does blue paint keep birds away

As I mentioned before, BLUE paint applied to a porch ceiling will keep wasps

away. Not only wasps but you will find that it helps in stopping many birds from coming and nesting in the porch ceiling. And this is something that has been known for a long time.

Full Answer

Does blue paint repel insects?

The page continues: "Some people swear that blue paint repels insects, leaving a porch bug-free and pleasant during those long summer evenings and afternoons...and this belief could be seated in historical truth... "When blue paints were first used on ceilings, they were usually milk paints [that often contained lye, a known insect repellent.]

Why don't insects nest in blue paint?

As milk paint has a tendency to fade over time, people would repaint every few years, covering the existing coat with fresh paint--and fresh lye. But others theorize that insects prefer not to nest on blue ceilings because they are "fooled" into thinking the blue paint is actually the sky."

Does a blue ceiling stop birds from nesting?

I was told that it was painted blue to prevent birds from nesting in the porch area. The argument was that birds won’t nest where they see sky above them. Allegedly, the blue ceiling was enough to convince them that they were not nesting under cover but under the clear blue sky. I asked if it worked.

Do bird repellents really keep birds away?

Gel bird repellents designed to be applied to ledges, window sills, and beams are supposed to keep birds away by using capsaicin. The problem is birds don’t react to capsaicin like mammals; it won’t “burn” their feet as advertised. Don’t use ultrasonic bird repellers. As explained above, birds don’t even hear ultrasonic frequencies at all.

Does painting ceiling blue keep birds away?

Summer days seem to last longer when afternoons are spent on the porch, and a pale blue ceiling overhead helps extend the daylight into dusk. Blue ceilings are also said to deter birds from nesting there and insects from buzzing around. But don't toss your bug spray just yet.

Why are the ceilings of porches painted blue?

Gullah folklore explains that ghosts, also referred to as “haints,” were not able to cross water. In order to repel evil spirits from plantations, porch ceilings were painted a soft blue. The color was meant to mimic water in an effort to keep any haints or spirits at bay.

Does painting porch ceiling blue work?

It was used as an insect repellent. The theory was that insects would mistake the blue ceiling for the sky and set up housekeeping elsewhere. The blue paint actually did thwart insects, but not by outsmarting them.

Why do you paint ceiling blue?

Across the South, the tradition of painting ceilings blue is passed down from generation to generation. There are many stories and legends as to why, and it's not just about keeping bugs at bay. In the Deep South, a darker blue sometimes called “haint blue” is believed by some to keep away evil spirits.

Does blue paint keep spiders away?

Lore claims the insects and birds see the blue as the sky and don't come beneath it. According to a history of blue paint on Sherwin-Williams.com, today's blue paint is probably not a true deterrent for insects and birds but it once was – back when blue paint was made with lye.

Do blue ceilings keep bees away?

Well, it's called "haint blue" and may repel more than just insects, thus the name. The South Carolina Low Country, blue paint has been used on porch ceilings ands ome say this color blue extends daylight at dusk and helps keep bees, wasps and other insects away.

What shade of blue is haint blue?

light blueThere's not one specific haint blue color but it's always a pretty shade of light blue.

Do wasps avoid blue ceilings?

Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that blue ceilings do in fact keep bugs away. However, there are some personal testimonies that state they saw fewer spiders and wasps after painting their porch ceiling blue.

Does blue keep flies away?

Flies are one of the only bugs that are actively affected by colors. While designing more effective fly traps, researchers from the University of Florida found that flies are attracted to blue tones and repelled by warm tones like yellow.

What color keeps evil spirits away?

Since the ancient times, red color is believed to be a lucky color to ward off evil spirits.

Why blue ceilings are such a popular tradition?

There are two big reasons for this: A blue ceiling recalls the sky, and consequently doesn't feel quite as "out there" as, say, a red ceiling might. The second reason is that it's rooted in luxury: Historically, blue paint was quite rare, so having enough to slather on the ceiling indicated true wealth.

What color is haint blue paint?

pale blue-green tintIn fact, the pale blue-green tint is now known in design circles as "haint blue." Even if you don't believe in ghosts, a blue ceiling adds plenty of benefits from a design perspective.

