How to get rid of Birds?

[Aggie_Ama]

We have a couple of barn swallows who have taken residence in a corner of our front porch. At first I thought it was cute and even named them. I insisted we let them be because they had eggs up there.

Well now we are on baby birds #2. When the babies hatch the droppings get out of control. I am washing down the porch every night and in the morning it is back. Is there a way I can get the birds to leave without harming them? I know I have to wait until the babies are gone. If they weren't pooping so much I would be happy to let them stay, but it is really dirty how much they are going.

We also have a nest in one of our tiny front trees, but those guys can stay for now.

[SouthernBelle]

I've had that problem on a column on my front porch. When the birds fledged, I pulled down the nest and put a couple of bricks up there to fill the space.

[ehirsch83]

you could also see if you have a local spca rehab center or a bird sanctuary. They can come and remove them and then later release them into a more native place.(unless the birds aren't native to your area then they will go to live in a sanctuary)

[Duck on Wheels]

I don't think I'd mind having the birds there, even if it means hosing down the house repeatedly. It's a trade-off. Swallows ... or mosquitoes, wasps, and flies. Think of the hosing job as your part of the B&B service, and the insect job as the rent the "tenants" pay.

[Zen]

Swallows will typically lay two clutches per summer. They don't live in the nests, they just incubate there and they don't take long to leave the nest. Grin and bear it for this second clutch but find out how to keep them from coming back next summer because they will be back, same place, year after year.

Your own private Capistrano.

[Trek420]

Will swallows take to a bird house? With a little neon sign on it "Vacancy" and flashing "No vacancy" sign on the house?

[smilingcat]

Zen is right.

Please check with your DFG (Dept of Fish and Game) Disturbing of protected species can get really expensive.

Shoot a swan and you are looking at >$5000 fine and confiscation of your gun.

Disturbing an egret nest will cost you in excess of $10,000 fine from the federal government plus jail time.

Growing up, we lived in Kansas for about two years, just outside my sister's room, a woodpecker decided to peck and peck. That bugger came everyday. My sister was losing sleep, my father was getting mad that the house was getting pecked apart. He called DFG to find out what he could do. They gave him a form to fill for re-imbursment for the repair cost. And a warning of NOT disturbing the bird. All woodpeckers in US are protected.

Swallows may be protected so do check.

Meanwhile, can you place a plastic tarp below the nest and weigh the corners. And place newspaper on top of the plastic. Replace the newspaper each day. Yes its bit of a hassle. or continue to hose down every day.

my sympathy,
Smilingcat

[East Hill]

All songbirds are protected in the US, and all migratory species are protected one way or another. Swallows are migratory. Don't disturb them.

If they were English/house sparrows or starlings--they would not be protected (because they would be non-native species). Any swallow you see in Texas is native to the US, by the way.

You can try putting up a nest box for them next year. Duck on Wheels is correct, think of them as being your own private pest exterminators. Instead of giving them money, you wash your deck.

East Hill

[Aggie_Ama]

We decided to leave them for the babies and then look into removing the nest. They definitely match the picture of a North American Swallow.

DH determined the guy who has set up house in the front tree is a Mockingbird, I know he is protected so he has free room and board.

[Zen]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but even if you left their current nest in place they'd still build another one, bear it for the rest of the summer.

If there is a store in your area that caters to wild bird afficienados perhaps they could give you some tips for next year.

Look how cute the little pinfeathers are...awwwwww.

[Laterider21958]

Have you tried placing a plastic snake/s around the area yet? It is supposed to work, but I haven't ever had to do it. Could an imitation bird enemy work i.e. hawk or a mean looking crow. Even better, a bird pole with abodes attractive to your birds attached

For those out there who have trouble with birds eating fruit from trees, I have read hanging imitation fruit in the tree works. I saw a photo in a plant mag that showed a pecked imitation peach and pear. The accompanying article said the birds didn't come back the following year and the gardeners got the whole crop. Perhaps their beaks were blunt!

[Geonz]

(how dumb am I?)

So I have a very similar problem on my front porch... ya know, right where I walk in... and the silly hose is right there two feet away. I never thought of grabbing it on my way in and removign the daily deposits....

[TsPoet]

I, too, have a swallow's nest right above my front door. Like everyone says, I've been waiting for the end of the season to wash it down. But, does anyone know if these mud nests damage the house any? I've got a stucco house. If it isn't going to damage my house, they can come back next year!
I usually have tons of wasps every summer, this year I have 1 small wasp nest and that's all. I've been wondering if my swallows are also keeping the wasps down - if so they can definately stay!

[Aggie_Ama]

Zen- That is exactly what my little free-loaders look like! They are cute little guys. We do not have a huge bug problem but not on the porch, so maybe the little poopers can stay. Maybe I will just wash it down in the fall?

We also leave spiderwebs outside as long as they don't have poisonous residents and we are quite pleased with the 4-5 frogs we know of living in our yard! How is that for organic pest control?

[Zen]

I, too, have a swallow's nest right above my front door. Like everyone says, I've been waiting for the end of the season to wash it down. But, does anyone know if these mud nests damage the house any? I've got a stucco house. If it isn't going to damage my house, they can come back next year!
I usually have tons of wasps every summer, this year I have 1 small wasp nest and that's all. I've been wondering if my swallows are also keeping the wasps down - if so they can definately stay!

Two really good questions i'd like to know the answer to as well!