If you are dealing with pesky birds such as common starlings or swallows, consider bird nest prevention as a way to mitigate the problem.
Both European (or common starlings) and swallows can cause problems for home owners, businesses, and farms for various reasons. Common starlings make a racket, eat up crops, and leave tons of waste behind.
Swallows aren’t as annoyingly noisy as starlings, but they damage properties with their mud nests. A swallows bird nest can also be an eyesore. They also leave tons of bird waste around.
The waste from both starlings and swallows can be health hazards for other animals and people.
You may have other bird pests that you are dealing with. Many of the tips provided here will help prevent birds’ nests for a variety of species.
It can help, however, to do some research online and learn about the specific breed you want to deter.
The Specifics of Swallow Bird Nest Prevention
For example, swallows build nests in a variety of locations, depending on the type of swallow. Unlike the larger starlings, swallows can get into eaves and rafters. The sticky mud that swallows use for their nests damages the surfaces of buildings.
These mud nests can attract parasites, and these infestations can cause further problems for property owners. Swallow bird nests are definitely not something you want to take over your building.
1. Barn Swallows
These types of swallows usually build their nests on or in buildings with ledges, including eaves, roofs, and docks.
2. Cliff Swallows
Cliff swallows build on vertical walls, preferably with an overhang. These can include barns and bridges.
A note of caution: Swallows are protected species under the United States Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). Therefore, you cannot destroy a swallow’s nest once eggs have been laid in it.
7 Tips on Bird Nest Prevention
The exact type of bird nest deterrent you use will depend on the type of structure you wish to protect, as well as the species of bird you are having problems with. Here are some things to try:
1. Set Up Metal Spikes on Ledges
While these metal spikes are seen frequently on urban buildings, they do get a bad reputation for being cruel to birds by animal lovers. You shouldn’t worry that such spikes are actually hurting the birds, however. They just keep the birds from landing on the ledges and building there.
The problem with these metal spikes is that they are unsightly and can make a building look a little bit like a prison camp.
2. Cover Holes with Netting or Vent Covers
You don’t want pest birds like swallows getting into holes in your siding or finding their way into your attic. Do a review of your home or building and patch up any areas that birds might enter.
3. Put Angled Boards on Ledges
This is an alternative option to putting Mad Max-style spikes up on your ledges. A 45-degree angled board put on a ledge is a surface that doesn’t work too well for bird nesting. These can also be removed seasonally for when the birds have migrated south for the winter.
4. Use an Owl Model
Many garden centers will sell fake owls that you can put in your garden. These will scare away birds and perhaps prevent some nests from being built. The downside is, they might also scare away the nice birds you wanted to attract with your bird feeder.
5. Try an Ultrasonic Repellant
An ultrasonic repellant will put out a sound that the birds can hear, but humans cannot. This is supposed to be a humane, eco-friendly solution, but do consider that it might affect other animals (including your pets) in the vicinity.
6. Apply Taste Aversion Liquid
Pest control companies will often use a special liquid that deters birds from nesting. It is painted on the surface and is allegedly highly affective. However, it could potentially damage paint, so it needs to be tested first before being applied wholesale.
7. Shine Bird Repelling Lasers at Nesting Areas at Night
Would you like a laser light shining in your bedroom when you are trying to sleep? No? Well, neither do birds such as swallows. These special bird nest repellant lasers can keep birds from building nests and coming back. They do require electricity to use, however, though they shouldn’t increase your electric bill by too much.
Bird Nest Prevention May Require Trial and Error
While there are many tools and techniques to reduce the number of birds’ nests around your property, some will undoubtedly work better than others.
You may have to try a variety of techniques before you find one that works well and one that’s cost effective and has the least downsides. If you are still having trouble with your bird pest problem, you may need to contact your local pest control company for some help.