One of the most potentially damaging places around your home where a bird can set up a nest is in your gutters. The pressure of a large enough blockage can cause your gutter to detach from the rest of your home. Preventing a bird nest in your home’s gutters is an easy way to keep your home’s exterior looking great. With our simple solutions, you can keep your gutters clean, functional and bird free. Below we are going to walk you through proven methods to keep birds away, from DIY fixes to professional-grade deterrents to help you say goodbye to the mess and damage caused by nesting birds.
How Birds In Your Gutters Can Cause Serious Problems
Birds nesting in gutters can lead to all sorts of problems as your gutter clogs up and water can’t properly drain away from your home, including:
- mold building up on the roof
- foundation damage
- flooding your property
- gutters sagging and possibly falling onto your property
- bug colonies due to water pooling
- damaged flower beds
- water damage to the walls of your home
Why Birds Nest in Gutters
Birds seek out high places like gutters for shelter and support. Not only do they find a safe haven, but they also gain a strategic advantage for water and food. Don’t let unprotected gutters become a bird magnet that leads to drainage problems.
Ways to Keep Birds Out of Your Gutters
Unprotected gutters can lead to clogged drains, so learn how to prevent birds from building nests in your gutters.
Clear Debris Out From Gutters
Check out how clean the inside of your gutters are. Certain bird species (finches, starlings, and house sparrows) look for confined areas to set up a nest. Don’t make it easier and faster for them by having materials ready for them to use. Remove leaves, twigs, and other materials. Then, rinse out the gutters with a garden hose. You should be cleaning out your gutters twice a year to keep birds from nesting in your gutters.
Install a Leaf Guard to Prevent Nesting
Leaf guard installation doesn’t just make your gutters leaf free to prevent clogs; birds won’t be able to enter them either. Leaf guards leave breaks but they’re not thin enough to allow a bird’s beak in to reach the water. If the birds can’t drink the water they will look for water elsewhere. Put in the leaf guard system after a thorough gutter cleaning.
Types: There are several types of leaf guards, screens, reverse curve guards and brush style guards. Mesh screens are easy to install and block small debris, while reverse curve guards allow water in but block larger objects.
Installation Tips:
- Measure your gutters – as the old saying goes, measure twice, cut once.
- Use screws instead of adhesive for a secure hold – adhesive is often ineffective in a wet area like guttering.
- If you’re unsure how to avoid gaps where birds can still nest, get a pro to help you out.
Build a Birdhouse
Some people enjoy having birds around the exterior of their house peacefully chirping while they relax outside. If you want birds to have a safe place to nest, stop by your local home appliance store and buy a birdhouse for the backyard. Little to no installation required as many shops carry pre-assembled bird houses.
Bird Repellents for Gutters
Not everyone wants birds hanging around the house for a variety of reasons such as an easily excited pet. There are many gel, granule, and liquid based bird repellent products that do not physically harm birds. Instead, they give out a scent causing birds to fly away and find somewhere else to roost.
Products sending out a frequency so high people can’t hear, but birds do and run away are in the market also. Plus there are modern day scarecrows like fake owls you can install around the rooflines, but will only be useful if birds aren’t already nesting there.
Bird Spikes for Gutters
Deterrent bird spikes are the ultimate solution to keep birds away from your gutters. These strips consist of thin plastic panels with spikes that prevent birds from landing. Simply install them on your roof, just above the gutters, and say goodbye to unwanted birds.
Installation Tips:
- Install bird spikes along the edges of your gutters, where birds tend to land or gather.
- Check the spikes occasionally to make sure they’re secure. Birds will still try to nest near them, so checking them occasionally will keep your setup doing its job.
Install Mesh Over Your Gutters
Home services professionals can clean your gutters and then install wire mesh over your gutters.
Install Reflective Tape
This handy tape catches the light, and flashes, scaring birds. Movement caused by the wind makes it even more effective as a deterrent.
Installation Tips:
- Hang the tape near gutter corners and where birds are most active.
- Rotate or replace the tape every few months. Birds get used to stationary deterrents over time.
Use Ultrasonic Devices
These devices emit high-frequency sounds that birds don’t like but are inaudible to humans.
Installation Tips:
- Install ultrasonic devices near gutters and at an angle that covers the entire roofline.
- These work best with physical barriers, like bird spikes or leaf guards. This will give you full bird control.
Add Bird Netting
This netting covers your gutters, preventing birds from getting in and allowing water to flow through. Use outdoor durable, UV-resistant netting. It should have small enough holes to prevent even small birds from squeezing through.
Installation Tips:
- Measure your gutters to cut the netting to size.
- Use clips or gutter hangers to attach the netting over the gutter so water can flow through.
- Make sure the netting is tight. It should fit snugly over the gutter openings. Any loose areas will be an entry point for birds.
- Check the netting occasionally for gaps, tears or debris buildup. This can affect water flow. Replace damaged sections as needed to keep it effective.
How to Get Rid of Birds Nest from Gutters
Are birds making nests in your gutters? This is more likely to happen in dry climates where the gutters stay empty for months. However, the issue arises when the nests cause clogs in your gutters during rainy weather. A nest in your gutter is unsafe for the birds and their babies. Before you try to remove a bird, make sure to check the bird protection laws in your area. If the bird and its nest are protected, you could face a significant fine for removing them. Seek help from a pest removal expert to remove the nest and get valuable advice on preventing future nesting.
Other Ways To Keep Birds Out the Gutters
There are a few other options you may be surprised to hear about. Some of these like fake owls may not be HOA approved so keep that in mind. Rubber fake snakes can scare off birds but need to be attached to something, so they don’t wash off in the rain. To stop birds from perching on the roofline, you can even install anti-perching devices. Patch any gaps in your roof since birds like to nest in these spaces and can use your gutters for quick access to water. Prevent birds from nesting in vents by installing a screen or a guard. Lastly, move any bird feeders away from your room to prevent birds from being attracted to your roof.
Legal Considerations: Protection of Wildlife
Before you remove any bird nests you see, you need to know what the law says for your area. Many bird species are protected by laws such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US, which covers many migratory birds. If you have an issue with birds around your home, be aware of the Texas Parks and Wildlife guidelines for protected wildlife species.
Summary of legal Points:
- Check Before Removal: Many bird species are protected, especially during breeding season. This means it’s illegal to disturb active nests with eggs or young birds inside. Removing or relocating these nests without permission can also result in fines.
- Know Local Laws: Wildlife protection laws vary by location and species. Research your local or state laws on protected birds or contact a local wildlife agency if you’re unsure.
- Get legal advice: If you have a protected species or an active nest, consult a licensed wildlife professional. They can help you manage the situation safely and legally without harming the birds or breaking the law.
Gutter Maintenance
Deterrents like these are a good preventative measure, but without cleaning and maintaining your gutters, you’ll find birds will continue to use them to find twigs and debris, which provides perfect nesting material. By keeping your gutters clean, you can make them less appealing to birds, as well as helping you with general function.
How maintenance helps:
- Prevents Clogs: Clean gutters mean smooth water flow and no clogs that can cause water damage.
- Reduces Birds: Without leaves and debris to nest in, birds won’t settle in your gutters.
- Increases Lifespan: Maintenance will reduce stress on gutters, minimizing the risk of sagging or cracking.
- Seasonal Schedule: For most homes, cleaning in spring and fall will be enough to maintain your gutters, depending on the amount of debris you experience.
For Amarillo homeowners experiencing issues with birds nesting around the roof and gutters, hire a professional gutter company today for further assistance.