Birds nesting on your home? Find out what you can do

If you have noticed bird nesting materials around your home, before you get rid of the nests and birds, first know what type of bird you are trying to handle. Some birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. What this means is that once a nest is built, inhabited, and contains eggs, it cannot be disturbed. It is illegal to “pursue, hunt, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transportation, transport,…for protection of the migratory birds…or any part, nest or egg of any such bird.” Violations can carry significant legal penalties and fines for individuals and organizations. Non-protected birds, such as pigeons, house sparrows, and European starlings, can be managed at any time. Be sure to deter them before they build their nests.

Bird Control Solutions

There are many different kinds of professional bird control products to choose from that will fit just about any residential or commercial problem. These systems help save money on cleanup, protect from structural damage, and protect the health of occupants. Bird droppings and debris are highly acidic, causing permanent damage to building materials, and carry potential health risks.

Visual Deterrents

One of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions to start with is visual bird deterrents. This category includes flash tape, scare balloons, hawk decoys, and reflective diverters. Visual deterrents are designed to frighten birds away by leveraging a bird's natural predator triggers and high sensitivity to reflective surfaces. Tactically placed on the sides of buildings, in trees, on awnings, or along patios, they create a constant visual disturbance that keeps pest birds moving past your property. Changing the location of these products periodically is necessary, as birds can adapt to static objects over time.

Physical Deterrents

Physical bird deterrents get in the way of a bird's ability to perch, roost, or nest in specific areas. Birds naturally prefer to roost high up on a building, using the vantage point to spot food and look out for predators. When placed along rooflines, ledges, and parapet walls, Stainless Steel Bird Spikes or Plastic Bird Spikes completely block them from landing. These humane devices are designed to keep larger birds like pigeons, crows, and gulls away without causing them harm.

When selecting spikes, ensure they feature a UV-protected polycarbonate base and a patented “bend and crush” design to guarantee the stainless wires remain permanently embedded. They can be glued, screwed, or tied down to flat or curved surfaces. For specialized applications, other physical deterrent options include electric track systems, bird slopes, and durable bird netting to seal off open areas like eaves or carports.

Sound Deterrents

Sound deterrents are an effective, wide-area strategy to scare pest birds away from your property. Professional sonic devices, like the Bird Chase Super Sonic, broadcast pre-recorded distress and predator calls for over 24 different species of birds. When pest birds hear these natural warning calls, they instinctively flee the area. Because birds hear on the same frequency level as humans, ultrasonic devices are completely ineffective for bird control. Audible sonic units are the industry standard for broadcasting clear, recognizable calls within a bird's actual hearing range.