Why are Bird Nests Dangerous?

The phrase “better out than in” couldn’t be more true than with birds and your 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.

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.

WHY ARE BIRDS NEST HAZARDOUS?

When people think of birds’ nests they often picture a neat and cozy bowl made of leaves and twigs. Unfortunately, this is far from the reality our technicians face during a routine bird removal. Birds can be dirty, and their feathers and droppings carry bacteria and parasites into homes that are almost impossible to get rid of without the help of professionals. Some of the most common diseases and parasites they bring into the home that can transfer to humans are:

• Psittacosis
• Salmonellosis
• Histoplasmosis
• Bird mites

When birds make their nests inside a vent, the spread of harmful materials is made much easier. Not only this, but clogged vents create improper airflow to your home, the dry materials birds carry inside to build their nests creates a great risk of fire. 

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. While pigeons enjoy perching on eavestroughs and balconies, starlings and sparrows are the most common species of birds to nest inside a home. The tight spaces our homes provide mimic the natural places they would use to nest in the wild. Listed below are the most common spots on homes across North America that birds love to build their nests:

VENTS

Vents are the most common access points for birds that get into our homes. Since most vents have flaps that act like an open door, birds acn easily slide their way in and out.

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.

HOW TO ENJOY 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.

REMOVE BIRDS FROM YOUR HOME FOR GOOD

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 property. Our technicians will work meticulously and diligently to ensure that all your potential access points are bird proof.

Our technicians are trained in ladder and roof safety to easily access every point on your home safely. We ensure that each bird nest removal is the least invasive as possible. After the galvanized steel screens have been neatly installed over every potential bird entry point on your home, your property will be bird free for years in the future! Have a bird’s nest on your property you need removed?. Call us now at 1-888-592-0387.