Boats and marinas have been popular aviary retreats ever since humans first set sail. To keep birds from coming aboard, hang individual Fly Away blocks throughout boat rigging, stanchions, radar mast and pulpits. For sailboats, hoist blocks to the masthead and spreaders using a halyard (secured with a light line back to the deck) to provide complete coverage of all roosting places. In covered moorage or on docks, hang blocks near rafters or anywhere birds are found to roost. At the same time, remove as many attractants as possible (See Understanding Birds). If nests are found containing eggs or chicks, wait until the eggs hatch and chicks fledge before applying blocks.
Each Fly Away block has an effective coverage of a sphere approximately 10 feet in diameter. Place blocks up to 10 feet apart. If birds continue to congregate, increase the density to approximately 6 feet apart. As they gradually degenerate, the blocks release methyl anthranilate, the active aromatic ingredient that birds avoid. When they’ve lost a quarter to a third of their original size (about 3 months), replace the blocks to maintain a bird-free environment.
“With 35+ years of growing/managing over 150 acres of cherries, I’ve battled bird issues for sure. I consider Early Robin/Rainier, Chelan, and Santina to be like bird magnetsas these varieties are the first fruit to begin ripening in the entire region. After 4 years of working with Flyaway BMS as a tool, I no longer consider birds as a major pest. Once we place the product to keep the birds away from our earliest varieties, they don’t seem to return during our normal 3 weeks of harvest. Because of the products’ longevity, we’ve also been successful in removing product pouches and placing them into Honey Crisp & Gala blocks to increase the return on investment, truly a great product!”
- Jim Kelley, grower & consultant, Kennewick, WA