Should I let birds nest in my eaves?

Birds nesting in the eaves of your home can be a controversial issue for homeowners. On one hand, seeing birds raising their young is fascinating and many people enjoy having wildlife around. On the other, droppings and nesting materials can cause damage, and some birds are quite noisy. This article will go over the main pros and cons of allowing birds to nest in your eaves to help you decide what is best for your home.

Pros of Allowing Birds to Nest in Eaves

Here are some of the potential benefits of letting birds nest in your eaves:

• Enjoy nature up close – Nesting birds allow you to observe interesting bird behaviors and see the young hatch and grow right on your property.
• Help local wildlife – Providing nesting spots assists bird conservation. Many species are declining and your eaves can offer needed habitat.
• Natural insect control – Birds eat tons of insects. Swallows, for example, feast on mosquitoes and other flying bugs.
• Guano fertilizer – Bird droppings that fall are high in nitrogen and can help fertilize gardens.
• No work required – If you like having nesting birds, letting them stay requires no effort on your part.

For many homeowners, the enjoyment of watching birds raise their families nearby outweighs potential downsides. Being able to see baby birds hatch, grow, and finally fledge is an amazing experience. And providing habitat aids populations of native birds, many of which are under threat from development, climate change, and other factors.

Cons of Birds Nesting in Eaves

However, there are also some potential problems that can arise from allowing birds to nest in your eaves:

• Droppings – Bird poop falling from nests can stain and damage the areas below. This includes walls, outdoor furniture, cars, etc.
• Ectoparasites – Nesting materials and droppings can harbor mites, fleas, ticks and other parasites that can then get into your home.
• Damage – Some birds peck at wood or use mud to affix their nests. This can gradually deteriorate eaves.
• Noise – Many baby birds get very loud when begging for food. Nesting areas near bedrooms could impact sleep.
• Aggressive behavior – Dive-bombing and other aggressive moves are sometimes used by nesting birds to drive off perceived threats.
• Roosting – After young fledge, birds may continue to roost in the nest site at night.

The accumulative mess over time and ability of birds to potentially damage your home are the biggest factors homeowners have to consider. Noise is also an issue for some. Aggressive behavior is generally worst while young are in the nest and taper off once they have fledged.

Which Bird Species Commonly Nest in Eaves?

The most frequent birds found nesting under residential eaves include:

• Swallows – Barn swallows attach mud nests. Cliff and other swallows use existing crevices.
• Phoebes – Build a nest out of moss and mud on a sheltered ledge.
• Robins – Often build a large stick nest on a ledge or beam.
• Finches – Can make nests out of grass and other materials in corners.
• Wrens – Love small enclosed spaces and readily use nest boxes.
• Sparrows – Build domed nests out of grass and feathers.

Other birds that may occasionally nest in roof eaves include bluebirds, nuthatches, flycatchers, swifts, and more. Birds tend to return to the same nesting spot year after year if successful, so addressing unwanted nests as soon as they appear is important.

Tips for Deterring Birds From Nesting in Eaves

If you don’t want birds nesting in your eaves, here are some tips to humanely prevent it:

• Install netting, screens, or lattice over open eaves spaces to block access.
• Attach deterrents like fake owls, aluminum foil strips, or plastic spikes where nests would attach.
• Use harmless odor repellents made with mint, garlic, or vinegar in problem areas.
• Attach stiff wire in a zig-zag pattern to deter nest building on ledges or beams.
• Play sounds of bird distress calls or install ultrasonic deterrents.
• Trim back tree branches and vegetation close to the house to reduce nesting sites and perches.

Being proactive is key before nesting season gets underway. Once birds have an active nest with eggs, it becomes illegal to tamper with or remove the nest until the young fledge. Trying multiple deterrents together has the best impact.

What to Do With Existing Nests in Eaves

If birds already have an active nest in your eaves, there are a couple approaches you can take:

• Let them be – The simplest option is to just allow the birds to finish nesting for the season. Then clean up the old nests and droppings once they are done.
• Legally remove nests – After eggs hatch and the young leave the nest, it can legally be removed in most areas to dissuade future nesting.
• Install one-way doors – Special doors allow birds to leave nests but not re-enter. Young flee the nest naturally.

You should never illegally disturb an active nest. Doing so risks going against the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Fines for violations can be up to $15,000!

Cleaning Up After Bird Nests in Eaves

To safely clean up bird nests and related mess, follow these precautions:

• Wear a protective mask and gloves to avoid inhaling or touching bird mites and droppings.
• Use a stiff brush and scraper to remove large debris from surfaces.
• Hose down the area with water and use a degreasing cleaner to scrub off stains.
• Disinfect the area with a 10% bleach solution to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
• Seal up any new openings in the eaves that birds can access.
• Install nest deterrents to prevent future nesting.

Proper cleanup and sealing up access points after birds fledge will help prevent the same issue recurring year after year. Be sure to dispose of all nesting debris and waste promptly and carefully.

Alternatives to Letting Birds Nest in Eaves

If you want to enjoy bird nesting activity but deter eave nesting, here are some alternatives:

• Install nest boxes specifically designed for the species you want to attract.
• Position nest boxes away from doors, windows, and high traffic areas.
• Put nest boxes up high on poles with predator guards to be safest.
• Clean out old nesting material from boxes each fall.
• Have multiple next boxes to allow new options each season.

With nest boxes, you can better control the location and reduce problematic nests in eaves. Boxes also give birds added protection from predators and weather. Strategically placed, nest boxes allow enjoyable viewing and can successfully attract many common backyard nesting species.

Conclusion

Birds nesting in eaves can be a polarizing issue. The enjoyment of observing nature up close has to be weighed against potential property damage, health hazards, noise, and mess. Deterring nests in problem areas while also providing nest boxes in preferred spots allows the best of both worlds. Be sure to abide by laws and only remove old nests after young have fledged. With some thoughtful planning, you can reach the ideal balance of enjoying backyard birds while also protecting your home.