Swallows are Coming – Deter Swallow Nests with Bird Slope
The swallows are coming, and commercial and residential buildings need to be protected. Swallows build their mud nests solely on man-made structures, attaching them beneath bridges, inside barns, along eaves, and across countless other vertical surfaces. Highly adaptable pest birds, swallows are easy to identify by their distinctive nests constructed from mud and twigs. Construction begins when birds press small balls of mud against vertical surfaces—typically high up where exterior walls meet roof soffits at a 90-degree angle—securing the nests to both surfaces for roosting and nighttime shelter. Swallows build rapidly; while some property owners attempt to hose down newly started nests, the persistent birds simply return to the exact same spot and rebuild.
Left in place, swallow nests permanently stain and damage building surfaces. Beneath these nests, massive accumulations of droppings coat walls and walkways. Beyond creating hazardous slip-and-fall conditions, fresh droppings and nesting debris harbor dangerous bacteria and pathogens, including salmonella, meningitis, histoplasmosis, and a long list of other infectious diseases.
Swallows are classified as migratory birds and receive strict federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, alongside state regulations. This legal status makes preemptive action essential to deter swallows before nest-building begins. Once active construction starts, federal law makes it illegal to remove nests, eggs, or birds until after the young have fledged—leaving property owners to deal with unsightly droppings and secondary infestations of ticks, mites, fleas, and biting bugs. Unchecked swallow infestations create severe legal and financial liabilities for businesses, restaurants, and homeowners associations, as parasites and diseases can easily infest employees, guests, and residents. In fact, documented legal cases show plaintiffs successfully suing business owners for illnesses caused by unmanaged pest bird populations.
The Solution - Bird Slope
Bird Slope eliminates the 90-degree architectural angles required for swallows to land and anchor their nests. Fabricated from ultra-slippery rigid PVC, the inclined panels make it impossible for any bird—large or small—to maintain a footing, causing them to slip off immediately. Bird Slope is ideal for protecting roof ledges, open eaves, structural I-beams, and any 90-degree nook where swallows attempt to roost. To learn more about how this physical exclusion material works, read our guide on how a bird slope bird deterrent keeps pest swallows off buildings.
Each section of Bird Slope measures 4 feet long and covers ledges up to 7 inches wide, with snap-on extenders available for wider architectural surfaces. A standard case provides 48 linear feet of slope protection. Installing Bird Slope is straightforward using exterior polyurethane adhesive or mechanical fasteners. If you encounter installation challenges, professional contractors are available to assist. Experts may also recommend complementary swallow deterrents, specialized bird netting, or other professional-grade control products to ensure complete success in deterring swallows.
For best results, always install swallow deterrents before migratory flocks arrive. Proactive installation eliminates messy seasonal cleanups while keeping your property fully compliant with federal wildlife protection laws.
Bird B Gone is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of commercial and residential bird control products, offering humane, professional-grade exclusion systems. For expert product advice, architectural evaluations, or installation support, contact Bird B Gone at 800-392-6915.