Flock Free makes natural bird repellents that actually work. Their concentrate formulas use essential oils to drive off pigeons, woodpeckers, geese, and a dozen other species without killing them. The products work through multi-modal deterrent mechanisms that irritate birds’ visual, smell, taste, and nerve endings in beaks and feathers, making treated surfaces uncomfortable enough that birds relocate.
Essential Oil Chemistry That Birds Can’t Stand
The active ingredient list reads like a spice rack because that’s essentially what it is. Their concentrate contains 10% corn oil, 3% peppermint oil, 3% white pepper, and 2% each of garlic oil, clove oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil, and sodium chloride. The remaining 74% is isopropyl alcohol, which preserves the oils and helps them mix with water.
All ingredients are EPA-exempt under FIFRA section 25(b), which means they’re recognized as minimum-risk pesticides that don’t require EPA registration. That’s contractor-speak for “you won’t need special licensing to apply this stuff.”
The combination attack makes this formula work. The formula contains UV-visible micro-particles only birds can see, while drying clear with no visible residue to humans. Birds see a treated surface differently than humans do. Add the smell and taste deterrents, plus the nerve irritation to their beaks and feathers, and you’ve got five different ways to make birds uncomfortable.
Mix Ratios and Coverage Math
| Application Type | Concentrate per Gallon | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 fl oz | 550 linear feet from 2-gallon batch |
| Cold Weather (≤50°F) | 4 fl oz | 275 linear feet from 2-gallon batch |
| Heavy Infestation | 4 fl oz | 275 linear feet from 2-gallon batch |
A 4 oz concentrate bottle yields up to 2 gallons of ready-to-use spray solution at standard dilution. Double the concentrate for Montana winters when temperatures drop below 50°F — cold slows down the volatilization of the essential oils, so you need more punch to get the same effect.
Coverage runs 550 linear feet with a 2-gallon batch mixed from a 4 oz concentrate. That’s enough to treat the entire perimeter of a typical residential roofline or 100 feet of 6-foot fencing on both sides.
Application Strategy and Target Species
The application schedule calls for weekly spraying for 4 weeks, then monthly maintenance. The goal is to keep constant pressure on the birds so they decide to move somewhere else. Think of it like training — you’re teaching birds that your property is uncomfortable territory.
The formula targets 13 species: pigeons, seagulls, geese, ducks, sparrows, crows, woodpeckers, starlings, magpies, jackdaws, blackbirds, swallows, and rooks. That covers most of Montana’s problem birds, especially woodpeckers hammering on cedar siding and Canada geese fouling lakefront properties.
Safe application surfaces include roofs, gutters, eaves, decks, fences, building beams, pipes, trees, bushes, lawns, docks, barns, and patio furniture. The ready-to-use version adds that it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor application, though most Montana applications will be exterior.
Company Background and Market Position
Flock Free Bird Control is a family-owned company based in Lakewood, New Jersey that specializes in humane bird control, mosquito deterrence, and rodent prevention for both commercial and residential properties. Since its founding in 2007, the company has helped thousands of commercial and residential property owners across the United States and internationally, serving over 3,000 locations including airports, stadiums, retail chains, farms, and residential communities.
Their product line extends beyond the concentrates to include exclusion systems, netting, UV paint, spikes, shock tape, and even autonomous robots for large commercial installations. The company has developed its own patent-pending technologies and products, including variable width spikes described as a unique invention.
Customer testimonials highlight effectiveness at high-profile sites — LaGuardia Airport saw significantly reduced bird populations improving safety and operational conditions, while a large condo complex in Long Beach, NY virtually eliminated bird issues. That’s the kind of track record that matters when you’re bidding commercial bird control jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does one application last?
After the initial 4-week treatment period of weekly applications, maintenance spraying is needed monthly. Weather affects longevity — rain washes it off faster, requiring reapplication. One reviewer reported results lasting over six weeks with weekly use, effectively deterring house finches and sparrows from nesting on their deck.
Q: Is it safe around pets and kids?
The manufacturer states it’s safe for use around people, pets, and livestock. All active ingredients are EPA-exempt under FIFRA section 25(b) as minimum-risk pesticides. The essential oil formula means no synthetic toxins, though direct contact with concentrate should still be avoided.
Q: What’s the difference between concentrate and ready-to-use?
The concentrate requires mixing with water at 2 fl oz per gallon standard or 4 fl oz per gallon for cold weather. The 32 oz ready-to-use bottle comes pre-mixed with a built-in hand sprayer for immediate application. Concentrate offers better value for large jobs, while RTU suits quick spot treatments.
Q: Does it work on woodpeckers damaging siding?
Woodpeckers are specifically listed among the 13 target species. The product can be used for spot treatment on woodpecker pecking zones. Apply directly to damaged areas and surrounding siding where birds are active.
Q: Can this be sprayed on gardens or crops?
The product can be sprayed anywhere bird activity occurs with the exception of crops. Use it around gardens on fences, stakes, and structures, but not directly on food plants. Agricultural applications are limited to protecting non-crop areas like livestock enclosures.
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