How to Get Rid of Roosting Vultures

Turkey vultures are not hard to spot. They have a red featherless head -- resembling that of a turkey -- and soar a bit unevenly at lower levels than hawks, their V-shape easy to recognize in the sky. Contrary to popular belief, turkey vultures are actually clean and useful animals. Because of their extremely efficient digestive system, they eat what would otherwise be germ-ridden carcasses, and their feces contain acids that kill harmful bacteria. However, if they are disturbed or feel threatened, they may regurgitate. They roost, often in large groups, on high perches like trees to avoid potential predators. If you have turkey vultures that have invaded your property, you may already know that they are very difficult to get rid of.

Things You'll Need

• Large, shiny metal objects that you can hang together
• Garden hose
• Loud brass instrument, such as a trumpet
• Motion-activated sprinkler
• Permit from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

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Instructions

• 1

  Hang large, shiny metal objects, like pots and pans, closely together on the tree or other object where the vultures are roosting, recommends the Vultures Homestead website. The noise should scare the vultures away. However, once the vultures get accustomed to the noise and they see no threat, they may return.

• 2

  Spray the vultures with strong streams of water from a garden house. Do this in conjunction with hanging the shiny objects, as the two methods combined may prove a more efficient deterrent.

• 3

  Blast sounds from a loud instrument, such as a trumpet, just underneath the vultures' roost.

• 4

  Make other loud noises, such as yelling or blowing your car horn.

• 5

  Shake the trees, if this is where the vultures are roosting, several times a day.

• 6

  Purchase a motion sensor sprinkler system that can be mounted on a rooftop near the places where vultures are roosting, suggests the Vulture Society. Every time the vultures approach to roost, they will be sprayed by water, and will most likely leave.

• 7

  Obtain a permit from the USDA to kill or otherwise harm the vultures. In rare instances, when the vultures have done severe damage to your property or hurt or killed livestock or pets, and you have taken nonlethal methods to disperse them, the USDA may grant you a permit to kill the vultures. Vultures are federally protected birds, and may not be injured or killed without a permit. USDA officials are permitted to kill the vultures until the flock leaves, according to the "Washington Examiner."