. This understanding informs the strategies we'll discuss.

What Attracts Magpies to Your Property?

Magpies are attracted to several factors:

• Food sources: Easily accessible food, such as pet food left outdoors, uncovered garbage, or fallen fruit, is a major draw.
• Nesting sites: Areas with dense vegetation, tall trees, and sheltered spaces provide ideal nesting locations.
• Water sources: Access to water, especially during dry periods, is essential for magpies.

Effective and Humane Magpie Deterrents

The key is to make your property less attractive and more challenging for magpies. Here are some methods:

1. Remove Food Sources

• Secure garbage cans: Invest in sturdy, well-sealed garbage bins to prevent magpies from accessing food scraps.
• Clean up spills and messes promptly: Don't leave food lying around, whether it's pet food, birdseed, or fallen fruit.
• Feed pets indoors: Keep pet food indoors to avoid attracting magpies.

2. Modify Your Landscape

• Trim overgrown vegetation: Reduce dense bushes and shrubs that provide cover and nesting sites for magpies.
• Remove potential nesting materials: Clear away debris and materials magpies might use for nest building.
• Install netting: Protect vulnerable areas, such as fruit trees, with netting to prevent magpies from accessing the fruit.

3. Visual and Auditory Deterrents

• Shiny objects: Hang reflective objects like streamers, Mylar balloons, or old CDs from trees and bushes. The movement and glint will scare them away.
• Predatory bird decoys: Place realistic decoys of predators, such as owls or hawks, in strategic locations.
• Motion-activated sprinklers: These devices detect movement and spray water, startling magpies and deterring them from approaching. This is a particularly effective method.
• Ultrasonic devices: While the effectiveness is debated, some ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to magpies but inaudible to humans.

4. Exclusion Methods

• Bird netting: Protect specific areas, such as vegetable gardens or fruit trees, with strong netting. Ensure the mesh is small enough to prevent magpies from entering.

Important Considerations

• Consistency is Key: Magpies are intelligent; they will test deterrents. Maintaining consistent efforts is vital for long-term success.
• Humane Approach: Avoid harming or trapping magpies. Focus on deterrents that encourage them to find food and nesting sites elsewhere.
• Patience: It may take time for deterrents to be fully effective. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for your situation.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage magpie activity on your property while ensuring their well-being. Remember, patience and persistence are key to achieving a balance between protecting your property and respecting wildlife.