FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Bird Shield Repellent?
What are the main ingredients of Bird Shield Repellent?
How does Bird Shield Work?
How is Bird Shield applied?
Does Bird Shield leave an odor or taste on crops?
How long does Bird Shield last?
Will it hurt the crops?
How well does Bird Shield work?
Do I have to remove it from the crop?
How much do I need to use?
How often do I need to apply Bird Shield?
Will Bird Shield harm birds?
Does Bird Shield work on all birds?
How do you apply Bird Shield?
Is the application rate different for different crops?
Does Bird Shield wash off in the rain?
Where can Bird Shield be purchased?





What is Bird Shield Repellent?
Bird Shield® is a food-grade bird repellent developed with major university assistance. It has been used for years in agriculture and for repelling birds from lawns, play fields, golf courses. structures, standing water and fountains. Agriculstural usesinclude apples, blueberries,cherries, corn, sunflowers, rice, table grapes, and other crops.

What are the main ingredients of Bird Shield Repellent?
The active ingredient in Bird Shield® is methyl anthranilate, a constituent of Concord as well as other grapes. Methyl anthranilate, or MA, has been used by the food and drug industry for more than forty years to flavor candy, sodas, gums, and drugs. Grape-flavored gum contains as much as 3000 parts per million (ppm). It is on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) list.
The balance of the formulation is made from the highest quality proprietary inert ingredients.

How does Bird Shield Work?
Birds find the taste and smell of Bird Shield unappealing, causing them to leave for better food sources elsewhere. Research has shown that the active ingredient in Bird Shield® irritates their olfactory nerves. When birds try to eat crops treated with the repellent, it's flavor causes them to immediately reject the food. Birds then associate the odor with the taste and continue to feed elsewhere. On large crops that have been treated with the repellent, the odor alone is sufficiently irritating to drive most birds from the orchard or field.

How is Bird Shield applied?
Bird Shield® is generally applied with ground based sprayers or by aircraft, when the crop begins to ripen or birds begin to feed on the crop. The repellent is typically reapplied at five to seven day intervals to insure complete protection. In some instances half-rate applications have been applied three to four days prior to harvest to extend protection for shorter periods.

Does Bird Shield leave an odor or taste on crops?
Bird Shield® gives off a grape-like odor, which needs approximately five to eight days before harvest for the repellent to breakdown. There is typically no measurable residual after the pre-harvest interval.

How long does Bird Shield last?
Bird Shield™ lasts five to eight days depending on cloud cover and temperature. The cooler it is, the longer it will last. On extremely hot daysBird Shield™ dissipates faster. Cool, overcast days, where the sun's rays were blocked, prolong Bird Shield's action. Bird Shield lasts longer in ponds and standing water pools, and some crops. We found it to be effective for up to 14 days on apples.

Will it hurt the crops?
Bird Shield® has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a biodegradable food-grade repellent. It will not hurt the quality of the crops when used correctly.

How well does Bird Shield work?
Bird Shield has been shown by scientific testing and substantial field experience to be an effective feeding and roosting deterrent. Within this web site you will find numerous examples of the data showing how it affected individual crops.

Do I have to remove it from the crop?
Bird Shield® is broken down under sunlight and air movement. At harvest there is no significant residue left on the crop. There is no need for any post harvest treatment to remove it.

How much do I need to use?
Application rates will vary depending upon the crop and the method of application. To determine the recommended rate for your crop, review the label and the information on this web site. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

How often do I need to apply Bird Shield?
For most growers and most crops, one or two applications has been sufficient, however this depends upon the crop and upon bird migration patterns and feeding pressure, as well as the weather, and the time between first exposure to bird feeding and harvest. Farmers should begin applying Bird Shield® when crop begins to mature and/or the birds begin to feed. For more detail, review the label instructions and the information on this web site for your particular crop.

Will Bird Shield harm birds?
No. Unlike other so-called repellents, there have been no reports of sick or dying birds after the application of Bird Shield®.

Does Bird Shield work on all birds?
Bird Shield® has been effective on all birds on which it has been tested.

How do you apply Bird Shield?
Aerial spraying is most common way of applying BIRD SHIELD®. Ground based sprayers can also be used.

Is the application rate different for different crops?
Recommendations vary with some crops. Call our office for assistance.

Does Bird Shield wash off in the rain?
No. When Bird Shield® is applied to a dry surface, it adheres to the crop until it is broken down by the sun's action.

Where can Bird Shield be purchased?
Contact our office for a dealer near you. Dealer inquiries are welcome.
sales@birdshield.com