One of the pleasant sounds you can experience in nature is the chirping of birds. When these calls become too close for comfort, however, you may start to suspect something else is going on: you might have birds living in your attic.
How To Get Rid Of Birds In The Attic
Read on to learn how and why birds seek refuge in our homes, what signs we should look for that they are inside and how can you move them back to their proper habitat.
How do birds enter my home?
While it might seem odd to find a bird in your attic, it’s not uncommon, especially during the spring, as birds are migrating back from the south. During this time of year, our feathered friends are looking for a new place to call home and often attics, garages and chimneys offer the shelter and protection the birds are looking for.
Although these spaces are sometimes not easy for humans to access, birds often find their way inside when left unattended and these spots offer shelter from bad weather. Your attic is also high enough off the ground to ensure a bird’s young are protected. To keep birds from entering your home, ensure windows and chimney openings are closed and other possible entryways are sealed when not in use. Be sure to check for cracks in windows or out-of-sight nooks too.
How can they cause damage?
Because of their size, it’s pretty easy to detect if you have birds living in your home and attic. You’ll hear them moving around, and they tend to produce more noise in general than smaller pests. Once you do notice birds or their nest in your home, you’ll want to take necessary steps to remove them to avoid potential health risks.
Bird droppings can transmit diseases such as encephalitis, other conditions that can affect your respiratory system and many illnesses. They can also carry ectoparasites like lice, fleas and ticks. Not only do they contain potential concerns for you and your family’s health, birds can create quite the mess in your attic if left unattended.
How do you remove them?
Once you have confirmed a bird is indeed inside of your attic, you’ll want to take steps to safely relocate the animal back to its more natural habitat. To do so, you’ll want to:
- Open any windows to the attic and remove any screens over openings.
- Play loud music to encourage the bird to fly out on its own.
- Check your attic for any signs of a nest and move it outdoors to remove an incentive for the bird to return.
- Clean the area in your attic where the bird was roosting or nesting with a disinfectant cleaner.
You can also try to lure a bird into a cage by filling a bowl with bird seed and then transporting the cage outside. Birds are fragile and easily injured, however, so often the best way to safely relocate them is to call in a specialist who is well-versed in wildlife removal.
How do you keep them out?
Once you have removed the birds from your attic, you’ll want to make sure they stay out. Like other pests, the best way to avoid an infestation is to take precautionary measures. The same approach can be applied, whether it’s to prevent insects from getting in your cupboards to keeping birds from your attic.
Like we already mentioned, birds enter your attic through windows or other openings they find around your home. But they can also find their way in through other, sometimes overlooked, entryways. That’s why it’s imperative to close off any small cracks or openings, as these can easily grow into larger holes if left alone.
For larger, already sizeable holes or openings, consider covering them with chicken mesh or chicken wire. This will ensure airflow continues but is sturdy enough to keep incoming birds out. You can also place a few deterrents, like a plastic owl, on your property to help keep them out.
Trust ABC for Wildlife Removal
ABC Home & Commercial Services has been helping homeowners get rid of pests for over 60 years. As the largest independently-owned pest control company in the state of Texas, our technicians have the experience and the know-how to quickly identify the source of your pest problem and come up with effective solutions. We’re always here to help if and when those pesky birds decide to make a home out of yours.
