By using visual cue agents that exhibit spectral characteristics sufficiently similar to a previously-applied repellent treatment, the amount of the repellent agents used in subsequent or repeat applications may be significantly reduced while still effectively repelling birds. The method for repelling birds from a target includes the application of a first treatment of a bird repellent agent to the target in an amount effective to repel the birds of interest. Subsequently, one or more additional treatment (s) is/are applied to the target including a visual cue agent that exhibits an ultraviolet absorbance spectrum or color which is sufficiently similar to the previously-applied repellent treatment. In these subsequent applications, the bird repellent agent may be applied at a significantly lower amount than the first treatment.