How to discourage a determined nest builder?

The only way to discourage a determined nest builder is to heartlessly knock down the partially completed nests…daily.

Do barn swallows come back every year?

Well they usually build mud nests in the corners of the walls. Pretty impressive, but still. . so irritating. The barn swallows come back every year!

Does painting the porch blue keep witches away?

Painting the porch blue only keeps away witches. Birds respond better to being threatened or having their territory taken away from them.

What was the effect of a fresh coat of blue paint on the wasps?

A fresh coat of blue paint was like a powerful force that drove the wasps back away from people’s homes.

Why is Haint Blue so popular?

They believed that Haint Blue had the power to deter evil spirits because the color looked like a body of water to the spirits. The legend is that evil spirits cannot cross water bodies, so they stayed away from blue.

What Colors Deter Wasps?

Scientists have not found any particular color to deter wasps directly.

Why do wasps like blue?

There are various reasons why this might be the case. Some people claim the blue color tricks the wasps into thinking the ceiling is a blue sky or blue water, so they want to stay away from it. In any event, the color blue is effective at keeping wasps away.

Can you put a white ceiling on a porch to deter wasps?

At the same time, a white-colored porch won’t do much to deter wasps away either. If the wasps and bugs find their way to a porch with a white-colored ceiling, they will still build a nest there. On the other hand, if you were to use a blue or green color on the porch ceiling, then it would do a better job of deterring wasps from nesting on your ...

Does Painting A Porch Ceiling Blue Keep Wasps Away?

As I mentioned before, BLUE paint applied to a porch ceiling will keep wasps away.

How to stop birds from nesting in unwanted areas?

After addressing food sources , it’s time to stop birds from nesting in unwanted areas. The trick is making your property inhospitable so they go elsewhere rather than actively trying to get the birds to leave.

What are the problems with pigeons?

A pigeon problem should be taken very seriously. Pigeon nests can block ventilation systems, increase wear on your HVAC system, and block exhaust systems. Pigeon droppings are the greatest threat, capable of transmitting more than 60 parasites and diseases. Bird droppings are also very acidic and can damage everything from siding and wood to paint. It’s common for pigeon droppings to etch marble, metal, and even concrete.

Why are sparrows so dangerous?

House sparrows are problematic because they reproduce quickly and they behave aggressively to drive out other birds. House sparrows can nest in potentially dangerous areas and spread more than 25 diseases. With house sparrows, you’ll want to limit food sources and employ bird repellents and exclusion devices.

What diseases can bird droppings carry?

The risk of pathogens. Birds and bird droppings can carry more than 60 diseases like E. coli, salmonellosis, and cryptococcosis.

How do bird spikes work?

Slike to cause birds to slip. Nets to keep birds away. Bird spikes, wire, coils, and slides all work by preventing birds from even landing on off-limit areas. The right product depends on the type of bird you want to deter and the area you want to protect.

Do scare products work on sparrows?

With house sparrows, you’ll want to limit food sources and employ bird repellents and exclusion devices. Scare products won’t work on house sparrows.

Do birds have to be around your house?

Birds may be cute when they’re visiting your birdbath or bird feeders, but pesky birds definitely aren’t something you want around your home or business. Most people think of cockroaches and rodents when they think of pests but birds can be just as much of a nuisance and potential health threat when left unchecked.

Why do people paint their porch ceilings blue?

Once upon a time in the deep South, many people painted their porch ceilings a specific shade of Haint Blue, a soft blue-green, to ward off evil spirits called “haints.”. It’s especially common in the historic homes around Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Although these originated in South Georgia and South Carolina, ...

Is it true they also help to keep bugs away?

Sky blue paint might actually fool insects as well. Many people theorize that porches painted a soft blue will trick wasps and other insects into thinking it’s the sky, taking their nests elsewhere. We’ve just recently repainted our porch ceiling a new shade of blue. Originally we painted the porch ceiling blue over seven years ago and I can say we have had fewer spiders, wasps, and other bugs trying to take up residence on our porch ceiling. For a little more inspiration, take a look at this blog written in the Washington Post.

