Remove Bird Poop

Hello Arlene, Maybe you could extend the length of the mailbox. You could take a 2 liter pop bottle and cut off the top and/or bottom. Slip it into your existing mailbox. Let the birds poop on the bottle instead of your paper. Another thought: Call the paper supplier and ask them to have the delivery man throw your paper up on your porch. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

You can buy spike kits (like this one for $12.89: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019F8IX6/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_GN7HzbKVTGZJ2 ) to affix to the top of your mailbox so birds don't perch there. An even cheaper alternative might be upholstery tack strip.

I have the same problem since my mailbox sits under two trees! I just put a little dish detergent in a small bucket, add water and use an old rag to wash the mailbox and post and the attached newspaper box. Doesn't last too long under the trees, but sometimes the rain will wash it for me. Don't know how to prevent it unless I cut down the trees, but I don't currently have an extra $800, so it will be the rag and bucket for quite a while.

I was also thinking about our papers, They come in thin plastic bags that prevents the rain from getting them wet and prevents bird poop from getting on the actual paper. (I know it's not ecofriendly but I don't want bird poop on my dining room table) I'd give your newspaper company a call and see if they can do that. You can't be the only one that has this problem. If they say no, tell them you want their paper delivery person to put it in your door. After all, you are the customer.

If they won't do that, in the future, every time there is bird poop on your paper, call them and ask them to deliver another one. Look up diseases caused by bird poop (google.com) and tell them you don't want those germ/bacteria on your paper or in your home. Ask for the supervisor if you can. Write up a quick concise 'speech' and use it every time you call. Drive them crazy.

Do you have a local TV investigation unit that calls out things like this? Let them know about this issue. Who else in your neighborhood gets the paper? Do they have the same problem? If so, what do they do or can you all band together to get some action from the newspaper company?

In the short term, extending your mail box with the bottles makes sense, unless the deliver person knocks it off. One last thought, do you know what time the paper is delivered? Is it possible to get out there immediately or when you see the truck/car/van coming down your street? Good luck!

Arlene, my mind can't stop thinking about this. The box that you have for the paper was provided by the company, right? In that case, the paper should fit. That MIGHT mean the deliver person isn't doing his/her job right. It also might make the newspaper company responsible if anyone gets sick from the bird poop on the newspaper. Think about that and incorporate that responsibility part in your speech. You might even ask to speak to their company lawyer because you are paying them for a service. They provide the container for their product and it's a fail that could make people sick or even die. That sounds like the basis of a class action law suit to me. Can you tell this is really bothering me? I just wish there was something I could personally do, like get your paper when it's first delivered and put it in your door. Okay, I hope I'm off my soapbox. Again Good luck!