Ever woken up to chirping right outside your window, only to find a messy nest tucked under your eaves? While birds bring charm to the outdoors, their nesting habits can wreak havoc on your home. You might worry about damage to your home, health risks or the mess they leave behind. Knowing what birds build nests on the side of the house and how to handle them makes it easier to protect your property.
What Birds Build Nests on the Side of the House?
Several bird species are known for their tendency to build nests on or around houses. Identifying the culprit can help you tailor your deterrent strategies.
House Sparrows
These non-native birds, pictured above, are highly adaptable to urban environments. They favor building messy, globular nests made of grass, string, paper and twigs in any available opening, including vents, gutters and eaves.
European Starlings
Like house sparrows, starlings, pictured above, are non-native birds that thrive in man-made landscapes. They prefer nesting in cavities, often choosing holes in walls, vents and gaps under eaves.
House Finches
Native to the western United States but now common throughout the country, house finches, pictured above, have readily adapted to suburban living. They build nests in a variety of locations, including vines, hanging plants and cavities in buildings.
Pigeons (Rock Doves)
Pigeons, pictured above, are notorious for nesting on building ledges, rafters and beams. Their nests are shallow platforms made of sticks and twigs.
Barn Swallows
These graceful birds, pictured above, build cup-shaped nests almost exclusively on man-made structures, often choosing beams, rafters and the undersides of bridges. They construct their nests using mud, lining them with grasses and feathers.
Other Potential Nesters
While less frequent, other birds like Carolina wrens, bluebirds, pictured above, collared doves, woodpeckers and robins might also choose to nest on homes depending on the available habitat and nesting sites.
Deterrents and Solutions
Ever wondered how to get rid of pigeons and other pesky birds? If birds nesting near your house are causing a problem, here are ways to deter them and encourage them to nest elsewhere:
- Eliminate or reduce bird feeders and secure trash in covered containers to minimize food availability.
- Clean up spilled grain or pet food promptly.
- Cover vents and openings with wire mesh, seal gaps under eaves and dormers and repair broken window panes.
- Install chimney caps and consider using bird netting in problem areas.
- Make existing roosting spots less appealing. For instance, install slanted boards or “porcupine wires” on ledges to make perching uncomfortable.
Are bird nests bad for your house? They can be if left unmanaged. Nests can block gutters, damage siding or create fire hazards.
Reach out to bird control specialists to manage bird nests. Taking steps to prevent birds from nesting, along with expert support, is the best way to protect your home. This way, you can enjoy living near birds without the hassle.
What Month Do Birds Start Building Nests?
While birds typically start building nests in early spring, the exact timing varies depending on the bird species and the local climate. In warmer regions, some birds might nest year-round. Here’s a seasonal breakdown of common nesting birds.
Spring Nesters
Spring is the busiest time of year for bird nesting, with a wide variety of species constructing nests and raising their young.
- Pigeons can breed year-round, with peak production in the spring and fall. They build shallow platform nests on building ledges, rafters and beams.
- European starlings breed in the late spring to summer, often having two broods. They are cavity nesters, building nests inside holes in walls, drain pipes and other openings.
- House finches can begin breeding in early spring, typically having two or more broods during the summer. They build nests in vines, conifers, hanging plants and cavities in buildings.
- House sparrows nest mainly from early spring to early fall, with females having two to three broods per year. They build messy nests in cavities, such as rafters and holes in walls, as well as open nests, often in a domed shape.
Summer Nesters
Nesting activity continues into the summer months for these bird species:
- House finches and house sparrows continue to nest and raise broods throughout the summer.
- Drier weather is more favorable for ground-nesting birds like killdeer. They build shallow depressions on bare ground and add debris like rocks and sticks to the scrape.
Fall Nesters
While nesting activity generally declines in the fall, some species have a second-peak nesting period.
- Pigeons have a peak breeding season in the fall.
- House sparrows continue to nest until September.
Winter Nesters
Some birds may continue to nest throughout the winter.
- Tree swallows migrate south during the winter months.
- Collared doves can nest in the winter if the weather is favorable and there’s enough food.
Are Bird Nests Bad for Your House?
Birds can be enjoyable to watch in your yard. However, they can get messy quickly when they build their nests near your house. Bird nests can create real headaches, such as the following issues.
Clogged Gutters and Water Damage
Birds often use gutters as a prime spot for their nests. Nesting materials, feathers and droppings pile up in gutters and block water from draining properly. When rainwater can’t flow through, the gutter overflows and can damage your roof, siding and even your home’s foundation. Over time, this can lead to expensive repairs, all from one nest.
Structural Damage to Your Home
Birds don’t just use existing spaces for nests—they also create them. Some birds peck at wood siding, tear through roofing materials or pull out insulation to build their homes. These activities can leave holes in your home’s exterior, letting in moisture or even insects, rodents and other pests. Birds might also nest in vents, blocking airflow and creating additional issues for your home’s structure.
Fire Hazards Around Chimneys and Electrical Equipment
Bird nests in the wrong spots can quickly turn into a fire hazard. When birds build nests near chimneys or electrical equipment, they use twigs and dried grass that can easily catch fire. A single spark from your fireplace or a short circuit in outdoor wiring can ignite a nest and potentially start a fire. That’s one reason why it’s important to reach out to bird control pro to control birds on your property.
Health Risks From Droppings
Bird droppings aren’t just gross; they can also carry diseases like histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that affects the lungs. Cleaning up dried droppings can release harmful spores into the air, so be sure to wear a mask and gloves when dealing with droppings.
Droppings can also attract other pests, such as flies or certain types of mosquitoes , making the problem even worse. The longer droppings are left untreated, the greater the potential health risks for your household.
Noise and Mess Around Your Home
Birds can get loud, especially during nesting season. Chirping babies and fluttering wings might initially seem charming, but the constant noise can get annoying.
Birds also leave droppings all over your porch, cars or outdoor furniture, creating an unsanitary mess. Their nests might spill materials like twigs, leaves or feathers onto walkways and entryways, making your home look untidy.
How to Handle Bird Nesting Problems
If birds nest on your house, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further issues. There are steps you can take to keep them away from your home:
- Cover vents, chimneys and eaves with screens to keep birds from settling in.
- Get rid of anything that draws birds near, like food sources, open trash bins or standing water that could attract insects, including different types of mosquitoes.
- Regularly clean gutters, vents and any outdoor areas where birds might build nests.
- Hang shiny objects or place decoys like fake owls to scare birds away from problem areas.
When to Call in the Experts
You might be asking, “ Why are there so many birds in my yard? ”Often, it’s because your yard provides food, water or good nesting spots.
Experts can also help you prevent future nesting problems. They might suggest adding screens over vents, sealing gaps under eaves or making ledges less inviting for birds to perch.
Dealing with bird nests on your house can feel overwhelming. While you might try DIY methods, calling in a bird control expert is the best way to handle the issue for good. Professionals understand bird behavior and can quickly figure out which species is nesting on your property and remove them.
Trust ABC for Bird Control
ABC Home & Commercial Services has been helping homeowners control pests for over 75 years. As the largest independently-owned pest control company in the state of Texas, our pest control 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.
