Tips To Stop Birds From Nesting On Your Property
Birds are incredible animals, but that doesn’t mean most people want them to build nests at their homes. This has some bad implications, such as a bird infestation that can quickly get out of control. That’s why we put together several tips to stop birds from nesting on your property.
You can stop birds from nesting on your property if you put motion-activated lights around your house. Reflective tape and bird spikes also help deter birds, so they don’t build nests at your house. Set up wind chimes and ultrasonic devices to scare birds away with noises. Clean your gutters twice per year so you don’t attract birds to your roof.
You can also call a wildlife rehabilitator if the problem is out of control. Follow along as we highlight 9 tips to stop birds from nesting on your property.
How To Stop Birds From Building Nests At Your House
1. Set Up Motion Activated Lights
Are birds active around your house at night? If so, you can easily scare them away with motion-activated lights. Birds get scared easily when they see flashing lights at night, especially if you put the lights in the right spots.
Place motion-activated lights on your roof, porch, and any other area where you typically find birds. Not only will this stop birds from nesting, but it will help burglar-proof your home. You can find plenty of battery-operated lights that are easy to mount.
2. Spray Natural Oils
Birds are quite sensitive to odors, and you can use that to your advantage. Natural oils from peppermint and lemons work wonders to stop birds from nesting on your property. Birds also hate allicin, which is in garlic, and you can use it to keep birds away.
Pay attention to which parts of your house you most commonly find birds. Carefully spray garlic, peppermint, or citrus oils in these areas. Exercise caution if you plan to spray natural oils on your roof or in the gutters.
Spray oil as needed for as long as possible. It won’t take long for local birds to realize that your house is the last place they should build nests. That said, you must keep up with it, as they will try to nest on your property again if you don’t take other measures to keep birds away.
3. Use Bird Spikes
The name may sound extreme, but bird spikes aren’t as aggressive as they seem. Bird spikes look sharp, but they’re dull and simply scare birds away. They won’t get hurt even if they touch the spikes, but they will be scared and leave the area.
You can easily set up several bird spikes around your property. Target areas near your gutters, roof, rails, porch, and under outdoor staircases. Look for stainless steel bird spikes, as they are especially effective.
4. Ultrasonic Bird Repellent
Ultrasonic devices work to repel everything from deer and snakes to birds. They emit ultrasonic frequencies that don’t affect humans, but many animals detect the sound. You can easily stake ultrasonic devices into the ground, or simply set them up on your porch or roof.
It’s also a great idea to put them under stairs and ledges where you often see birds nesting. Many ultrasonic devices work for at least 3 years. Even still, it’s important to check the device occasionally to make sure it’s still working.
5. Reflective Tape
Reflective tape is one of the easiest things you can use to stop birds from nesting on your property. Birds are sensitive to shiny objects and bright lights. Much like motion-activated lights, reflective tape startles birds when it catches the light correctly.
Granted, reflective tape is most effective during daytime when the sun shines on it. However, you can use exterior lighting to your advantage to make the tape effective at night. You can even pair reflective tape with motion-activated lights for the best results.
It’s easy to find reflective tape for birds, and it’s easy to apply to most surfaces at your home. Make sure to only put reflective tape on dry surfaces, or else it may not stick.
6. Hang Wind Chimes
Not only are wind chimes relaxing and visually appealing, but they can also deter birds. Wind chimes are similar to ultrasonic devices in that the sound can startle birds. That said, they’re only effective if you live in an area with strong wind.
Wind chimes are a great option if you frequently catch birds on your porch. Ideally, you should hang chimes on your porch and in your backyard for the best results.
7. Clean Your Gutters
Have you noticed birds hanging out around your gutters? Birds commonly build nests in gutters, especially if they are dirty. That’s because gutters often get clogged with things that birds use to build nests, such as twigs.
This makes it easy for them to lay eggs and protect them all in one location. You can make gutters less appealing to birds if you keep them clean. Ideally, you should clean your gutters at least twice per year.
Hire a professional to clean your gutters if you aren’t comfortable getting up on a ladder. It costs anywhere from $80 to $400 to have your gutters cleaned. The cost depends on the size of your house and the professional’s labor rate.
8. Remove Bird Feeders
We all know that bird feeders provide plenty of entertainment. After all, who doesn’t love to watch birds eat in their yard? However, bird feeders simply make birds too comfortable on your property, and this can lead to them nesting at your house.
Remove your bird feeder so that birds move onto a new area for food and nesting. They will easily be able to find more food sources, so it’s not a cruel act. This can also help keep other pests away from your home, such as squirrels, opossums, and snakes.
9. Call A Wildlife Rehabilitator
Call a wildlife rehabilitator if your bird problem is out of control. Professionals know how to carefully remove bird nests without harming them or disrupting the ecosystem. The last thing you want is to unknowingly disturb an endangered bird’s nest.
Not only is that illegal, but it also has bad environmental consequences. Look up local laws in your state and find the appropriate department to contact. They can also provide additional tips about how to stop birds from nesting at your house.
Summing It Up
Set up motion-activated lights and wind chimes to stop birds from nesting on your property. Reflective tape and bird spikes can also keep birds away from your house. Remove debris and keep your gutters clean, so birds are unlikely to nest on your property.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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