How to Keep Birds Out Of Your Canopy

Jun 5, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Mar 18

Birds are fun to watch, except when they keep swooping down into your canopy, building nests, and sitting around in your boat more than you do. They are difficult to keep away, but there are some special tricks you can try to make it so they don't keep coming back.

Solar Powered Owl

Solar-powered owls are the oldest trick in the book for keeping birds out of your canopy. Birds do not like owls, as they are afraid that if they get too close to them, they will eat them. Your solar-powered owl should be attached to the top of the canopy or on the outer deck of your boat. The head of the owl will move back and forth so that the replica looks like it is a live owl looking for a snack!

Plastic owl statue with bright yellow eyes, brown and beige feathers, perched on a faux wooden stump. The background is plain white.

Reflective Devices

Hanging reflective devices from your canopy will keep birds from coming into your canopy. The reflective devices will disrupt their vision when the sunlight hits them. You can use things like these Bird Repellent Reflective Scare Rods from Walmart for this. Be sure to hang them with enough slack so they can move in the wind for the sunlight to hit them.

CDs hang on strings against a blurred green and blue sky background, creating a shimmering effect. Text reads "How to Keep Birds off Your Decks."

Roof Deterrents

Roof deterrents are designed to scare birds away so they do not even think about coming near the canopy. Long, thin metallic arms stick out, move in the wind, and reflect sunlight. Like this Bird Spider 360 Spinning Bird Deterrent from Home Depot. These long arms look like something is reaching out from the canopy, which keeps the birds from coming near it.

Blue boat cover with a circular device featuring radiating wires on top. It's docked by the water. The mood is peaceful and technical.

Sonar Repelent

Another option for repelling birds from your boat lift canopy cover is using sonar technology. These devices emit high-frequency sound waves that birds find irritating, encouraging them to stay away from your lift and canopy area—without harming them. It’s a simple, hands-off solution that helps keep your canopy cleaner and protected.

Green solar-powered bird repeller emits lights and sound. Surrounded by various flying birds. Set against a plain white background.

Keeping the birds away from your boat can be a task. If you happen to find a nest in your canopy, you may need to call animal control to remove it for you so you do not cause damage to the nest itself or the eggs.