Turkey Vultures (also known as Buzzards) are large, scary birds who enjoy making noise, destroying property, and leaving carcasses lying around.
Turkey Vultures are used to living in close proximity to humans and nibbling on our garbage. They are frequently seen in farm fields or by the side of the road. However, unless something has died or you have a large, desirable property, they are unlikely to be in your backyard.
Turkey Vultures are large dark birds with long, broad wings. They have lengthy “fingers” at their wingtips and long tails that extend past their toe tips in flight, making them larger than any other raptors except eagles and condors. When soaring, Turkey Vultures elevate its wings slightly, forming a ‘V’ when viewed from above. From a distance, Turkey Vultures appear black, but up close, they are dark brown with a featherless red head and light bill. They soar in small groups and roost in big flocks. They can sometimes be found in small groups on the ground, clustered around roadkill or dumpsters.
Turkey buzzards, also known as turkey vultures, can be a real nuisance for homeowners These large, intimidating birds tend to gather in flocks and can cause damage to your property. While turkey buzzards play an important role as scavengers in the ecosystem, nobody wants them destroying their roof or leaving an unsightly mess in their yard
The good news is that there are several effective, humane ways to deter these problematic birds and reclaim your property With a combination of proven buzzard control strategies, you can finally get rid of those unwelcome scavengers for good
Why Turkey Buzzards Become a Nuisance
Before getting into buzzard deterrent options, it helps to understand what attracts them in the first place. Turkey buzzards have an excellent sense of smell and can detect rotting carcasses from remarkable distances. They perform the helpful task of clearing away dead animals that would otherwise spread disease.
However, this also means buzzards will readily home in on any decaying animals or meat scraps on your property. They may also be drawn to cat or dog food left outdoors. And once they discover a food source, they will keep returning.
Buzzards also need places to roost, preferring secluded, high vantage points like the tops of trees, roofs, and ledges. Their droppings are acidic and can damage buildings. They may also rip shingles or caulk away to access hiding spots.
By removing attractants and roosting spots, you can make your property far less appealing to unwanted turkey buzzards.
5 Surefire Turkey Buzzard Deterrent Strategies
1. Eliminate Food Sources
The number one way to deter buzzards is eliminating anything dead or decaying on your property. This includes animal carcasses, bones, meat scraps, and even dead fish floating in garden ponds. Promptly clean up any roadkill or predator leftovers.
Also prevent access to garbage cans and be sure to bag meats and fish scraps before disposal. Don’t leave pet food outdoors. With their food source removed, buzzards will look elsewhere.
2. Install Physical Barriers
Stop buzzards from roosting in unwanted areas by installing physical barriers:
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Bird netting – Drape heavy-duty bird netting over rooftops, ledges, or trees to block access. Leave a 1-foot gap between net and surface.
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Porcupine wire – Fasten this spiky wire to ledges, roof edges, signage and anywhere else buzzards perch.
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PVC poles – Insert pipes into gaps between chimney flues, roof beams and other small spaces to prevent entry.
3. Use Scare Tactics
Create a visual distraction zone by hanging Visual Deterrents, such as the Flash Tape, Predator Eye Balloon and Reflective Eye Diverters.
Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinklers are a good option for keeping turkey vultures off patios, decks or yards.
The built-in sensor detects buzzard movement up to 35 feet away, then lets loose a startling 3-second burst of water. Vary the location of sprinklers to keep birds on their toes.
4. Apply Repellent Gels
Non-toxic bird repellent gels make roosting areas uncomfortable. Apply a bead of gel along beams, ledges, railings, signage and anywhere else buzzards frequent.
The sticky, tacky texture and mild irritation encourages them to move on. Reapply monthly for continued effectiveness. Popular odor-free gels include Bird-X Avian and Bird B Gone.
5. Use Predator Decoys
Turkey buzzards are understandably skittish around predators. Set up lifelike predator decoys such as hawks, falcons or owls where buzzards frequent. Make sure the decoy is appropriately sized.
