Get matched with top pest control specialists in Kodiak, AK

When it comes to keeping birds from doing their business on your porch rails, you have several DIY options and home remedies you can try: 

• Tie a fishing line from one end of the deck post to the other. Birds won’t be able to see the line across the railing, so they can’t land on it.  

• Hang wind chimes close by, which may scare birds away. 

• Apply a bird gel repellent to the railings, which contains smells that birds generally don’t like. Or, similarly, you can apply citronella or lemon oil around the railings, since birds don’t like strong smells.

You will need to discuss with your pest control expert to know when and what to clean after the treatment. Sometimes, you may have to wait a couple of weeks for deep cleaning to avoid wiping up the treatment they applied.

However, you’ll want to wipe down any surfaces you use for food prep and eating. Before the treatment, you’ll also want to make sure that items such as pet dishes and children's toys won’t be exposed to the chemicals.

Aside from a warm, cozy place to curl up, you might wonder what attracts mice to your home. Several items attract mice, including: Birdseed Pet food Water Cereal and whole grains Food scraps from the composting bin Open trash cans High-fat and high-sugar foods Unused cars—they make great homes for chilly mice Insulation in the attic Clutter Brush from your yard, including leaves, sticks, wood, and shrubs (so mice can make nests) Overgrown trees or bushes—mice love to leap from branches onto the roof Indoor nesting materials, including cloth, paper, tissues, and toilet paper Tiny cracks in the siding or foundation

If a small hive is far enough from your home and doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the health of anyone, then you can opt to leave it alone. They are still pollinators; if you have a garden, they’ll tackle some gardening work for you and produce helpful results without harming you.