How to Get Rid of a Bird Nest For Good

Having birds visit you is often associated with good luck and fortune. However, it’s a different story when they nest around your general area, especially when it’s on the house. Learn more about these patterns and how to remove a bird nest from your space. 

Why Are You Getting Bird Nests?

Birds gravitate toward nesting around homes because of nearby food and water resources. If you have bird feeders outside, the chances of these feathered friends paying you a visit and settling down are much higher. There’s also the matter of security away from predators and high vantage points, especially for two or three-story homes. 

How to Get Rid of a Bird Nest Outdoors

Some people enjoy watching the nesting birds for a little bit. However, sharing the space with wild animals can be tough, especially when they’re in the most peculiar spots. Here’s a simple outline of how to get rid of a bird nest on the roof, on the porch and on other parts of your property. 

1. Wait for Nesting Season to Be Over

You need to have the right timing when removing bird nests. Nesting season typically begins during spring, but it can be earlier and later depending on the species. Ultimately, you want to know what kind of bird you’re dealing with to get the timeline right.

Waiting for nesting season to stop can also help you avoid coming across defensive birds. Many tend to get rather territorial, especially when they’ve already laid eggs. You want to minimize contact with their homes as much as possible. 

2. Check for Eggs or Nestlings

Make sure the bird nest is empty as well before removal. Even if the mother bird is away, there may be some unhatched eggs or little baby birds staying in the nest. Most states, like Texas, only allow the disposal of unoccupied nests, or partially constructed nests. 

It is only in relatively rare circumstances that you can remove active nests, and you would still need a special permit to do so. Try to extend your patience and check in after a couple of days again to see if the nest is empty. 

3. Physically Remove the Nest

If the bird nest is in the clear, it’s time to physically remove it. Wear gloves and goggles to keep yourself safe from bacteria and mites. Be extremely careful and ensure that the nest doesn’t come into contact with your arms and other parts of your skin. 

The structure itself can be quite delicate, built with sticks, bark, mud, and other biodegradable materials. If you have a compost pile, you can place the whole thing in it. Another option is to put it in a sealed trash bag and dispose of it as usual. 

4. Clean the Spot With Solution

Make sure you sanitize wherever the bird nest was. It can be a little harder to clean the roofing or gutters, especially if you have zero experience in getting up that high. You can contact professionals to take care of the task for you. 

If the bird nest was in lower areas like the porch or windowsill, it’ll be much more manageable to deal with. You can use homemade cleaning solutions with bleach to get rid of any remnants.

5. Add Bird Deterrents

Some homeowners would prefer to prevent birds from nesting at their home moving forward. You can use acoustic bird repellents, which emit a sound after detecting birds to scare them away. There are also propane-powered noise guns that fire loud bangs.

If you want to minimize sounds, consider getting visual solutions instead like reflective ribbons or bird lasers. Simple installations such as motion-activated sprinkles can inadvertently keep these feathered animals away as well. 

Can Birds Nest Inside the Home?

Yes, birds can find their way into your home. In fact, you may just find nests right by the attic, the bathroom and other obscure areas. The best course of action is to keep doors and windows closed at all times to avoid giving them an opening. 

You can also reinforce the exterior of your home with aluminum siding panels and other durable materials. With those installed, even the most persistent birds won’t be able to puncture holes and get into the home to make a nest. 

Why You Need to Remove Bird Nests

When some converse about how to get rid of a bird nest, many automatically assume that it can be harmful for the animals. However, if you follow the right precautions, like waiting for the nest, there’s zero impact on the birds. There are also reasonable grounds on why you should remove the nests, such as:

• Aesthetic purposes: A bird nest can put a damper to your curb appeal, which can be troublesome if you’re trying to maintain an image in the neighborhood or sell the property. Removing it can make your space a little more aesthetically pleasing. 

• Property damage: Bird nests perched on the gutters and drains can collect debris and sticks that would create blockages. Without a proper pathway for the water to exit, your home’s structural integrity could eventually suffer.

• Bird diseases: As breathtaking as some birds are, it would be hard to identify which ones are infected or not. If they are sick, it can spread bird flu through their feces, saliva and mucus along with other diseases. The sight of them is simply not worth the risk. 

Is It Okay to Keep a Bird’s Nest?

You can keep your bird’s nest on the property, especially if it’s active for legal compliance. That said, it’s best to simply leave it alone. The nesting birds may prematurely abandon their home and their babies if you disturb or tamper with it repeatedly. 

The most you can do is to relocate the nest or offer a birdhouse where your visitors can stay. These should only be considered for extreme circumstances, though, like harsh weather. Make sure it’s within a few feet of the original location. 

Respect the Nest, Whether You’re Removing It Or Not

Understanding how to get rid of a bird nest is helpful knowledge, even when you’re deciding not to touch it first. At least you’ll know what to do when the time comes without harming any feathered friends or their children.