Carl, You are not too far off from the whine part. Concord Grapes that is.
I live in central Texas just north of Austin. I live on a small airpark (07TS) and have an enclosed hangar. Birds here are a tremendous problem from a nesting and poop perspective. I have swallows nesting on every fixture around the house and in the hangar. They are certainly beautiful to watch, but after a week I am cleaning piles and piles off the porch, walls windows, etc. A good friend works for the Department of Agriculture at their station near Texas A&M. They tested a product which is used in the mainstream as grape flavoring for beverages and candy. It is non-toxic and is sold under the brand name, Bird Shield... The chemical name is methyl anthranilate. Most species of birds find it impossible to bare and they do not nest or rest where it has been sprayed. It is safe for crops and it is now being recommended as a safe chemical scare crow. It is not cheap. A $100 gallon bottle makes two gallons when mixed with water. I apply it with a hand spray bottle as a mist around my fixtures, on ledges and sills. I also spray it inside the hangar. The birds stay away. It must be reapplied every 10 to 15 days. The downside is that it is about 10 times more aromatic than a NEHI Grape Soda. If you do not like the smell of grape candy or soda, then this is not the way to go. If you can stand it (it takes getting used to), it is a nice solution. At least it works for me. I have not tried spraying it under the cowl or in the empenage of the airplane. That might work... or just spray it around your open T Hangar and perhaps it will keep them out of the area... By the way, I looked to buy my own methyl anthranilate. The smallest quantity I could find was a 55 gallon drum. I may consider that if I can split the cost with the neighbors. I also want to give it more time to insure the birds do not become immune to its effects. When I was kid, we had a compounding pharmacy in the neighborhood. Mom would buy Coke Syrup (Coca Cola) and other such smelly chemicals from the pharmacist for he baking and other needs. Perhaps this is something that could be bought in smaller quantities at a pharmacy that still mixes cough syrups, etc. Good luck, John On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 11:09 AM, carl_lavon <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Friends, > > As you know, I love my Ercoupe. She's an impressive old bird with lots of > personality and I have enjoyed every minute of owning her so far. Now to the > "but..." part: I have to keep her in a T-hangar and our airport is rampant > with wrens and swallows who are very good at finding whatever hole on the > airplane to build nests. I've torn at least four out of the top of my engine > so far. One was rebuilt within a day. I had to remove the cowling to get to > it and I am not a mechanic in any sense of the word. Further, I am > physically disabled and my fine motor skills are beginning to be eroded > because of the disease I suffer with. I finally went and bought two of those > blue tarps along with several bungee cords to secure them on the front of > the aircraft--top and bottom/front and back of the cowling. This seems to > have worked but it has its drawbacks. I cannot attach the two tarps alone > since I cannot kneel down and I do not have a significant other, a friend > who flys with me, etc. The line guys have been great about pulling the plane > out for me and tieing it down when I'm fininshed flying, but the tarp thing > is outside of their duties and I hate to ask them to do it for me. > > Since I'm on a fixed income, I cannot afford to put the old girl into a > closed hangar nor can I afford $65 an hour to have one of the mechanics > remove the cowling and extract nests built there, thus the T-hangar is the > extent of my recreation money for any given month. This plane was a gift to > me and I own it outright. From the first day I flew it I knew I was hooked. > I was afraid I'd never be able to fly again, but the Ercoupe provided me > with that option and I have been really happy with it. I cannot, however, > have a plane just sitting at the airport unused. It makes no sense to me > economically. I don't want to sell it as it is one of the last things I have > that makes me feel somewhat "normal." > > What I'm asking for is suggestions on how to properly secure it from birds > that may be easier than the tarps and something I can handle on my own. Or, > perhaps, I'm just not willing to face reality and surrender ownership of > N415CB. Don't know. I'm 56, and only about five IQ points off being Forrest > Gump ;^), but I know what I like, and I like my Ercoupe. So, ideas or > suggestions or reality checks are all welcome. Thanks for taking the time to > read this. > > Respectfully, > > Carl LaVon > N415CB '46 ERCO 415C > KJVY > > >
