Birds are great until they decide your balcony is a public toilet. Honestly, it's frustrating. You buy the shiny stuff, hang it up, and three days later, a pigeon is literally napping right next to it. If you've been looking into This Is for the Birds strands, you’re likely dealing with a nuisance that won't quit. Most people call these "strands" flash tape or iridescent ribbon, but the brand "This Is for the Birds" specifically targets the visual and auditory triggers that make birds lose their minds and go elsewhere.
It’s not just about the glitter. It's about physics.
You see, birds have eyes that are remarkably sensitive to light and movement. When you hang these holographic strands, you aren't just decorating. You're creating a sensory overload. The sun hits the metallic surface, it bounces off in a million directions, and the wind makes the strand snap like a tiny whip. To a robin or a starling, that looks like a flickering flame or a predator's eye. It’s unsettling. They hate it. But—and this is a big but—if you don't install them correctly, they're basically just expensive streamers for a bird party.
The Science Behind Why This Is For The Birds Strands Actually Work
Most people think birds are dumb. They aren't. They’re highly evolved survivalists. To understand why This Is for the Birds strands work, you have to look at avian biology. Birds see into the ultraviolet spectrum. What looks like a simple silver ribbon to you looks like a pulsing, flashing strobe light to them.
The technical term is "visual deterrent."
The strands utilize a high-tensile polyester film. This isn't the cheap ribbon you find at a craft store. It's designed to withstand UV degradation. If you use regular Mylar, it turns brittle and clear in two weeks. These specific strands stay reflective. When the wind catches the ribbon, it produces a metallic "crackle" sound. This is the auditory component. It mimics the sound of a predator moving through brush or the flapping of wings. It triggers the bird’s "flight" instinct.
It’s a constant state of "Stranger Danger."
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Common Mistakes That Make Your Strands Useless
I see this all the time. Someone buys a roll, cuts two-foot strips, and tapes them flat against a wall. Congratulations, you’ve just given the birds some nice wallpaper.
The strands must move. Movement is the entire point.
If there is no "flutter," there is no fear. You want them hanging loose so even a light breeze—we're talking 2 or 3 miles per hour—gets them twisting. Another huge mistake? Only hanging one or two. Birds are bold. If they see a clear path to their favorite nesting spot that is only blocked by one shiny thing, they'll just fly around it. You need a "curtain" effect.
Spacing matters more than length.
Think about it like this: if you were walking into a room and there were strobe lights and loud noises, you’d probably turn around. But if there was just one flashlight in the corner? You’d ignore it. You have to create a zone of discomfort. Usually, that means spacing the This Is for the Birds strands about 10 to 12 inches apart.
Where to Actually Use Them for Maximum Effect
Not every spot is a good candidate for holographic tape. If you have a garden, you’re fighting a different battle than someone with a boat dock.
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
- Fruit Trees and Orchards: This is the classic use case. Tie the strands to the outer branches. As the fruit ripens, the birds get braver. You need the extra flash to keep them away from those cherries.
- Boat Lifts and Docks: Saltwater and wind are brutal. You need the heavy-duty version of these strands. Use them to create a perimeter.
- Balconies and Porches: This is where it gets tricky because humans live here too. You don't want to live in a disco. Hanging them from the underside of the railing often works better than hanging them from the roofline.
- Windows: Bird strikes are a real problem. Millions die every year hitting glass. Placing short, 6-inch strands on the exterior of the window can break up the reflection of the sky and save a lot of lives.
Comparing Strands to Spikes and Owls
Is it better than a plastic owl? Yes.
Plastic owls are the biggest scam in the pest control world. Birds figure out they aren't real within forty-eight hours. I’ve seen pigeons poop on the head of a plastic owl. It’s humiliating for the homeowner. Spikes are effective, sure, but they’re ugly and expensive. They also don't work for small birds who can just build a nest on top of the spikes using the spikes as structural support.
The This Is for the Birds strands are the middle ground. They’re cheap, they’re easy to replace, and because they move, the birds don't "habituate" to them as quickly. Habituation is the enemy. It’s when an animal gets used to a stimulus. Because the wind is never the same twice, the "show" the strands put on is always changing.
The Durability Factor: What You Need to Know
Let's be real. It's plastic.
Even the high-quality stuff from a brand like This Is for the Birds isn't going to last ten years. You’re going to get about one season out of them before the sun starts to win. The metallic coating will eventually flake off. When you see the ribbon starting to look dull or "cloudy," it’s time to swap it out.
Wind is the other killer. If you live in a high-wind area, the constant snapping will eventually fray the ends. Some people try to prevent this by taping the ends down, but again, that kills the effectiveness. Just accept that this is a consumable product. You buy it, you use it for the summer, you toss it.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
How to Install Like a Pro
Don't just use Scotch tape. It’ll fall off the first time it rains.
Use zip ties or small carabiners. If you're attaching them to a wooden deck, a heavy-duty staple gun is your best friend. Leave a little "tail" of about 18 to 24 inches. Any longer and they tend to get tangled in themselves. Any shorter and they don't have enough surface area to catch the wind.
If you're dealing with woodpeckers specifically, you need to hang the strands directly over the holes they've already started. Woodpeckers are territorial and stubborn. They won't leave just because there's a shiny thing nearby; it has to be right in their face.
Does the Brand Actually Matter?
Kinda.
There are a lot of knock-offs on Amazon that use thin, single-sided Mylar. You want the double-sided stuff. If it’s only reflective on one side, it spends half its time being a dull gray ribbon that birds ignore. This Is for the Birds strands are generally thicker, which means they produce a louder "crack" in the wind. That noise is half the battle.
If you're on a budget, you can try old CDs or aluminum foil, but honestly, it looks trashy. Your neighbors will hate you. The professional strands look intentional. They almost look like a modern art installation if you do it right.
Actionable Steps for Bird-Proofing Your Space
If you’re ready to stop the mess, follow this specific sequence. Don't skip the cleaning part; it's the most important bit.
- Clean the Area First: Birds leave pheromones in their droppings. Even if you put up the best deterrents, the scent tells them "this is home." Use a mix of water and vinegar to scrub the area down completely before you hang a single strand.
- Identify the "Landing Zone": Watch the birds. Where do they touch down first? That is where your first strand goes. Don't just guess.
- Create Variety: Don't just use one length. Mix it up. Use some 12-inch strips and some 24-inch strips. Chaos is your friend here.
- Check the Tension: Ensure the strands can rotate 360 degrees. If they get stuck against a pole or a wall, they lose their flash.
- Rotate Your Strategy: If you find the birds are coming back after a month, move the strands. Shift them six inches to the left. Change the length. Keep them guessing.
Birds are creatures of habit. If you break their routine for long enough, they will eventually find a new "habit" at your neighbor’s house. It’s a bit mean, sure, but it’s better than cleaning bird lime off your patio every Saturday morning. Using This Is for the Birds strands correctly is about being more persistent than the bird. They have all day to sit there; you don't. Set it up right the first time and let the physics do the work for you.