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In our previous guide, we covered how to remove bird droppings from outdoor furniture. But let’s be honest, birds can perch anywhere in the garden, including your pergola. And where they rest, they’re bound to leave a little something behind.
In this guide, we’ll run through some effective ways to clean up any poo, plus a few tips on how to keep the birds away from your pergola. Ready?
Remove Bird Poo from Pergola with DIY Solutions
Cleaning methods vary depending on your pergola material. Here are the three best ways for wooden, metal, and fabric-covered types:
Wooden pergola
You can’t go wrong with mild dish soap and warm water. Wood can be a bit delicate, so this gentle solution always does the trick.
How to do it: Mix a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of warm water, then use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the area. Don’t forget to dry the wood afterwards to stop any moisture damage.
Metal pergola
For metal, a white vinegar and water solution is your best bet. Metal can handle a bit of scrubbing, and vinegar works wonders at breaking down the acidity of bird droppings.
How to do it: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray it directly onto the poo. Let it sit for a few minutes, grab a soft brush or sponge, then scrub. Rinse it off with water and dry it with a cloth to keep rust at bay.
Fabric-covered pergola
Stain remover or oxygen bleach will do the trick. Fabric can absorb bird droppings, so you’ll need a stronger cleaner that’s safe for textiles.
How to do it: Use a fabric-friendly stain remover or a diluted oxygen bleach solution, following the product’s instructions. Apply it to the affected area, then scrub with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse it well and let it air dry.
Keep Birds Off Your Pergola
Birds can be lovely to watch, but when they decide to hang around your pergola, they can become a bit of a nuisance. Not only can they be messy, but they can also get noisy and even aggressive at times. Here are a few techniques that work to shoo them away:
Use reflective objects to deter birds
Hanging metal objects or foil around the pergola can do the trick. The shiny surfaces reflect light, which tends to unsettle birds as they shy away from bright, flashing reflections. Try using aluminium foil strips, reflective tape, or even old CDs to create movement and flashes of light. You can hang or stick them along the pergola’s top beams or vertical posts.
Drive them off with noise
Auditory deterrents, like wind chimes, work like magic—they shoo birds away while adding a relaxing sound to your garden (well, at least for you!). Hang wind chimes near the corners of your pergola, where they’ll catch the breeze and make a tinkling noise.
Sprinkle some baking soda
It turns out baking soda is great for both removing bird poo and keeping the birds away! Just sprinkle it in areas where they like to perch, including around your garden gazebo. It can also help if you use it around the gutters to stop birds from nesting there.
Tip: Reapply it regularly, especially after rain or strong winds, as it can be washed away.
Round-up
There you have it! When dealing with bird poo on your pergola, use dish soap and warm water or a white vinegar and water solution, or even a stain remover or oxygen bleach, depending on the material. And to keep the birds away, reflective objects, noise, and baking soda will do the trick.
Up next on your reading list: Pergola, Pergoda and Pagoda – What’s the Difference. In any of these areas where birds perch, the tips and ideas above will work.
What do you think ?