What does a person do if a bird makes a nest in a place where the homeowner does not want birds to roost? This is a bit tricky, because it is actually a federal offense to remove nests that are active and belonging to migratory birds. An active nest means they are building the nest or laying eggs. Migratory birds include swallows, geese, robins, wrens, and many others. And, some local and state laws are even more restrictive.
The best time to remove the nest is to discourage the building of a nest where you absolutely do not want a nest. Make sure cracks and holes are filled along the outside of your house. I personally thought I had taken care of everything. But, I had a screen on my back porch that needed repair. Sure enough, a pair of sparrows decided the top rungs of the porch on the inside of the porch were perfect for a nesting place. I got home and the nest was almost finished, I thought. So I let it be. I should have taken care if it that day, but I didn’t, and now the nest is extremely large. They are obviously planning for a large family.
I did consult with a friend and he said to wait now until the eggs have hatched and the babies are gone, and then remove the nest if that is my plan. I have to fix the screen at some point, but now I can’t because the birds are flying in and out. He said to ask a professional before I remove the nest if I intend to remove it myself.
One word of caution about removing nests, on top of the fact you might be breaking the law, is to make sure you wear long sleeves and gloves. Nests can have fleas and other parasites in them. Have a trash bag ready to put the nest right in and close it immediately. Remember, even if you love birds, they can carry diseases and they are wild creatures. You don’t want to touch where they have been living. Also, it is a good idea to use respiratory protection as you don’t want to inhale any of the contaminants or dust that could be harmful to you.
If birds are persistent about a certain place along the home where they are unwanted, hang shiny objects such as aluminum pie tins. Maybe put them close enough together so they make a little noise as the breeze blows between them. This will discourage most birds and other unwanted critters as well.
Remember, your home is your home and wild birds need to live in the wild, not your dwelling space. To keep both your family safe and the bird’s family and nest safe, it is best to check your home often to make sure nests are not being built in unwanted areas. Both you and the birds will be happier and healthier in the long run, and you can enjoy the birds from a longer distance!
