The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Methyl anthranilate (methyl 2-aminobenzoate)
- Chemical class
- The label names it methyl 2-aminobenzoate and says each gallon of Avian Control holds 1.65 pounds of it.[1]
- Mode of action
- Bird repellent: it drives listed birds away from treated areas and has no IRAC insecticide group[1]
- Signal word
- Avian Control Bird Repellent (residential sub-label): Caution[1]
Timing a fog treatment
For roosting birds on buildings or trees, the label says to fog in the evening after most birds arrive but while it is still light enough for them to leave.[1]
Several treatments 1 to 4 days apart may be needed to clear all nuisance birds. For Canada geese on lawns, don't fog while they sit on nests in breeding season.[1]
Fountains and fruit
Decorative fountains without fish can be treated at 12 to 42 oz per 43,560 sq ft of water surface every 3 to 4 weeks. On fruit, repeat sprays every 6 to 8 days if serious bird damage starts.[1]
Where it is used
It is meant for birds that gather in large numbers, such as starlings, gulls, grackles, pigeons, house sparrows, crows and geese. Don't apply it when other birds or threatened species may be present.[1]
Mix it with water and keep the sprayer agitated, or add a small squirt of liquid dish soap so it covers evenly.[1]
On fruit and sweet corn, wait until the crop is vulnerable to birds, and don't spray wet plants or before rain. It can go on up to the day of harvest.[1]
When fogging, keep the outlet at least 5 feet from plants and painted surfaces. Indoors, use no more than 2 oz undiluted per 10,000 cubic feet.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avian Control Bird Repellent (residential sub-label)[1] | Avian Enterprises, LLC | 88889-1 | 20.0% | liquid concentrate | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avian Control Bird Repellent (residential sub-label) | Home lawns | Canada geese, starlings, gulls, grackles and blackbirds, pigeons, crows, house sparrows and other listed flocking birds | 12–42 oz product per 43,560 sq ft (1 acre)[1] Spray as soon as birds start to arrive and repeat while they persist. The label's ceiling is 5 gallons per 43,560 sq ft. |
| Avian Control Bird Repellent (residential sub-label) | Garbage and trash areas, buildings and structures | Pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, cliff swallows and other listed birds | 10–50 % product (v/v) per spray mix with water[1] For a 20% mix, combine 1 pint of product with 4 pints of water; for 50%, use equal parts product and water. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word CAUTION: causes moderate eye irritation and is harmful if absorbed through skin. Keep people without protective gear out of treated areas until sprays dry.[1]
Pets
Store it in its original container where children, pets and domestic animals can't reach it. The label's hazard warning applies to people and domestic animals.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label has no bee or pollinator statement. Its wildlife limits concern non-target, threatened and endangered birds.[1]
Fish and water
Slightly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Don't apply directly to lakes, ponds or streams, and keep it out of storm drains, ditches and gutters.[1]
Common questions
- Does methyl anthranilate kill birds?
- No. The label calls Avian Control a bird repellent used to drive listed birds away from treated areas.[1]
- Can I spray it on a lawn to keep geese off?
- Yes. The residential sub-label covers lawns at 12 to 42 oz per 43,560 sq ft, applied as soon as geese start to arrive.[1]
- Can I treat my pond?
- Only water bodies without fish, such as decorative fountains. The label forbids direct application to lakes, ponds, streams and canals.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Avian Control Bird Repellent master label label, EPA Reg. No. 88889-1 (EPA-stamped, Jan. 3, 2023).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/088889-00001-20220103.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06). EPA's file name carries the date 2022-01-03; the acceptance letter and stamp on the label are dated January 3, 2023.