The phrase “better out than in” couldn’t be more true than with birds and your Oshawa home. They are enjoyable to observe and entertain on the outside, but once birds get inside your building, you will have a number of issues to deal with. These issues will range from health and safety hazards to emotional stress. When bird intrusion becomes a problem, animal control experts can help protect your home.

As Ontario’s winter gives way to spring, the area’s birds jump into action. And it is always such a magnificent sight. The beautiful notes of Cardinals and Blue jays compliment the glamour of beautifully feathered falcons, hawks and Blue Winged Teals. In fact, it’s so awesome that Oshawa citizens often gather to celebrate the return of their avian friends at events such as the Feathered Friends festival. This free family event celebrates the return of migratory birds. This is an opportunity for visitors to connect with birds in a fun way by providing hands on experiences with presentations, crafts, hikes plus much more. The festival added butterflies, bats and bees to the 2019 event.

Although birds are enjoyable to observe they unfortunately can cause some issues for homeowners.  The nesting habits and other behaviours of birds can lead to structure damage and more. Starlings, for example, are notorious for their hazard causing nesting habits.

Access Points Used by Birds

Although realistically, birds can find themselves in any section of your home. Some sections are more vulnerable to avian intrusion than others. The sections of your Oshawa home that are particularly susceptible include; dryer vents, exhaust openings (such as those used for kitchen fans) and chimneys. Birds are also famous for flying into homes through open windows.

Windows

Perhaps the most common access points for birds that fly into homes, windows have been admitting birds into residences for centuries. From a single bird flying in through a window to an entire family of birds fluttering in and out of attics, homeowners have had to find ways to remedy bird intrusion caused by open windows.

Vents

Many Oshawa homes have external vents to release air from dryers or kitchen and bathroom fans. These vents, when left open, become access points for birds to enter homes or build nests. The starling, for example, loves to nest in spaces like these. Unfortunately, sometimes starlings or other birds, become trapped in the vents and this poses a threat to their lives. The nests also block the vents and cause them to malfunction.

Chimneys

Birds sometimes get trapped in chimneys inadvertently. When they fly in accidentally, they become trapped and often panic in an effort to escape. Sometimes a lucky bird may make it out of the narrow space in the chimney and find itself inside your home. At this point, the situation becomes even more challenging as the flustered bird may collide with your delicate furniture and cause damage.

Attics

Birds will fly into attics and establish nests. This usually happens when an attic window has been left open for an extended period or when there is another breach in the building that allows birds to get into the attic.

Walls

Holes or cracks in walls are used by birds as nesting spots. Starlings often do this. They bring nesting material to fill the space and promptly take up residence. If the wall is used to create a border for the property this is less concerning than if the wall is actually a part of the building.

When birds like Starlings set up nests in crevices, your home becomes more vulnerable to fires.  Starlings’ nests are made from dried twigs and other flammable material like paper. Additionally, birds’ droppings make the place look unsightly and harbour harmful bacteria which may be passed on to people and other animals.

Enjoying Birds Without Conflict

If you want to enjoy the fresh air from outside while indoors, without dealing with birds on the inside, you should consider covering windows with screens. This way the window can be opened allowing fresh air to come inside but birds won’t be able to enter. The same can be done with doors.

Vents and other openings that lead to the inside of the building also need to be capped. Depending on the opening, the porous or non-porous cap can be used. Chimneys and air vents, for example, need to be capped by devices that will still allow air to pass through in order to remain functional.

In order to thoroughly protect your home from bird intrusion, you need an expert wildlife control team on your side. Skedaddle offers the humane animal control services that you need to ensure that birds remain outside your Oshawa property. Our technicians will work meticulously and diligently to ensure that all your potential access points are bird proof.