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How to Get Rid of Grackles

how to get rid of grackles

Keeping grackles out of your property is one thing – but successfully controlling blackbirds in the great outdoors is much more challenging.

Although grackles’ population has decreased by more than 100 million they remain a pest in most areas. How to get rid of blackbirds? Removing grackles is nearly impossible and usually not legal. However, making your property undesirable is very simple. Get relief with our grackle bird control tips. Find out what products you can successfully use as behavior modification tools. Make the environment seem unappealing and dangerous to them.

Grackle Distribution and Problems

Distribution: Grackles are found in the south-eastern areas of the USA. They are widely distributed in Texas and Florida.

Gackles distribution

Grackle vs Starling: What is the difference between these two noisy birds? Unlike the Grackles, Starlings are not native to the USA. Starling’s feathers are more spotted and glossy and their bills are thin, long and pointed. Starlings will eat anything from insects to seed. When it comes to grackles, these birds have long legs and tail feathers. Glossy, iridescent body and bright golden eyes give grackles an intent expression.

Gackle VS Starling

Grackles can live for more than 20 years.

Problems: Grackles are known to flock with starlings and blackbirds forming an enormous flock. Because of their number, grackles produce an alarming amount of waste and can carry transmissible diseases. Aggressive and noisy, grackles flock to bird feeders and farm fields consuming everything in sight.

3 effective steps to drive away troublesome grackles

Getting rid of Grackles can be a puzzling task, but with the right mix of good bird control products and psychology, these blackbirds can be effectively controlled. Here is how to do it.

Step 1. Make access to the property impossible

If you need a barrier that these blackbirds can’t permeate, Bird Netting is the best solution. Netting will be especially good for small crops. Bird Netting is recommended for excluding grackles from specific areas. The product is effective everywhere when it is properly installed.

Consider the following:

  • Standard BirdNetBird Netting: Standard BirdNet – physical bird barrier that can seal grackles out of desired areas.

    Cost: $60.85

    Where to buy: at Bird-X.

    Ideal for use: crops and vineyards.

    Interesting
    Bird netting products are 100% effective. However, it is sometimes impossible to protect an entire property with barrier solutions.
    In this case, we suggest using companion products like visual scares, sonic repellers or taste aversions.
  • StealthNet bird controlStealthNet – creates an impenetrable barrier that denies grackles the access to any structure on your property.
    Where to buy: at Bird Barrier.
    Durability: The product is made of high density, ultra-violet twine that will last 10 years or more if installed correctly.
    Installation: the netting is installed to the cable with rings.
    Benefits: Stealth Net is almost invisible and is available in many pre-cut sizes and colors – black, white and stone.

Step 2. Make food sources or crops taste bad

Taste aversions work well to repel grackles from crops, berries, grapes, cherries etc. Make grackles food source taste bad and create an invisible layer of protection. We suggest using the following:

  • Bird StopBird Stop – very popular, inexpensive and working solution to repel grackles and other birds from desired areas.

    Cost: $122.75

    Where to buy: at Bird-X.

    Where to use: on outdoor surfaces

    Effectively repels grackles at: orchards and vineyards.

    Multisensory approach is the best solution for effective grackle bird control.
  • Rejex-it® Fog ForceRejex-it® – a fogging agent formulated from a food grade ingredient used for the management of the nuisance birds.
    Cost: $187.25
    Where to buy: at Bird Barrier.
    Where to use: on outdoor surfaces
    How it woks: The product requires several exposures for grackles to understand and associate the irritation to the treated area.

Step 3. Make the area threatening

Electronic devices are extremely effective against grackles. They produce naturally-recorded predator sounds that make grackles think the area is not safe. We recommend purchasing the following electronic solutions:

  • BirdXPeller ProBirdXPeller Pro – is the best-selling bird control system that produces recorded predator cries to frighten birds. To repel grackles use Version 2.

    Cost: $280.15

    Where to buy: at Bird X.

    Where to use: in outdoor areas.

    How it woks: fully-programmable system emits audible sounds that deter grackles.

    Effectively repels grackles at: farms, stables and barns.

    Got grackles in trees? Install visual deterrents in your yard. These include large eye balloons, brightly colored scare tape and owl decoys.
    The products should be installed in open areas where they are visible to the grackles.
  • Super BirdXPeller ProSuper BirdXPeller Pro – a perfect electronic system that emits real sounds to deter pest birds. To repel grackles use Version 2.
    Cost: $670.00
    Where to buy: at Bird X.
    Where to use: in outdoor areas.
    How it woks: The system emits audible sounds that deter grackles.
    Effectively repels grackles at: airports and transportation platforms.
  • Mega Blaster ProMega Blaster Pro – is a powerful sonic bird control system that uses distress calls to create a “danger zone” for pest birds.
    Where to buy: at Bird X.
    Where to use: in large, remote outdoor areas. Mega Blaster Pro is especially good for multi-acre applications, like airfields, landfills, fish farms etc.
    Coverage: up to 30 acres.
    How it woks: The system emits audible sounds that deter grackles.

Sparrows controlWondered how to make your property less inviting for sparrows? Find out what products are the most effective for sparrow control and grab some tips here.

Are you sick of having to clean up after starlings? Here, you can learn about a great variety of excellent products that will make starling control much more successful.

Got woodpecker damage on your property? Woodpeckers can be particularly destructive. This link will provide you with working tips on how to control woodpeckers.

Top 3 excellent grackle proof bird feeders you need to know

Are those noisy grackles ruining your life stealing bird seeds from your beloved wild birds? Don’t let them do it!

Consider the following top-rated bird-feeders that act as repellents:

  1. Bird Feeder Grackle and Trash Bird ProofBird Feeder Grackle and Trash Bird Proof – simplest-to-setup product that works perfectly for all wild birds including grackles.

    Cost: $74.97

    Where to buy: available on Amazon

    Grackles are smart birds and can become used to static scare tactics – designed to look like predators.
    To keep your yard grackle free, use more than one method of deterrent.
  2. Grackle Proof Bird Feeder by RollerFeederGrackle Proof Bird Feeder by RollerFeeder – effective against nuisance grackles. The product completely eliminates bird feeder problems from large nuisance birds that disrupt bird feeders.
    Cost: from $60.00
    Where to buy: at www.RollerFeeder.com
  3. Grackle Proof Bird FeederGrackle Proof Bird Feeder – caged sunflower seed tube feeder that keeps grackles on the outside from eating the seed. Bird feeder has decorative cage design and four seed ports. The product works well with any of Deck Bird Feeder Poles.
    Cost: from $ 49.95
    Where to buy: at www.Backyardwildbirds.com

Best method for successful grackle control

Using multisensory approach – visual, auditory and taste deterrents – will have a greater effect on smart, stubborn grackles.

The combination of different deterrents will irritate and confuse grackles making the treated area undesirable and encouraging these black and noisy birds to find a more pleasant and hospitable place.

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