How to Keep Blue Jays From Pecking at a House

Adjusting Your Bird Feeder

• 1

  If you want to keep a bird feeder in your yard, choose a hanging bird feeder that does not have any platform surfaces on which birds can perch. Blue jays prefer to perch as they feed. This will deter them from feeding on your property.

• 2

  Place the bird feeder far from your house. If you notice birds are pecking your house, move your bird feeder so it does not encourage birds to land anywhere on or near your house.

• 3

  Keep foods like peanuts and sunflower seeds out of your bird feeder. Both of these foods are favorites of the blue jay, and are likely to attract them to your property. You want to do away with anything that might attract the bird.

• 4

  If you don’t mind blue jays on your property, but still wish to deter them from pecking your house, provide the birds with a source of calcium. Hard boil a dozen eggs and peel them. Crush the remaining shells and scatter them around your bird feeder. The crushed eggshells will provide calcium so the bird doesn’t resort to pecking at your house paint, and boiling the shells beforehand will reduce the risk of salmonella.

Other Deterrents

• 5

  Attach shiny objects such as pie pans or helium balloons to the roof or side of the house where blue jays are pecking. Objects that catch sunlight and move in the wind are effective for scaring blue jays away from the upper portions of your house.

• 6

  Install a motion-activated sprinkler system in your yard. The water will reach lower areas where blue jays are pecking at your house. The motion activator will cause the water to turn on and scare blue jays away if they are in the vicinity. The water will not, however, be able to reach higher portions of your house.

• 7

  Pick a convincing looking plastic owl and attach it to your roof. The owl will intimidate and deter blue jays from landing on your roof and pecking at your house. For the plastic owl to continue working, you will need to change its location every couple of weeks.