De-Bird - Bird Repellent Reflective Scare Tape

QUICK SUMMARY:

  1. Overview: The De-Bird Repellent Reflective Scare Tape is 38 metres (125 feet) long and is most commonly used to scare and frighten unwanted animals, pigeons and other birds.
  2. How it works: The combination of sound, generated by the tape blowing in the wind, and the flickering light that comes off the reflective surface is designed for scaring the birds or animals without harm.
  3. Quick Install guide: Cut the tape into strips that are between 1 and 2 metres long. (3-6 feet) Tie or tape the ribbon strips in and around the area that nuisance birds or animals are frequenting.

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

De-bird repellent scare tape strips attached to a fruit tree.

De-bird repellent scare
tape strips attached
to a fruit tree

What is it:

The De-Bird Repellent Reflective Scare Tape, sometimes called reflective ribbon comes on roll very much like a roll of gaffer tape. On first appearance the printed tape looks to be silver in colour but on closer inspection, and by changing the viewing angle, multiple sparking colours jump out at you including bright white, green, blue, red, pink, in fact too many colours to count.

How and why does it work:

I think that this is obviously the point of this deterrent tape; its printed with tens of thousands of tiny, almost holographic, reflective squares that split the light and then reflect it back in all the colours of the rainbow.

The tape was developed as a bird and animal deterrent; the glittering reflective light that is produced by the tape is intended to scare or frighten the target species. This visual deterrent is supplemented by an audible element in that the strips of tape make a slight crackling sound in the wind.

Specifications:

The holographic reflective images appear to be printed or embossed onto a thin polyester or nylon tape.

The tape is sold on a roll that is 38 metres long (125 feet) and is 5cm wide (2 inches).

With regards to the weight; we took the product out of the pack and weighed the roll on its own which equalled 110 grams.

The product is manufactured in China.

What species is it designed to Repel:

Although the tape may have some effect on unwanted animals such as cats, deer, or foxes etc. its Primarily designed to scare pigeons and other birds.

Looking at the Manufacturer's packaging it simply says "protects your property from common birds".

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MANUFACTURER'S COMMENTS:

Here we have taken some of the manufacturer's claims that have been made on Amazon and also from the product's packaging and other reviews. Comments include:

Picture of De-Bird repellent scare tape on a roll.

A roll of reflective
scare tape

  • A visual & audible deterrent for protecting your property. The spears of light being reflected from the surface and the noise of the moving tape repels the birds.
  • Used to frighten away common birds such as pigeons, seagulls, blackbirds and other birds often found in your garden or on your property.
  • The tape is being sold as a true tried and tested product that continually delivers an excellent repellent effect.
  • Over fifteen thousand units have been distributed so far with over fifteen thousand happy customers.
  • The tape will scare birds in almost all domestic situations including balconies, ledges, fruit trees, vegetable patches and all other areas around your property.
  • Also excellent in commercial situations such as orchards, industrial sites, farms and nurseries.

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PRODUCT REVIEWS:

David Jones (Director PCRC)
The De-Bird Repellent Scare tape does appear to have some bird scaring or frightening qualities particularly in the early days after installation and if, the area requiring protecting, is classed as a "low or medium pressure area."

Low pressure area meaning an area where birds occasionally land.

Medium pressure area meaning an area where birds regularly visit throughout the day.

High Pressure area meaning an area that birds use for overnight roosting or nesting and where the desire to return is extreme.

My initial thought was to award this product only a 3-star rating due to the fact that it may only work in low or medium pressure areas and, as the birds got used to the tape, it may then lose its scariness (habituation).

The final 4-star rating that I actually awarded this product reflected the fact that the repellent tape is a very low cost option and seems to receive a huge amount of positive feedback from customers who have used the product on their own properties.

Where possible install the tape where the sun and wind can gain access to it and be prepared that it may not work as well for birds on overnight roosting or nesting sites.

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INSTALLING THE DE-BIRD REPELLENT REFLECTIVE TAPE:

Reflective ribbon tape suspended above crops.

Reflective ribbon tape
suspended above crops

  • To prevent the ribbon tape from entangling itself and causing stress, cut the tape into lots of short strips that are approximately two to three feet long. (just under a metre)
  • Longer strips of five to six feet long (just under 2 metres) can be cut which will likely improve the effectiveness but carries the increased risk of ripping particularly in high winds. Where possible assess the local weather conditions and cut the strips accordingly.
  • Where possible install the tape in an area that receives direct sunlight and also receives some wind although a ribbon strip hanging free in heavy rain may well stick to itself.
  • The tape should never be stapled, pinned or nailed into position; any puncturing may then cause the tape to tear.
  • Simply tie or tape the strips above the area requiring protection.
  • At the point at which you intend to attach one end of the tape fold it over 3 or 4 times to re-inforce it.
  • With time the tape may start to fade as a result of the sun’s UV light. If this is the case, simply replace.
  • If you are going to be using the tape to protect vegetables or other crops suspend the tape directly above using posts at either end. Twisting the tape slightly will improve results.

Our Hints & Tips:

Looking at the manufacturer’s installation instructions there does appear to be some conflicting advice. On the one hand it instructs to cut the strips short to avoid the tape wrapping around itself and causing stress but in the very next point they state that improved effectiveness can be achieved with longer strips.

Further they state that Exposing the tape to sunlight and wind improves performance but rain causes the tape to stick to itself and that sunlight causes the tape to fade.

Reading between the lines I think that it’s fairly obvious that the very things that make this deterrent work (Sun and Wind) can cause damage to the product.

As the tape is such a low cost solution, my advice would be to expect to have to replace the tape regularly so buy extra.

In my opinion the best way to attach the tape would be to stick with ordinary gaffer tape; The heavy duty silver tape on a roll that is available from all hardware stores.

Finally, in our experience Bird Deterrents often work best when installed at the same time and in combination with other deterrent products.

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