espantador

Espantador is a noun used in Spanish and Portuguese to refer to something or someone that frightens away another creature or person. In practical contexts, it denotes devices, methods, or individuals designed to deter animals or intruders by inducing fear, caution, or avoidance. The term stems from the verb espantar (to scare) with the agentive suffix -ador.

In agricultural and pest-control settings, espantadores include a range of deterrents. Scarecrows, known as espantapájaros in Spanish and espantalhos in Portuguese, are traditional visual devices that imitate human presence to deter birds. Auditory deterrents deploy sounds such as predator calls or sudden noises to startle and frighten animals. Visual deterrents can involve reflective tapes, bright or moving decoys, and models of predators. Olfactory or chemical repellents are also used to reduce pest activity. The choice of espantador depends on the target species, environment, and cost, with combinations often employed for greater effectiveness.

Regional usage varies, but the core idea remains consistent: an espantador is any measure intended to frighten away pests or intruders. In everyday language, speakers may specify the type (for example, espantapájaros) to convey the particular device or method in question. In folklore or cultural references, the term may also appear in a broader sense to describe figures believed to ward off malevolent beings, though this sense is less common in technical or agricultural writing.