You can keep wild turkeys out of your yard by removing any food sources that attract them. They will reduce their visits if they cannot get anything to eat. For instance, fence plants bearing fruits will attract them. Avoid having plants that turkeys love eating, like oak trees and berry bushes.
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Will mothballs keep turkeys away?
Mothballs can deter turkeys because they contain dangerous chemicals that irritate their lungs, skin, eye, and mucous membrane. Place 3-4 mothballs in a container. Cover them with a net that can allow the scent to escape, as shown in the picture below. Then position them in an area flocked by the birds.
However, unlike other humane methods of getting rid of wild turkeys at home, mothballs may not be that effective. Mothballs do not alter your yard and garden to be less aesthetically pleasing and deter the birds from invading other parts of your home.
Instead of relying on chemicals to repel turkeys, try using shiny, reflective surfaces, as they cause disorientation to wild turkeys and other birds. A sticky solution poured on the landing surface is also a possible alternative to mothballs.
Additionally, use homemade spikes on different areas of your home, including around window sills, to keep the irritating birds away.
In conclusion, although the methods provided above can help you humanely keep wild turkeys away from your yard and garden, you should use the service of experts. Wild turkey and animal removal services can help eradicate your problem conveniently, safely, and professionally.
How to get rid of turkeys in the yard without killing them
In most cases, you do not want to end up with dead turkeys around your home. They can stink or even attract unwanted pests and predators. Therefore it is much better to get rid of them naturally. Here are some ways that can help in getting rid of wild turkeys in the yard humanely:
1. Remove any food that attracts them
Wild turkeys will habitually stay around when they find food sources in your yard. Thus, avoid giving them access to acorns, berry bushes, bird seed, and food scraps or leftovers.
Apart from securing your garbage, make it a habit to prune, clear, and fence bushes, plants, and grass to eradicate potential spots for roosting.
Moreover, bird feeders should be removed from your yard until the turkeys are no longer around. Alternatively, have the bird feeders but ensure that spilled bird food is raked or cleared immediately.
Ensure your neighbor does not attract wild animals by providing them with food. You may even request your community to make it unlawful to feed wild turkeys.
2. Make noises
Since wild turkeys are scared of noises, one option is to blow a whistle or wave your arms and yell immediately after encountering them in your yard.
Use noisemaking equipment like a sealed coffee can with pennies, which you shake toward the birds.
3. Scare them with unusual objects
Unfamiliar objects may be introduced in the air or across your environment since they frighten wild turkeys. Some unusual flying objects that may scare away birds are predator kites and the throwing of tennis balls at them.
Keep wild turkeys away from your yard by building a sculpture yard of scarecrows or a 3D coyote decoy. The sculptures should change positions like living predators to make the birds uneasy and scared more effectively.
4. Protect your yard
Animals, including squirrels, raccoons, and foxes, often damage a yard and its crops. However, wild turkeys may also destroy your yard, fruits, crops, and trees.
Protect your yard by using a motion-activated animal repellent or hardware cloth. Avoid netting your yard, as it may capture animals and birds.
5. Spray them with water
Wild turkeys do not like contact with water at all. Directing water jets from a water gun, motion-controlled sprinklers, or hoses toward a turkey’s feet can startle and scare it away from your yard.
The use of motion-controlled sprinklers should be limited since setting them off by children and animals is easy.
6. Use a flash tape
A flash tape releases bright light flashes and even a crackling noise, which wild turkeys and other birds and animals fear and hate.
The flashing of the lights tricks the bird into believing it is in danger or a predator is present. The turkey will be forced to flee from your yard.
What attracts wild turkeys to your yard?
Wild turkeys get attracted to your yard to search for food. Around your house, turkeys may find and eat berry-producing plants such as beechnuts, crabapples, hackberries, blueberries, and pecans. Wild turkeys have been consuming these foods in the wild since time in-memorial.
Some grass and weeds in your yard may provide wild turkeys with edible seeds. The birds may also consume grit and gravel found around your house to achieve proper digestion
Wild birds also eat plant foliage, snails, worms, grasshoppers, slugs, caterpillars, lizards, caterpillars, and snakes. While looking for food, turkeys dig lawns, which may destroy the young grass that is not fully developed.
Wild turkeys may also come to your place to find mates and shelter. If you reside next to a forest or source of water, such as a creek, you may be visited by wild birds more than you like.
Wild turkeys feel at home in fully developed forests as they rely on the broad branches of trees for roosting. Furthermore, tall trees provide essential coverage, particularly at night, against potential predators.
Why are wild turkeys bad for your yard?
Wild turkeys are bad for your yard since they may scratch it, eat your crops, damage your plants, raid bird feeders, and scare away birds that you like watching in your yard. Turkeys molt; when they do so, they make the yard look dirty as they drop their feathers around.
The wild birds weigh about 7-24 pounds and possess long legs and big feet. Hence, they can be very destructive, especially if used for human interaction and human food. The turkeys may not fear and try to dominate people.
Turkeys that are a nuisance or pose a threat. However, do not kill them even if they mess up your yard and you fear their external parasites and infectious diseases. Instead, clip their wings so they do not fly into your yard. This is only necessary if your yard or compound is fenced and the turkeys keep flying in.
