Frequently Asked Questions

Bird repellant is most effectively used  as a preventative measure, which makes it difficult to calculate results. After the second application, the healthy reduction of the crop damage should indicate it’s effectiveness.

Two to three applications. 

Avex can be purchased under several different merchant names. At Corvus, we supply Avex products to various distributors around the world. Contact us directly if you are interested in becoming a distributor. 

We typically sell avex is 2.5 gallon quantities.

Great question! 

The main active ingredient in avex,  Methyl Anthranilate, is used as an artificial flavor in many heavily processed foods. Once you open a package of avex, you might even recognize the smell. While humans may enjoy thee scent, birds dislike it, and the scent irritates their scent glands. 

Yes, there is! See below:

• Efficacy of the Aerial Application of Methyl Anthranilate in reducing bird damage to sweet corn, sunflowers, and cherries.  Proc. 19th  Vertebr. Pest Conf . 2000. pg 22-25.

            Substantial starling, blackbird, robin damage reduction in all three crops.

• Bird Aversive Properties of Methyl Anthranilate, Yucca, Xanthoxylum, and Their Mixtures.  L. Clark, et.al.  J Chem Ecol, V26 (5), 2000.

            Methyl Anthtranilate proved to be the more potent stimulus in producing an avoidance response.

• Aversion of the feral pigeon and the house sparrow to pellets and sprouts treated with commercial formulations of methyl anthranilate. S. Moran.   Pest Manag Sco 57:248-252 (2001). 

            Pigeons and sparrows avoided treated food.

• Efficacy of methyl anthranilate as a bird repellent on cherries, blueberries and grapes.  L. Askham.  Proc. 15th  Vertebr. Pest Conf, 1992.  Paper 3. 

            Methyl anthranilate found to be an effective, biodegradable, nontoxic bird repellent.

• Methyl anthranilate aerosol for dispersing birds from the flight lines at Homestead Air Reserve Station.  International Biodeter & Biodegrad 49 (2002) 175-178.

            Migrating swallows and killdeer were successfully dispersed after application so that air operations could resume.

• Goose control.  A strategy for making area less attractive to geese.  #7 – application of methyl anthranilate to the grass and crops.  www.denvergov.org/Portals/626/documents/canadagoose.pdf

• “Environment:  No Trees were harmed in evicting these birds”  Use of methyl anthranilate to repel starlings and sparrows roosting in trees over parked cars which was causing a mess.  NY Times, Aug 6, 2006.

• Let them breathe grapes: starling control in Chattanooga.  Starling control in trees in central business district.  Methyl anthranilate worked after poor results with inflatable owls, noisemakers, and electronic bird squawkers. 

            www.apwa.net/Resources/Reporter/Articles/2006/4/Let-them-breathe-grapes-starling-control-in-Chattanooga

Yes, you may still use it after re-heating it. Cold temperatures are not found to have a negative impact on avex or it’s effectiveness.

The most important aspect off proper storage is to avoid storing it in a place where it will be exposed to direct light.

Otherwise, avex is resilient. It can be stored in cold and warm places, although warm is preferred. Avex is not vulnerable to damp places, or vulnerable to sparks/flame. 

We recommend wearing safety goggles and clothing that covers you. For full details, please read the product label.

No, Avex does not kill birds. Avex repels birds because it smells and tastes unpleasant to them.