Rainbow lorikeets are among Australia’s most strikingly beautiful birds — vibrant flashes of blue, green, red, orange, and yellow that bring colour and energy to Canberra’s gardens. But for property owners, these charismatic parrots can also bring significant frustration. Lorikeets chew timber, strip paint, produce some of the most corrosive droppings of any Australian bird species, and their dawn chorus of screeching can wake an entire neighbourhood.
Lorikeets have expanded their range into Canberra significantly over the past two decades, driven by urban plantings of nectar-producing trees and shrubs. Properties with grevilleas, bottlebrush, eucalyptus, and other flowering natives near the house attract large flocks that roost in nearby trees and treat your deck, eaves, and window frames as convenient chewing objects. Their droppings are particularly problematic — the nectar-based diet produces highly acidic, brightly pigmented waste that stains surfaces permanently and corrodes paint, concrete, and vehicle finishes faster than droppings from seed-eating birds.
Like all native birds, rainbow lorikeets are fully protected in the ACT. You cannot trap, harm, or kill them, and disturbing active nests is illegal. However, there are effective legal deterrent strategies that protect your property while respecting these protected native birds. The key is making your property’s surfaces unappealing for chewing and landing, while maintaining appropriate distance between flowering plants and your home’s vulnerable surfaces.
Protection Strategies
Property Protection
- Anti-chew coatings on all exposed timber
- Metal edge capping on deck railings and fascia
- Car covers during peak lorikeet activity
- Regular cleaning of droppings before they etch
- Protective covers on outdoor furniture
- Seal gaps in eaves to prevent cavity nesting
Habitat Modification
- Plant flowering natives away from the house
- Remove bird feeders and water baths near buildings
- Trim branches that overhang decks and roofs
- Use non-flowering native plants near the house
- Install motion-activated deterrents
- Professional bird assessment for persistent problems
For Canberra homes experiencing significant lorikeet damage, a professional assessment can identify the most cost-effective combination of deterrents for your specific situation. Anti-chew coatings need reapplication every 6-12 months, while metal capping and physical barriers provide permanent protection. Most residential lorikeet proofing projects cost $400-$1,500 and significantly reduce the ongoing maintenance burden and repair costs caused by these beautiful but destructive native visitors.
Lorikeet Damage Solutions
Humane property protection from lorikeet damage. Free assessment for Canberra homes.
Still have questions?
The best pest control company will solve your issue for a long time. Bugs Patrol is Canberra’s trusted choice for professional lorikeet damage prevention with lasting results.
Lorikeets Damaging Your Home?
Protect your property with humane, legal deterrent solutions. Free assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — timber chewing, paint stripping, and highly corrosive droppings that stain permanently.
Yes. Only humane deterrence and habitat modification are legal options.
Anti-chew coatings, metal edge capping, physical barriers, and removing attracting plants near the house.
Nectar diet produces highly acidic, pigmented droppings that corrode faster than seed-eating bird droppings.
$400-$1,500 for residential properties depending on methods and property size.
