Don’t be a Bird Brain! Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Bird Bangers

Excerpts from OMAFRA Factsheet Using Propane-Fired Cannons to Keep Birds Away From Vineyards.

The principle for best management practices for bird bangers is that their only use is to protect bearing, marketable fruit trees and vines from bird predation. The number of bird bangers operated should be appropriate for the bird pressure present. Malicious use for any other purpose must not be tolerated.

Here are some Best Management tips for propane bangers:

1. Do not place bird bangers within 125 m (410 ft) of neighbours
2. Operate bird bangers only during daylight hours, between 30 minutes before local sunrise and 30 minutes after local sunset. Do not operate bird bangers at night.
3. Place adjacent bird bangers no closer than 125 m (410 ft) to each other, unless the area of crop being protected is less than about 4 ha (9.9 ac), in which case place them no closer than 100 m (328 ft) as smaller properties are often awkwardly shaped.
4. Do not place bird bangers within a row directly in line with a neighbour’s house, as the row canopy can channel the sound towards the house.
5. Monitor bird bangers so they operate properly, especially those not on, or near, your home farm.
6. Communication is critical! Tell neighbours living within 175 m (575 ft) of bird bangers about when and how they will be operated and whom to call if there is a problem.

For more information, please refer to OMAFRA Factsheet Using Propane-Fired Cannons to Keep Birds Away From Vineyards.