When Fly Away BMS is first applied, the aroma of MA (the active ingredient) can be strong. The scent is similar to that of grapes and garlic, and is reminiscent of a Mediterranean restaurant or farmer’s market. This strong smell is exactly what’s required to dislodge well-established birds from a place they’ve made their home. As birds relocate and time passes, Fly Away starts to break down and the scent becomes subtler – barely detectable to humans, but sufficiently strong to keep birds away.
Block Placement and Coverage
To determine adequate bird repellent coverage, estimate the area you wish to keep clear. Each Fly Away block or pouch covers a spherical ball about 10 feet in diameter.By locating blocks roughly 10 feet apart, effective coverage can be expanded to include as large an area as required. The graphic below shows how 9 blocks can cover up to 9,000 cubic feet.Because Fly Away is an aromatic bird repellent, wind will effect placement and coverage. If there’s a prevailing wind or breeze at your application site, place the blocks upwind, allowing the air current to carry the active ingredient across the desired location. In such areas, a denser block application may be required in order to counteract the effect of the wind continuously carrying away the Fly Away scent.For fruit and orchard growers, Fly Away blocks offer one of the most effective tools for bird management. To protect fruit from raiding, place several Fly Away blocks in each tree. Time your deployment of fresh blocks shortly before the crop ripens, when birds begin to smell and forage for fruit. Bulk Granule Spreading and Coverage
Large, open, grassy areas can often become plagued with ground-feeding or nesting birds. For these play field, golf course, airport or park-like environments, Fly Away granules are a safe but potent avian deterrent. Typically, no specialized equipment is required. Granules can be spread by hand, or with a common broadcast spreader used for residential or commercial fertilizer application.Granule coverage and reapplication rates depend on climate conditions and other local factors, such as food availability, nesting material, ground cover density and turf or soil conditions. In areas where fruit trees, home gardens or other consumable plants will absorb irrigation or rainwater, use Fly Away blocks in lieu of granules. Always apply the minimum amount of repellent needed to dislodge established bird populations and maintain a bird-free area. Bulk Granule Application Guide
“With 35+ years of growing/managing over 150 acres of cherries, I’ve battled bird issues for sure. I consider Early Robin/Rainier, Chelan, and Santina to be like bird magnetsas these varieties are the first fruit to begin ripening in the entire region. After 4 years of working with Flyaway BMS as a tool, I no longer consider birds as a major pest. Once we place the product to keep the birds away from our earliest varieties, they don’t seem to return during our normal 3 weeks of harvest. Because of the products’ longevity, we’ve also been successful in removing product pouches and placing them into Honey Crisp & Gala blocks to increase the return on investment, truly a great product!”
- Jim Kelley, grower & consultant, Kennewick, WA