Change the decoy’s position regularly so it appears threateningly real. Adding motion triggers and sounds adds greater impact.
When to Call in a Professional
For severe turkey buzzard problems, don’t hesitate to call a wildlife control professional. They have specialized equipment, deterrents, and access solutions to clear large numbers of stubborn buzzards.
Professionals know how to legally and humanely remove roosting sites and nests when necessary. They can also install commercial-grade deterrents like the Bird X Sonic Bird Repellers.
Turkey Buzzard Control Tips
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Inspect for dead animal carcasses or rotting fish if buzzards suddenly appear. Prompt carcass removal is key.
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Hang old CDs, mylar balloons or reflective tape near roosts to scare with flashes of light.
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Apply repellent gels monthly for continued effectiveness. Reapply after heavy rain.
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Set up motions sprinklers and decoys where buzzards are currently a problem, not just areas they’ve roosted in the past.
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Use physical barriers like bird netting, porcupine wire and PVC to block buzzard entry points. Seal gaps and crevices.
Maintain Vigilance Against Pesky Buzzards
With persistence and the right combination of deterrents, you can successfully get rid of destructive turkey buzzards on your property. Just be sure to maintain vigilance; prompt carcass removal, sealing entry points, and reapplying gels will keep those unwelcome scavengers from returning.
Implement a multi-pronged approach using both repellents and exclusion solutions tailored to your specific situation. And don’t hesitate to call in professional support if buzzards still insist on loitering on your property after diligent control efforts.
Here are some of the most effective and humane ways to get rid of turkey vultures:
Most birds respond well to loud noises and scare tactics for bird removal and deterrents, and because turkey vultures are protected by state laws, you can’t use guns to scare them away. A sonic cannon, on the other hand, accomplishes the same goal without harming the birds. This propane-powered gadget emits incredibly loud sound blasts to frighten pests away from your home. Note that this is best used to frighten buzzards and ducks away from large, open areas. The loud boom it makes is 130 decibels, which may scare birds up to 10 acres away–so if you use it in the suburbs, expect neighbors to knock on your door. Note that using a sonic cannon to get rid of buzzards is not a quiet strategy! 130 decibels is LOUD and equivalent to a jet take-off or a gunshot at close range.
Tips for Getting Rid of Turkey Vultures
Despite the fact that they are legally protected because of their vital role in the environment, it’s understandable why people would not want them around their homes.
If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of turkey vultures, you should spend some time every day watching them. Keep an eye on what they’re doing and where they’re roosting if you want to keep buzzards away from your house.
One of the most crucial things to learn is where they enjoy spending their time. This will help you determine where to focus your anti-buzzard strategies, bird control methods and which tools to use.
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How to Get Rid of Turkey Buzzards
FAQ
How do you get turkey vultures to leave?
What are turkey buzzards afraid of?
What deters turkey buzzards?
Why are turkey vultures hanging around my house?
How do I get rid of Buzzards?
To get rid of buzzards, it helps to use deterrents that have several anti-buzzard features. Mylar balloons are a good example. Mylar balloons are made of a special reflective, heavy-duty material that can withstand the elements and stay afloat for weeks. Predator mylar balloons deter wild turkey vultures in three ways.
How do you deter buzzards from roosting?
Buzzards can’t grab the thin roosting spikes because they’re too small. Many vulture deterrents use light, but laser deterrents are among the most effective. Because laser bird deterrents emit spots of light that move in an unusual manner, they operate.
How to get rid of turkey vultures?
To keep turkey vultures and other birds from becoming accustomed to it, several devices include distinct light movement patterns. These also have timers that turn it on and off automatically every 1-15 minutes. It will take time, patience, and resources to eradicate turkey vultures.
How do you stop a turkey vulture from flying?
Turn it on and watch as the vulture birds attempt to perch. The electric shock is not enough to hurt them, but it will shock them into flying off. Bird shock tape is the Best turkey vulture deterrent because it’s both effective and cost-effective. Buzzards come in large numbers, so you’ll need to protect a wide area.