Having uninvited feathered guests in your home can be a frustrating experience. Birds, while beautiful creatures, can cause damage to your property, spread disease, and create a mess.
How to Get Birds Out of Your House
This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of effective methods to humanely and safely remove birds from your house and prevent them from returning.
Understanding Why Birds Enter Homes
Birds often seek shelter from predators, harsh weather conditions, or to build nests. Identifying the reasons behind their entry can help you implement targeted solutions.
How to Get Birds Out of Your House
Discovering birds nesting or roosting in your home can be a surprising and sometimes unwelcome experience. While birds are generally beneficial creatures, having them inside your house can lead to messes, noise, and potential damage. Fortunately, there are humane and effective methods to encourage them to move on. This guide will walk you through the steps to safely and effectively remove birds from your house.
Understanding Why Birds Enter Homes
Before attempting to remove birds, it’s important to understand why they might be drawn to your home in the first place. Birds often seek shelter from predators, harsh weather, or to raise their young. Common entry points include:
- Cracks and gaps in walls, foundations, and rooflines
- Open windows and doors
- Chimneys
- Vents
Identifying the entry points will help you prevent future intrusions.
Assessing the Situation
Once you’ve confirmed the presence of birds in your house, take some time to assess the situation. (See Also: What Eats Birds In The Desert)
Determine the Type of Bird
Knowing the type of bird can help you choose the most appropriate removal method. For example, small birds like sparrows might be easier to deter than larger birds like pigeons.
Check for Nests or Eggs
If the birds have already built a nest or laid eggs, it’s crucial to handle the situation with extra care. Disturbing a nest during the breeding season can be illegal in many areas. It’s best to consult with a wildlife control professional in these cases.
Humane Removal Methods
The goal is to remove the birds safely and without causing them harm. Here are some humane methods to try:
Exclusion Techniques
This involves blocking off all entry points to prevent birds from entering your house.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Use caulk, expanding foam, or wire mesh to seal any holes or openings in your walls, roof, and foundation.
- Cover Vents: Install vent covers with fine mesh to prevent birds from entering through vents.
- Screen Chimneys: Install a chimney cap with a fine mesh screen to prevent birds from nesting inside.
Deterrents
There are several natural and artificial deterrents that can discourage birds from entering your house.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These sprinklers will startle birds when they approach your house, deterring them from returning.
- Bird Netting: Cover vulnerable areas like windows, doors, or eaves with bird netting to create a physical barrier.
- Shiny Objects: Hang shiny objects like aluminum pie plates or CDs from trees or your house to reflect sunlight and scare birds away.
- Visual Deterrents: Place owl or hawk decoys in your yard to make birds feel like predators are nearby.
Trapping and Relocation
If exclusion and deterrents are not effective, you may need to trap and relocate the birds. (See Also: Who Played In The Birds)
- Live Traps: Use humane live traps to capture the birds. Bait the traps with birdseed or mealworms.
- Release Location: Relocate the birds at least a mile away from your house to a suitable habitat.
It’s important to follow local laws and regulations regarding bird trapping and relocation.
Preventing Future Intrusions
Once you’ve successfully removed the birds, take steps to prevent them from returning:
- Regularly Inspect Your Home: Check for any new cracks, gaps, or damaged areas that could provide entry points for birds.
- Keep Your Yard Clean: Remove fallen fruit, bird feeders, and other debris that might attract birds to your property.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs: Keep trees and shrubs trimmed back from your house to reduce the likelihood of birds using them as a perch or landing spot.
Recap
Getting birds out of your house requires a combination of understanding their behavior, assessing the situation, and employing humane removal methods. By sealing entry points, using deterrents, and potentially trapping and relocating them, you can successfully evict unwanted feathered guests. Remember to always prioritize the safety and well-being of the birds and to follow local regulations regarding bird control.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Get Birds Out of House
Why are birds getting into my house?
Birds often seek shelter in homes during inclement weather, to nest, or to find food. They may be attracted to open windows, gaps in siding, or holes in vents.
How do I safely remove birds from my house?
Avoid harming the birds. Close off any entry points they are using. If they are nesting, wait until the young have fledged before removing the nest. You can also try using humane deterrents like bird netting or reflective surfaces. (See Also: What Birds Dont Migrate)
What are some humane ways to deter birds from entering my house?
Install bird netting over windows and vents, use motion-activated sprinklers, hang shiny objects or pinwheels to scare them away, and keep your yard free of debris that might attract them.
Can I use pesticides to get rid of birds?
It is generally not recommended to use pesticides to get rid of birds. Pesticides can be harmful to other animals and the environment. Focus on humane and preventative methods instead.
What should I do if I find a baby bird on the ground?
If you find a baby bird that appears injured or abandoned, it’s best to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. They have the expertise to care for the bird properly.
