this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2023
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Home Improvement

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I'm a very light sleeper, so I have blackout stickers on my bedroom window. (They're vinyl sheets that stick to the inside of the window with water.) I've used these most of my life with no issue. Well, I moved from the city and my new place is in a wooded area. I'm hearing birds and squirrels bonk into the window because they think it's a little cave or something. With the heatwave it's now multiple times a DAY. I opened my window today and there's actually a small pile of dead bodies on the ground. I feel awful.

Is there anything I could do to help these animals understand my window is a black wall and not a cave?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You can buy stickers or clings that help the birds see the windows. They are called anti-collision stickers.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Second this - if you google anti-collision stickers this should do the trick. Alternatively you could also use some scotch tape (non-transparent) and tape a line across the outside of the window every 3-4 inches for a DIY fix.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How well do they work though? I’ve read that in order to be effective you basically need lines every 50-75 mm, and a few stickers aren’t that effective

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

That's true, so closely spaced markings are recommended. I had the same problem and this dotted tape solved it completely. Personally, I didn't want clip art graphics on my windows, and I like the fact that the dotted tape minimizes interference with my view outside. You can find more information on other strategies here though (like drawing deterrent patterns with bar soap).

*Two inch spacing worked for me, but you might need to make it denser depending on the species you're accidentally luring

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That tape looks really good, most unobstrusive