# Need Harmless Pet Bird Repellent **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 7, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926 "2009-10-07T12:54:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/1 "2009-10-07T12:54:43Z")
I have an adorable green-cheeked conure named Griffin who is just past two years old. Now, I give my birds a lot of time out of their cages for exercise, and I do supervise them, but Griffin likes to chew on _everything_ (we think she’s female, and this is normal female bird behavior). She’s recently become fascinated with the cables behind the TV set, and the power cord on the air conditioner, “fascinated” meaning biting and chewing. The fact that it’s forbidden fruit and she gains attention from humans (No Griffin! Shoo! No!) for doing it just increases the appeal. I would like to have something I could “paint” on the cables and cords that would not harm either machinery or bird that is very unappealing to said little bird, to provide an immediate \*“bleeech!” \*feedback to discourage her newest hobby. Anyone have any ideas what will work? Invariably when I ask this in real life someone says “try hot sauce”. Won’t work. She _loves_ hot peppers! Eats them like candy. No jalapeno is safe from her, trying to take a habinero from her is like depriving a pit bull of its favorite bone. I was not surprised to find that in the wild conures are one of the species that eats wild peppers. Anyhow - any suggestions? I’m getting worn out chasing her around (she, on the other hand, is developing some very nice muscles from all this activity). ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/2 "2009-10-07T13:47:41Z")
Have you tried Bitter Apple? It works for discouraging cats/dogs/other pets from chewing on things, and is harmless but very bitter/nasty tasting. I’ve only seen it as a spray. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/3 "2009-10-07T13:54:01Z")
Yup, birds love peppers. Bitter apple spray is the only remedy I’ve seen for birds. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/4 "2009-10-07T13:59:24Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Bitter apple spray is the only remedy I’ve seen for birds. While the label may claim efficacy, I have tried it and saw no effect with a yellow naped Amazon . I know of no effective **safe** deterrent. “Sticky paper” can be used if you are right there the entire time to free up the bird should feathers get stuck. Have you tried “training” the bird? When the bird chews, re-cage it or spray with a water bottle _if the bird doesn’t like being sprayed_. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/5 "2009-10-07T14:49:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > When the bird chews, re-cage it or spray with a water bottle _if the bird doesn’t like being sprayed_. In my experience, the number of birds that don’t like being sprayed is vanishingly small. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/6 "2009-10-07T14:59:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Have you tried “training” the bird? When the bird chews, re-cage it or spray with a water bottle _if the bird doesn’t like being sprayed_. Re-caging can be effective if done properly, e.g., _don’t_ make a fuss and give the bird attention. A simple “NO!” and removal to the cage for a while. It does take time and close attention, IOW a PITA\*, but it does work if you’re consistent. Definitely be sure she’s got plenty of toys she likes to chew available, also. Trade them around so there’s always something “new” to play with. Have you tried “parrot-proofing” those items? For instance, our bird doesn’t chew PVC - so in a similar situation, I might cover the cords with a small PVC pipe. \*It’s a bird - PITA is par for the course, of course. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/7 "2009-10-07T15:33:51Z")
Yeah, can you bundle the cords and run them through a pipe or protective cover? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/8 "2009-10-07T17:01:26Z")
Seems like there used to be some kind of bitter-tasting nail polish, sold to help curb a nail-chewing habit (in people). Anything like that still on the market? (I got three sentences into the OP and thought, “I bet someone’s gonna mention hot peppers.” They sell suet blocks, for example, with cayenne in them to deter squirrels. It does nothing to deter starlings, though. Something about how they can’t taste the “heat” or whatever.) ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/9 "2009-10-07T17:10:19Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > (I got three sentences into the OP and thought, “I bet someone’s gonna mention hot peppers.” They sell suet blocks, for example, with cayenne in them to deter squirrels. It does nothing to deter starlings, though. Something about how they can’t taste the “heat” or whatever.) [Are birds immune to hot pepper, enabling them to eat vast amounts and spread the seeds?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1857/are-birds-immune-to-hot-pepper-enabling-them-to-eat-vast-amounts-and-spread-the-seeds) ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/10 "2009-10-07T17:25:09Z")
My conure is terrified of Mylar balloons. You could try tying one to the wires like a scarecrow for a while. You could also try wrapping the wires in aluminum foil, but paradoxically this may have the opposite effect. Other shiny things are attractive to my bird; for instance, he loves to attack soda cans. I think there’s something about the way the balloon floats that he interprets as a big predatory bird. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/11 "2009-10-07T19:53:18Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Yup, birds love peppers. > > Bitter apple spray is the only remedy I’ve seen for birds. The people who suggested hot sauce clearly don’t know a THING about birds. Even I, as a non-bird-person know that. Birds don’t even detect the capsaicin, while mammals do. This is why bird seed and suet cakes sometimes have hot peppers mixed in to keep the squirrels away. Bitter apple sounds like it’s worth a try. Or you could chain a cat up to the cables. I doubt the cat would approve, however 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/12 "2009-10-07T20:04:03Z")
