How To Stop Birds From Nesting In Eaves?

Birds can be beautiful to watch, but when they decide to build nests in your roof eaves, they can create a mess. 

Bird droppings can damage your roof and home exterior, while nesting materials can block gutters and create fire hazards. 

Roof eaves shelter birds from predators, wind, and rain, making them nice nesting spots. These areas also provide warmth, stability, and proximity to food sources, especially in urban or suburban environments. 

Unfortunately, this convenience for birds can become a nuisance for homeowners, leading to structural damage, clogged gutters, and unwanted noise.

As a homeowner, it’s important to know both the legal considerations and effective methods for removing bird nests from your eaves. In this blog post, we will go over both these topics and more, helping you keep your roof eaves bird-free. 

Is It Legal To Remove Active Bird Nests In The United States?

Before you start removing the nests from your roof eaves, it is important to know that it is illegal in many cases. Some wild birds in the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to disturb, remove, or destroy active nests containing eggs or chicks.

An "active" nest is one that contains eggs or young birds. This law strictly prohibits taking, possessing, transporting, selling, purchasing, or bartering any migratory bird or their parts, nests, or eggs without proper permits. 

Violations can result in fines of up to $5,000 for individuals and imprisonment for up to six months.

Some birds commonly found nesting in eaves, such as house sparrows, European starlings, and pigeons, are not protected by federal law because they are non-native species. 

However, local regulations may still apply, so it's always best to check with your local wildlife authority before removing any nest. The safest approach is to wait for the birds to leave the nest and then move their nest to a safe place where they can live peacefully. 

How To Safely Remove & Prevent Bird Nests On Roof Eaves

So, without any further delay, here are some safe and easy approaches to remove and prevent bird nests on your roof eaves.

#1 Wear Protective Gear

When removing bird nests, always wear protective gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Bird nests can contain mites, parasites, and droppings that may carry diseases harmful to humans. Wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and full pants can also protect your skin from potential irritants.

#2 Use a Long-Handled Tool

For nests located in hard-to-reach areas of your roof eaves, use a long-handled tool such as a rake, broom, or specialized nest removal tool. 

This allows you to safely remove the nest without putting yourself at risk by climbing on unstable surfaces.

#3 Clean and Disinfect the Area

After removing the nest, thoroughly clean the area with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water to disinfect the surface. 

This is very important to eliminate any parasites, bacteria, or droppings left behind. Make sure to rinse well afterward to prevent damage to your home's exterior from the bleach solution.

#4 Install Bird Deterrents

To prevent future nesting in your roof eaves, you can install deterrents. There are different types of deterrents including: 

👉 Bird spikes: Spikes are simple plastic or metal strips with blunt prongs that make it difficult for birds to land and nest.

👉 Bird netting: Fine mesh netting can be installed under eaves to block birds from accessing potential nesting sites.

👉 Visual deterrents: Visual deterrents are simple reflective objects like old CDs or aluminum foil strips. You can also go for specialized reflective bird deterrents, which will scare birds away.

👉 Motion-activated devices: These sprinklers or lights activate when birds approach, effectively deterring them.

#5 Seal Entry Points

Birds generally find safe spaces like gaps or openings in your roof eaves for building nests. To prevent this, you have to find and seal these gaps or openings in your roof eaves. 

You can use caulk, wood, metal flashing, or hardware cloth to cover these areas. But make sure that no birds are trapped inside before sealing.

#6 Apply Bird Repellent Gel

Another effective approach to prevent bird nests on roof eaves is applying bird-repellent gel. This special gel creates an uncomfortable surface for birds to land on. 

Just thoroughly apply the repellent gel to ledges, beams, and other horizontal surfaces in your eaves where birds might perch. The gel is non-toxic but creates a sticky sensation birds dislike.

#7 Install Sloped Surfaces

Most birds prefer flat surfaces for building a stable nest. Installing sloped surfaces using wood or metal at a 45-degree angle in potential nesting areas can make it difficult for the birds to make stable nests.

#8 Provide Alternative Nesting Areas

You can consider installing birdhouses away from your home (like in your backyard or garden) to give birds alternative places to nest. This simple approach can reduce the desire to build nests in your eaves while still supporting local bird populations.

Can You Remove Bird Nests From Your Eaves by Yourself?

Yes, you can remove inactive bird nests from your eaves by yourself, but make sure that the nest is truly abandoned. 

When removing nests yourself, safety should be your primary concern. Generally, nests are built in hard-to-reach areas, and attempting to access them can be dangerous. If the nest is located high up or in an unstable area, you should call professionals who have the proper equipment and training.

You should also consider the potential health risks. As discussed earlier in this article, bird nests can harbor parasites and bacteria that may be harmful to your health. Without proper protective equipment and cleaning methods, you can expose yourself to these health risks.

If you spot a large infestation of multiple nests or if birds persistently return to rebuild nests after removal, professional intervention may be necessary. Wildlife control specialists can provide more permanent solutions and help you implement effective deterrents.

Get Professional Roofing Services In Pennsylvania

At McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, we are your trusted roofing company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Whether you are facing roof damage from bird nests or you want a thorough roof inspection, our team is here to help. 

We are committed to providing only the best results. Our team has years of experience working on different roofing types, materials, and designs. To schedule a free roof inspection or for a no-obligation discussion with our professionals, call us today at (412) 353-5660.