How To Get Rid of Birds

Birds are beautiful to look at, but they can quickly become a nuisance. Not only are birds extremely destructive pests to have around, but they can also carry and spread avian diseases to humans and pets. 

Birds are excellent at finding any nooks and crannies in our homes that they can use to build nests, which is why bird deterrents are crucial for preventing bird problems. If you have nuisance birds, don’t worry. There are plenty of solutions for getting rid of birds. 

This guide covers signs and causes of birds nesting in your home. You will also learn how to get rid of birds in your home, and keep them away. It’s important for homeowners to recognize the signs of a potential bird problem early to prevent damage to your property.

Birds Nesting Near Your Home

Signs

How do you know if you have birds near your home or a different kind of pest? There are many signs of birds nesting near your home. Often, you will spot destructive behavior, such as torn up grass, feathers, or other nesting materials. You may also see birds flying to a place that doesn’t have food (a bird may fly from a bird feeder to the roof multiple times). You will also likely find more bird nests near your home, hear increasing bird noises, or spot a higher number of birds than normal.

Birds are intelligent beings, and finding an injured bird is not always as it seems. Birds sometimes play injured to deter predators from their nests. Seeing a bird perched in one spot for extended periods of time often means a nest as well, and you will likely find increased bird droppings.

Causes

There are many causes of bird infestations, including easy access to resources. Birds will be attracted to food sources, such as insects, earthworms, fruit trees, gardens, seeds, and even pet food that has been left out.

Bird feeders and bird baths on your property will also attract birds, and if you live near a forest you may have issues with woodpeckers while living near a lake or body of water may leave you with seagulls. 

The primary reason birds will nest near your home is easy access to food and available hiding places for their nests. While it can be difficult to control outside food sources, taking time to remove access to human sources of food, such as leftovers or pet food, can decrease the risk of birds nesting near your home. Intentional landscaping can also help to prevent a bird infestation, by removing nesting areas.

Keeping Birds Out of Your Home

You’re finding birds in your home, but how are they getting in, and how do you get rid of them? Often, finding a single small bird in your home does not mean you are dealing with an infestation. This bird is likely seeking food or nesting materials, or is lost.

To determine if you are dealing with a problem, perform a perimeter check. Check out dryer vents, openings, entryways, and pipes to see if there are gaps or holes where birds could be getting in. Replace any broken or torn screens and use a silicone caulking product to fill cracks or holes.

You can also place mesh wire over gutters and any openings that you found during your perimeter check. Cutting ways that birds can get into your home will help decrease the number of birds. You may also consider using a dryer vent guard to prevent nests from being formed there.

Another way to keep birds out of your home is to remove their attractants, including food sources and safe nesting areas. Spray insecticides to kill bugs and consider landscaping without fruit trees. Use visual deterrents, like decoy predators. These can include placing fake predators around your property, including larger birds and snakes. Be sure to rotate visual deterrents as birds will learn they are not harmful.

You can use aural deterrents to scare birds as well. These can include wind chimes, or an ultrasonic machine. Ultrasonic machines are costly, but are highly effective in keeping birds away.

Other options include installing bird spikes and bird repellent. Hiring a wildlife control professional to treat your property is also effective. A wildlife control professional can assess your property, then discuss different bird removal options for current birds or nests in your home. Professionals will also discuss what they can do to prevent birds from returning to your property. 

How to Keep Birds Away 

What can you do to keep birds away from your property?

Consider placing plastic owls or shiny objects near common areas where birds are found. This will help prevent birds from using these areas as nesting sites. Birds can commonly be found in attics, garages, vents on the side of the house, and porches.

There are many ways that you can repel birds from your home. You can place plastic owls around your home in familiar places where birds are found. Plastic owls or other predator decoys can keep birds away from your property. 

Another visual deterrent you can use is shiny objects. Scare birds by hanging reflective, shiny objects on your property. Try hanging old CDs, reflective tape, or strips of aluminum foil from trees, shrubs, and your roof. You may also install a motion-activated sprinkler system to keep birds away.

A good way to keep birds away from your yard is to remove food sources. Birds will take advantage of any food source they can access, so removing them means that birds will leave. Additionally, you shouldn’t leave leftovers or pet food outside and should be sure to clean all food after eating outside.

Don’t put out birdseed or a drinking fountain. Like all pests, birds constantly look for easy food sources and stick around if you provide them with one. Avoid putting birdseed in your yard and consider covering any water sources, like a drinking fountain.

Inspect your trash can and compost pile. Make sure that your trash can is thoroughly secured and the inside and outside are wiped clean regularly. If you have a compost pile, make sure that it isn’t smelly and periodically check that the lid is tight and working well. 

You should also seal off entryways to prevent birds from entering your home. Use mesh screens or other dense materials to seal chimneys, vents, gutters, and other common bird nesting sites or entry points.

Properly trim your trees. Birds love to nest in trees because of the protection they provide them with from predators. To avoid wild birds from nesting, trim any low-hanging or extra branches on your trees. Any branches touching your roof or close to your home should also be dealt with because this makes a bridge from the tree onto your roof for birds and other wildlife pests.

How To Identify Birds 

There are three primary species of birds that are known pests in the United States. All three of these types of birds are not native to the United States, which leaves them with no natural predators, so their populations often get out of control. 

Pigeons are grayish in color with a greenish to purplish head. These birds often carry fleas, ticks, and lice and may transmit dangerous diseases, like salmonella and encephalitis. Pigeons are not easily scared by humans.

European starlings are dark in color, with faint speckles and a yellow bill. These birds are swift fliers and typically spend time hanging out on people’s lawns. European starlings are comfortable in urban and rural settings, and their droppings can transmit histoplasmosis and encephalitis.

House sparrows are smaller, aggressive birds that make sharp chirping noises. They are light brown or reddish-brown and reproduce quickly. House sparrows’ nests often attract other pests, creating additional infestations. House sparrows are known for roosting and flying within one and two miles. These birds love eating grains and may contaminate livestock feed and are known to carry West Nile virus, among other illnesses.

If you spot any of these birds on your property, you may be experiencing a pest bird infestation. Consider contacting your local wildlife removal company before the problem gets out of hand, as these birds are not afraid of humans and can even be aggressive. They’re also known to transmit dangerous diseases.

Getting Rid of Birds 

Birds are beautiful creatures but can become pests on your property when left unchecked. The best way to prevent a problem from forming is by being proactive. 

However, if the birds keep returning or the problem is getting out of control, consider hiring a bird control professional. Pest control professionals help to remove birds safely and set up preventative measures to repel birds in the future.