How do I stop birds making a mess on my decking?

Constantly having to clean up after birds that are making a mess on your decking and outdoor furniture can be a real pain. Here are some tips to try to discourage birds from perching:

• Rubber snakes – place some around the area. Ensure to move them occasionally, birds soon work out that the snake hasn’t moved for a week.
• Hang mobiles or CDs – movement can deter birds. Hang some CDs from string around the decking and the light reflection and movement may discourage the birds.
• Fishing line – attach fishing line securely (ensure it is taut so birds cannot get tangled or injured) and run it about an inch off the decking rails. This should make the site difficult to perch on. To make it even trickier, put some thin pvc piping over the fishing line, this will rotate on the line and the birds won’t be able to balance.