How to Prevent Birds From Building Nests in the Most Unfavorable Places
While we may enjoy watching birds, sometimes they build their nests in dangerous or inconvenient places near our home. It can be difficult to deal with the repetitive bird nest and the mess they can make, not to mention the danger to them when nesting near air vents or fans. However, there are a few humane ways to discourage birds from nesting – here are a few things to try if you have unwanted avian guests.
Explore bird species to find clues
If you know what your particular bird species likes to eat and what kind of environment they prefer, you can use that information to scare them away. If you have a blackberry bush that your unwanted birds like, you may want to consider replacing the bush with something less attractive. Restricting their access to their favorite foods is one way to discourage nesting nearby.
You can also prune trees, bushes, and bushes because these are places where birds like to hide. Opening up the space gives them less protection and they may decide it’s not the best place to nest. Cutting bushes and grasses also gives the birds less nesting material and they can move to more fertile areas.
Reinforce openings and gaps
Another way to prevent nesting is to exclude access to inconvenient places. Using wire mesh to cover vents or small openings in attics can keep birds from entering these convenient areas and prevent them from building a nest there. You can also use foam or wood waste to fill gaps large enough for birds to get into the siding or under the eaves. Make sure the birds are not already using the space before blocking it.
Add a slope or uneven surface
To keep birds away from ledges or railing tops, you can tilt the top to make it harder to build a nest in that spot. The use of springs stretched over the tops of these surfaces will also discourage nesting; or you can use bird netting , strung along railings or ledges, to keep birds away. Spikes are also available for this purpose, but their use is not recommended as they may harm the birds.
Scare away birds with the help of “stuffed” predators
Predator-shaped lures are generally recommended to scare away birds, but their effectiveness may wear off over time, so they are not a permanent solution. Some types of raptor stuffed animals, such as owls , may have built-in movement and may have a slightly longer shelf life, but once the bird gets used to the shape and notices the lack of danger, the stuffed animal is less likely to scare them away.
Other visual deterrents may include light tape, hanging mirrors, or lasers. Indeed, any shiny object moving in the wind can scare away a bird. However, the same lifespan applies to these deterrents: once the bird becomes familiar with the object, it will ignore it.
Add bird habitat to another area
For an even gentler approach, providing a better nesting option away from the problem area can help keep birds away from certain areas. If your porch has a nook or crevice or a good spot for birds that you can’t talk them out of, consider encouraging the birds to nest elsewhere by providing the perfect nesting spot across the yard. Installing birdhouses designed for your particular type of bird, or providing a protected area that is quieter and less active, can help birds choose to nest elsewhere.
Don’t disturb them
However, once the bird has built the nest, it is important not to disturb it. Under no circumstances is it recommended to use tactics that could harm the bird, such as an aggressive pet or spikes. The best way to keep birds from nesting in problem areas is to make the area less welcoming before the birds start building their nests.