5 Ways to Prevent Blue Jays in Your Yard
Blue Jays are beautiful birds but are known to be a nuisance causing noisy commotions when visiting bird feeders, they will bully and chase other birds away. These birds are highly territorial and will stay around as long as food is made available. There are believed to be 17 million blue jays worldwide, their natural habitats are the pine wood of Florida to the spruce-fir forests of north Ontario. Their preference also includes deciduous forest areas and mixed wood but especially oak trees. They’re common in urban and suburban areas, especially where oaks or bird feeders are found. Blue jays diets consist of seeds, insects, nuts, and grains.
Blue Jays will sometimes raid or rob the nest of other bird species of their eggs and their nestlings, they have also been known to take small vertebrates that are injured or dead. Blue Jays build their nests in the crotch or thick outer branches of a deciduous or coniferous tree, usually 10-25 feet above the ground. Males and females both gather materials to build their nests. The life expectancy of blue jays is about seven years, if you have an issue with blue jays visiting your yard and you want to prevent them this guide will equip you with what you need to know to lessen their presence.
1. Give Blue Jays a Peanut Treat
District blue jays from your bird feeder by providing them with a separate bird feeder that is full of peanuts that has the shell, place the bird feeder a great distance from the other bird feeder. Because of the blue jays’ love for peanuts, they will be distracted leaving the other feeder alone that will be enjoyed by other birds. This trick will have the jays busy working trying to remove the peanut from the shell to eat which frees the other birds as they enjoy their seeds free from the blue jay.
2. Chase Blue Jays with Wind Chimes
Although considered bullies of the garden blue jays are afraid of noises, hanging wind chimes that are large near your bird feeder will help in scaring blue jays away.
3. Us CDs or DVDs
Tie several CDs or DVDs with strings and hang each CD or DVD from tree branches where blue jays rest or are congregating, this should scare them away.
4. Use Fake Animals
The use of fake or decoy animals will deter blue jays, and place decoy animals such as snakes, owls, or cats strategically around your lawn.
5. Install smaller bird feeders
Installing bird feeders that are small for example feeders for finches will help to reduce the number of blue jays that visit your yard.
The Benefits of Having Blue Jays in Your Garden
Although we’re looking at how to get rid of blue jays out of your yard the flip side of the coin is blue jays can be beneficial.
1. The presence of blue jays in your garden will control garden insect pests for example snails, bugs, slugs, grasshoppers, spiders, beetles, caterpillars, millipedes, and mice that blue jays use as a food source.
2. The loud sounds that blue jays make will warn other birds of predators that are approaching.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are blue jays showing up in my yard?
Blue jays are likely visiting your yard for food, water, or nesting opportunities. They love bird feeders (especially ones filled with peanuts or sunflower seeds), fruit trees, and dense shrubs where they can build nests. If your yard offers these, it’s basically a blue jay buffet!
2. Are blue jays dangerous to other birds or pets?
Blue jays aren’t dangerous to pets, but they can be bullies to smaller birds. They’re territorial and loud, often scaring off peaceful songbirds or even raiding nests. While they’re not harmful they can disrupt the peaceful birdwatching vibe you might be going for.
3. What sounds can scare away blue jays?
Blue jays are smart, but they’re also wary of predators. Playing recorded hawk or owl calls periodically can deter them. Wind chimes, ultrasonic bird repellers, and motion-sensor devices that make noise can also make your yard less inviting to these noisy guests.
4. What smells do blue jays hate?
Unlike some pests, blue jays aren’t highly sensitive to smell, but they dislike strong, unnatural scents like peppermint oil or predator urine (like from foxes or coyotes). Spraying these scents around feeders and nesting areas may encourage them to move on.
5. How can I make my bird feeder blue jay-proof?
To deter blue jays, switch to feeders designed for smaller birds—think caged feeders or weight-sensitive perches that close under a blue jay’s heavier body weight. Also, avoid feeding them their favorites like peanuts, corn, and sunflower seeds.
6. Will removing food sources get rid of blue jays?
Yes, it’s one of the most effective and humane strategies. If you remove or modify their food supply, blue jays will look elsewhere. Take down bird feeders for a couple of weeks or switch to feed types they dislike, such as safflower seeds.
7. Can decoys help repel blue jays?
Absolutely! Try placing a realistic owl or hawk decoy in your yard. Blue jays are known to mimic hawk calls because they fear them—so if they see one perched nearby, chances are they’ll stay away. Just be sure to move the decoy every few days to keep it effective.
8. Are there plants that blue jays avoid?
Blue jays aren’t known to be deterred by specific plants, but thorny shrubs like holly or barberry can make your yard less cozy for nesting. Also, avoid planting berry-producing shrubs if you’re trying to make your space less appealing.
9. How long do blue jays typically stay in one area?
Blue jays are year-round residents in many parts of North America. However, their activity spikes during breeding season (spring/summer) and fall when they’re caching food. If your yard is a convenient hangout, they might stick around indefinitely unless changes are made.
10. Is it legal to get rid of blue jays?
In most places, blue jays are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which means you can’t harm or trap them without a permit. That said, non-lethal methods like removing food sources, using deterrents, and changing your landscaping are 100% legal and effective.
Conclusion
Blue jays can become a real problem to birds visiting your yard but the good news is this guide will help you to prevent blue jays from your yard, why should you allow these birds to be the bully in your garden when you can create a blue jay free-zone by following this guide. These safe methods to scare blue jays away or distract them will send them on their way. I am sure both you and your other feathered friends will be glad that you implemented these proven methods.
