Handy Ways to Prevent Birds from Hitting Your Windows

Handy Ways to Prevent Birds from Hitting Your Windows

There are few things more satisfying than having your home’s windows cleaned professionally. Bright, clean windows improve curb appeal, make your rooms sunnier, and in general make your home feel more put together. Sparkling clean windows just make your home happier. That happy feeling goes away pretty quick, the first time a bird smashes into your nice clean window. Not only is this a jarring experience for you, but that poor little bird has also had a big shock. Protect your feathered friends and keep your windows looking great, with these handy tips to deter birds from your clean Macomb County windows.

Why Do Birds Run into Glass?

There are a couple of reasons that birds are so prone to running into clean glass. Birds will run into clean and dirty windows, and large commercial windows are especially prone to being hit by birds. The most basic reason that birds run into windows is that they do not see very well. Most birds do not have strong vision, and they can easily get confused by reflections on windows. Besides not being able to see well, birds are not good at understanding what reflections are. Clean windows can reflect the image of vegetation around your house, confusing birds to think that the windows are good shrubs or trees to hide in. And for birds that are territorial, their own reflection in a shiny clean window can look like a competing bird that needs to be shooed from the area.

Ways to Protect Your Windows

The last thing we want our clean windows to do, is to cause harm to our animal neighbors. There are a few, easy steps you can take that will steer birds away from your clean windows, keeping windows clean and the neighborhood birds safe.

1. Fun Decals – This is great if you have kids. Static cling or vinyl decals are a great way to deter birds from your windows. There are lots of great options for window decals ranging from simple flowers and insects to fun and complex holiday designs. Not only are they an easy way to decorate your home, but they break up the reflection on your windows enough to tell birds there’s a window there, not a tree.
2. Curtains – Make sure you have window treatments in your windows. Window treatments are an easy way to break up the reflections in your new clean windows. If you don’t like curtains or shades but still want to detract birds from your windows, try some Zen Curtains. These simple string curtains are easy to put up, and hard for us to see, but break up the reflection of your windows.
3. One-Way Transparent Film – A good example of this film is a product called CollidEscape. These types of film go inside of your newly washed windows. They allow you to see out your windows while displaying a pattern on the outside of the window. This pattern keeps birds away from your windows.

What if a Bird Hits Your Newly Cleaned Window?

The best thing to do is to leave the bird alone for a while. Give them time to recover from hitting your window. Most birds will come to their senses and fly away in just a few minutes. However, birds sometimes will hit windows hard enough to seriously hurt themselves or die. If this happens to you, make sure that you remove the bird from your area, being careful not to touch it with your hands. Use a shovel, gloves or dust pan, and always make sure to wash your hands well after.

Whatever you choose to do about birds hitting your windows, don’t let them be a reason to skip your annual window washing from D&H Window Cleaning. Clean windows make for a more pleasant home. For more information on our window washing services, call us today at (586) 726-2340.