Why does the OP want to repel harmless birds? The really dangerous ones will still get through. (Then again some men like their birds on the dangerous side.) ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/13 "2009-10-08T02:31:47Z")
Something that worked on my 2-year-old cat who likes to chew on things like a dog does, since hot pepper and bitter apple didn’t work - liquid dish soap A behaviorist I know recommended it. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, put some soap in the palm, rub together, and then grab the cord and _swoosh_ the entire length. It does leave a residue, but as long as people who may be handling the cords know it’s just soap, then it’s not too big a deal. Works like a charm. He chewed my speaker cord apart three times, but hasn’t touched it since the soap application. She recommended re-applying yearly. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Stowed\_Bob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stowed_bob/32/3312_2.png) [@Stowed\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stowed_Bob)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/14 "2009-10-08T06:20:54Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > [Are birds immune to hot pepper, enabling them to eat vast amounts and spread the seeds?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1857/are-birds-immune-to-hot-pepper-enabling-them-to-eat-vast-amounts-and-spread-the-seeds) From the article: > [@](#): > > Capsaicin sensitivity is perhaps the most well known difference between bird and mammalian receptors, although birds also seem to be insensitive to many other substances that are irritating to mammals, including ammonia and naphthalene. ( **A contrasting case is methyl anthranilate, grape flavoring, which is aversive to birds but not to mammals.** ) Has any bird owners tried grape juice? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/15 "2009-10-08T11:18:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Have you tried “training” the bird? When the bird chews, re-cage it or spray with a water bottle _if the bird doesn’t like being sprayed_. You know parrots that _don’t_ like being sprayed? They all seem to love it. > [@Sailboat](#): > > Yeah, can you bundle the cords and run them through a pipe or protective cover? You’re talking about an animal that can peel a walnut as easily as a grape and can crimp copper and aluminum wire and sheeting. I’m not sure that anything truly birdproof will be practical. > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > My conure is terrified of Mylar balloons. You could try tying one to the wires like a scarecrow for a while. > > You could also try wrapping the wires in aluminum foil, but paradoxically this may have the opposite effect. Other shiny things are attractive to my bird; for instance, he loves to attack soda cans. I think there’s something about the way the balloon floats that he interprets as a big predatory bird. Yes, she likes Shiny. She _is_ convinced the bathroom plunger is going to eat her, but we keep that as a last resort because we’re concerned that if we use it too often she’ll figure out it’s harmless. > [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > liquid dish soap > > A behaviorist I know recommended it. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, put some soap in the palm, rub together, and then grab the cord and _swoosh_ the entire length. It does leave a residue, but as long as people who may be handling the cords know it’s just soap, then it’s not too big a deal. Might try that - soap tastes gross but it’s relatively benign. > [@Stowed\_Bob](#): > > Has any bird owners tried grape juice? I might try that, but I think I’d prefer the soap as it is less likely to attract ants and other critters. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/16 "2009-10-08T11:58:46Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Or you could chain a cat up to the cables. A Cat-6 cable? ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/17 "2009-10-08T12:40:39Z")
I’ve just started tossing a towel on top of forbidden delights when our bird is in roaming mode (he goes through phases where he Must Chew On THAT Thing, and no others are interesting). Low tech, but I’m lazy and can’t see coating every inch of baseboard and every cable, Birkenstock, book, and furniture leg with something. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/18 "2009-10-08T12:50:04Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > You know parrots that _don’t_ like being sprayed? They all seem to love it. IME, most if not all South/Central American parrots (Amazons, etc) love being sprayed. African birds (Greys, Senegals, etc) like it a bit less. Australian psittacines, especially Cockatoos often hate it. Worth giving a try. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/19 "2009-10-08T12:50:06Z")
Problem is, Griffin explores under towels (also naps under them) and also shreds them. If only I could teach to shred my junk mail! She HAS stayed away from the furniture and shoes (for now). ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926/20 "2009-10-08T13:13:18Z")
Re: the grape juice suggestion, FWIW, my bird would happily eat grapes until he popped. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-harmless-pet-bird-repellent/512926.md?page=2)