How to protect cars from bird and squirrel sh1t?

Sep 28, 2010 15 Replies

I park under a huge old walnut tree and this year seems to be particularly good for walnuts, which the birds and squirrels eat while perched over the cars. They then use the same perches as a toilet and having to clean the cars every day has become rather tiresome. The garage is full of "stuff" so that's not really an option. It's a double-wide drive so a normal car porch would be difficult (has anyone succeeded with a cantilevered car porch?)



I don't really want to resort to car covers because I can't see me using them every time. Any suggestions of how to dissuade the critters or shield the cars?



Help!


Get small realistic looking stuffed toy squirels and site them in the tree. And have some hanging upside down on bits of rope, with red paint for effect. The real squirels will either see them as claimers of teritory not to do battle with, or get the hint of what may happen to them if they venture a bit too near.

Or more seriously stick a particular good likeness of a creature of prey that birds and squirrels don't get on with. A hawk perhaps?

formatting link

Run stainless steel clotheslines across the drive and put a cover over them.

Strangely, that's exactly what I thought of last night after writing this plea. I might even be anchor one end on the front of the garage so only 2 poles would be needed plus either some tent fabric or sail cloth. The tricky bit might be making it look acceptable.

I have cheap (polypropylene?) tarpaulins. Some last well in the sun. You'd be best to pull it tight so it doesn't flap in the wind and annoy the neighbours.

Pick and pickle all the walnuts. No food for critters they'll go elsewhere (in more ways than one).

Another good suggestion, but the tree has been around for a few hundred years and is rather large - picking them would require a sky hook.

After some further thought I can do this without any poles. If I run a s/s wire between 2 trees (parallel to the front of the garage) I can then run 2 wires back from this first wire to the front of the garage. The cover would be stretched between the 2 wires.

Question: how can I attach the wires to the trees in a semi-permanent without damaging the trees? Some sort of strap?

One tree has a TPO on it so I think a strap of some form would be preferable.

Or a long stick but you normally pickle green walnuts so they might not knock off that easily.

Get a high powered air rifle, dual job of getting rid of vermin and keeping car clean, with added bonus of fun.

Then when you get really pleased about shooting things with fur & feathers you can get one of the BFSA stickers for the back of your car to let everyone know what you do for fun.

collect all the s*it and process it to make saltpetre and blow up some terrorist?

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required