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How remove bird poo from real grass/lawn

Hi everyone, I am looking for advice on how to best remove bird poo (mainly pigeons, sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, crows, magpies, blue tits) from our (real) grass/lawn.  Loving feeding them and seeing them in the garden but the poo is a problem.  I've localised the area where we are leaving food for them, but it is covered in bird poo.  Does anyone have advice on how to clear it off the grass without using anything that could kill the grass/insects etc?  Thank you! :)

Posts

  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Hello and welcome to the forum. 

    When it's dry it will probably just brush off with a stiff bristle brush. Otherwise use a hose with an attachment that gives you a jet setting and blast it off.

    It won't do any harm to the grass if you just leave it - but I understand not wanting to let it build up if you perhaps have little ones crawling around.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Thank you Topbird.  Yes, we do indeed have a toddler so keen to remove as much as possible (although she is loving feeding them :) ). Will try your advice.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I wouldn't advise a jet hose, too violent. Nor brushing if dry, you might inhale its dust.   But frequent watering to dilute it and wash it into the soil. It's what I do to the remains of dog poo after removing most conventionally.

    Some very dilute disinfectant might help.  Do a test first.  

    Wait until the geese come.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    A normal hose with decent pressure and a nozzle which can be adjusted to a strong jet rather than a spray will do the job.  You will never be able to remove all droppings from the lawn as most won't even be visible.  Would it be practical to put some fencing around the immediate area?
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited June 2023
    That was what I meant - a regular hose with regular pressure but with a fitting that gives a concentrated jet setting. I didn't mean a pressure washer type thing. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

    I would probably be more inclined to go for the brushing option. I meant with a long handled stiff yard broom rather than getting up close and personal so you're unlikely to inhale much - but nowadays we all have masks lying around if it is a concern.

    If you effectively 'wash' the grass every day you could end up with a bit of a mud patch which will make it harder to get rid of the poo and make everything a whole lot messier. Every few days should be ok though.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Your only realistic option would be to stop feeding the birds.  Where birds are feeding, there will also be faeces ( as you have discovered ).  It will take some time for the birds to get used to the new regime but they will eventually.  
    You say you have localised the feeding area but perhaps you could consider  paving slabs or similar hard surface  below the feeder - that would be much easier to clean on a regular basis and would be less wasteful of water.  Your daughter can still enjoy feeding her birds whilst also learning that "what goes in must come out" applies to her avian friends as well  ;)   
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