Does the Haint's Blue Ceiling deter them?

The Haint' Blue Ceiling does indeed deter them!

Can you freeze collards for Thanksgiving?

That will have to wait. Today I am pre-cooking my collards and freezing them because this kitchen will be filled with other things to cook on Thanksgiving day. Those are easy enough to take out, thaw and heat to serve.

What color is the paint on a porch?

They continue, "Southerners, especially in the area of South Carolina, have a name for the ceiling paint used on porches - a soft blue-green referred to as Haint Blue. "Haints are restless spirits of the dead who, for whatever reason, have not moved on from the physical world," says Lori Sawaya, a Color Strategist they quote. She explains that haint blue, "which can be found on door and window frames as well as porch ceilings, is intended to protect the homeowner from being "taken" or influenced by evil haints."

What does the color "Haint Blue" mean?

Bill in Gladwyne, PA wrote: "'Haint' means 'Haunt' in South Carolina, and the color 'Haint Blue' is used specifically around openings like windows and doors to prevent the entry of evil spirits into the house. I don't think it has anything to do with insects.".

How to keep birds away from my garden?

One of the easiest and cheapest natural bird repellents is aluminum foil. There are several different ways you can use aluminum foil to keep birds away. If birds are disturbing your garden, you can place strips of aluminum foil under the surface of the dirt or around any plants they are bothering. Birds don’t like the feel ...

How to scare birds away from my deck?

If birds are a problem around your garden, pool, or deck, you can purchase one (or several) predator decoys at your local hardware store to scare them away. As the birds fly overhead, they will see the plastic owl, rubber snake, or whichever other decoy you choose and won’t land near it. Just make sure you move your decoys around often or the birds will get used to them and realize they aren’t real.

What to use to keep pigeons off your patio?

Baking Soda. If pigeons and other nuisance birds are invading your patio space or window sills, try sprinkling baking soda anywhere they like to perch. Birds don’t like the feel of the baking soda under their toes and will avoid it at all costs. You can also use double-sided duct tape instead of the baking soda. 5.

What are the birds that are attracted to food?

Understanding what nuisance birds are attracted to is the first step in helping to prevent them. Pest birds such as crows, pigeons, sparrows, robins, and starlings are attracted to food sources they can find around your home (insects, earthworms, corn, seeds, and rotten fruits and vegetables). Woodpeckers are also a common nuisance bird ...

How to scare woodpeckers away from my pool?

If woodpeckers are around, hang an aluminum pie plate to the tree where you see them most often. The reflection off the plate will scare the woodpeckers off. 3. Fishing Wire. If birds are constantly landing in or near your pool, try running fishing wire high over the pool in a criss-cross pattern.

How to get rid of birds in my yard?

If there isn’t anything in your yard to attract birds they will be less likely to hang around. Most birds require freshwater to survive. Substitute saltwater for freshwater in your fountains and water features so birds won’t be able to drink from them.

Do birds like foil?

Birds don’t like the feel of the foil under their beaks and will stay away. You can also hang strips of aluminum foil (or shiny party streamers) from the trees or other high points around your home and garden. The sun reflects off the shiny surface and bothers their eyes, deterring them from coming near.

How effective is a bird deterrent?

As the wind is blowing and the sun is out, this bird deterrent is highly effective in keeping the birds away from your area.

What light do you need to scare birds away?

If you want to know how to scare birds away and if you are looking for something unique as a solution to deter birds from your area, then you need to use the DMX 800W strobe light by American DJ.

What is a good bird repellent?

Poeland Outdoor Laser is a good quality bird repellent device that you can use in your garden or patio to prevent birds from pooping all around the place.

What do birds do when it gets dark?

When it gets dark, birds try to look for shelter, but that won’t be your patio or garden.

Why are birds so annoying?

Birds can become a very annoying problem very fast. The more birds, the bigger the issue. Birds love to eat grass seeds and bird droppings are just repelling.

Why do you need bird netting?

Therefore, you need to use a good quality bird netting in your place to prevent any birds from landing and easting the seeds of those plants.

Do shiny objects scare birds away?

As we mentioned that shiny objects tend to scare the birds away, so here is another option that you can consider.