Attracting Birds for Pest Control

[Alicehunter2000]

I have trying to research this subject but it seems that most bird species that eat mosquito's and other insect pests prefer open fields and bird houses away from homes. Neither of these is an option for a jungle garden on a small lot. Bat houses are not an option for me either because of my barrel tile roof ..... don't want to give them any ideas.

Anybody have suggestions for bird species that eat mosquitoes and other insects like grasshoppers and harmful beetles etc. That might do ok with dense plantings near a home? 

What's the best way to attract the insect eaters?

[PalmTreeDude]

Guinea fowl eat ticks and other insects on the ground. I know a friend who has these birds and his yard never has any insects crawling around, except maybe an ant or two. I never get bit up, the birds eat everything! Do they eat mosquitoes? I am not sure, they mainly forage on the ground in flocks, like chickens! I would recommend looking them up. 

[PalmTreeDude]

I just read they DO eat mosquitoes and way more insects than I thought! 

[Alicehunter2000]

HOA would freak out....lol... unfortunately guinea fowl not an option where I am.

Placing bird houses very high.....Would that work?

[Silas_Sancona]

Depends on the species you're attempting to attract and the season. Some will be easier than others. You might, if you have the space, start with planting Native shrubs which will provide dense cover, and produce berries. Stuff like White Indigo Berry ( Randia aculeata) any of the Bullys (Sideroxylon.. S. tenax is supposedly the most cold tolerant) and perhaps Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides). While listed for 9b+, Being that you are closest to the Gulf, plus placing these under canopy/ close to the house,warmer wall should help it survive the winters there. No doubt there should be other species around your area you could look into as well. 

Bird houses may help but also may attract PITA species like Starlings. On the other hand, your part of the state is prime for Warblers, and both Indigo and Painted Buntings, and a host of others who stop in while on their way south or north on migration.  Another idea might be devoting a spot in the yard for native Wildflowers which would be a high priority for stuff like Grasshoppers and any sort of caterpillars, thus being the spot any birds would gravitate to.

[PalmTreeDude]

2 hours ago, Alicehunter2000 said:

HOA would freak out....lol... unfortunately guinea fowl not an option where I am.

Placing bird houses very high.....Would that work?

Aw man! I think that would work (the bird houses)? I would read your other comment though, I am not at all a specialist, when it comes to birds! 

Edited September 11, 2016 by PalmTreeDude

[Alicehunter2000]

I'll check into those species thanks.....my yard is 20x110 and is absolutely cram packed with Palms and tropical looking 9a and colder hardy stuff. A lot of things haven't even grown to its full size yet. I get birds.... mocking birds, cardinals, sparrows etc....but not sure if they eat many mosquitoes. ...I have a bit of a mosquito problem due to all of the palms and other plants with a lot of shade......walk out the front door and it's blistering beach sun. 

I guess feeders and bird baths would help as well.

[Alicehunter2000]

I'll check into those species thanks.....my yard is 20x110 and is absolutely cram packed with Palms and tropical looking 9a and colder hardy stuff. A lot of things haven't even grown to its full size yet. I get birds.... mocking birds, cardinals, sparrows etc....but not sure if they eat many mosquitoes. ...I have a bit of a mosquito problem due to all of the palms and other plants with a lot of shade......walk out the front door and it's blistering beach sun. 

I guess feeders and bird baths would help as well.

[Silas_Sancona]

Definitely add a couple feeders/bird baths. Digging around a bit, looks like it would be birds like Flycatchers, Wrens, Kingbirds, Warblers, and Blue Grey Gnatcatchers that would be the most likely to pursue Mosquitoes. Most of them should show up in the yard from time to time. Others like Tanagers and Vireos rarely venture out of the woods or only pass through during the Spring or Fall. Regarding the Bird house idea, i was reading that providing next boxes can also attract Prothonotary Warblers which are Insect eaters and are high up on most bird watchers "must see" lists there in the Southeast. 

[Alicehunter2000]

Palmtalk people are such a great resource.....checked on those species and perhaps some or all are already in the area at different times of the year....need to pay attention ....going to get some various attractants and start taking pictures.

We got a major development going in across the street soon. Currently it's a beach wooded area with wetland habitat. The new developement is going to probably negatively effect the local bird population so maybe a few might fly over and take refuge in my yard if its prepared it for them.

The developers will be putting in a lot of native landscaping and we have a lot of protected areas around....so eventually things may stabalize.

The birds that are here that I'm aware of are two species of seagull, brown pelican, sandpipers, mockingbird,  osprey,  an occasional bald eagle, hawks, crows, blue jays, Cardinals, hummingbird, grey herons, white herons, swallow tailed kite (occasionally )

[DoomsDave]

Overgrown has some chickens, he can give the 411 on them.

Bats are great, except for the superstitious . . .

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Attract bats instead.

 

 

http://earthshare.typepad.com/.a/6a00e554936bef883401bb087fbdc6970d-pid.

 

 Put up some boxes in your trees.

[Alicehunter2000]

I'm afraid of the horror stories with bats and barrel tile roofs.

[Alicehunter2000]

Already battle squirrels and rats trying to get under the tiles. ...not an easy problem to fix....tiny openings are difficult to find and sometimes not able to block because of need for water drainage. 

[edbrown_III]

if your in FLorida --put out buckets of water and let tree frogs lay their eggs in em ---- they eat lots of insects --- fill up with tadpoles --- I always throw a litte dog chow in there so they grow faster === never saw any wigglers in there .  --- usually you can appease a HOA by painting the red or pink this way the store brand does nt show. Put out seeds fer the birds ---- I supplement with corn on the cob it saves problmes with squirrels --- everybody is happy --- I usually have a walmart fan where I sit out as you cant completely eliminate mosquitoes (without risking the life of your liver and kidneys) . this is what works best fer me  salute!