Did you know there is one little and very simple trick that can keep birds from building nests around your home, porch, shed, garage, or barn? And yes – it really works!
Birds certainly play an important and welcome role in outdoor spaces. They’re natural pest controllers at heart. In fact, they are important to have around – helping reduce the number of unwanted insects in your yard and garden.
From bluebirds swooping in to catch mosquitoes to robins hunting down beetles, flies, and grubs, many common birds feed heavily on bugs that can damage plants or ruin outdoor enjoyment. Their presence can truly help keep your landscape healthier and more balanced. But not so much when they build nests all around your home!
Spring Bird Nest Issues
When spring arrives, birds begin looking for safe and sheltered spots to build their nests and raise their young. While that’s a natural and important part of the season, it can become a big problem when birds decide to build their nests on homes, garages, barns, or porches.
Small ledges, eaves, open rafters, and light fixtures are all places birds often choose. Unfortunately, while these spots may seem perfect to the birds, they can lead to all kinds of messes and issues for homeowners.
Bird nests built on homes often bring along a trail of twigs, straw, feathers, and mud. As birds come and go, these materials fall and collect on porches, patios, windowsills, and walkways. Anyone who has them do this knows the mess it creates!
Even worse, once the birds begin feeding their young, droppings and leftover food scraps can build up quickly. Not only can this look bad, but the mess can also create odors and attract other pests like insects or rodents.
One Simple Trick To Keep Birds From Building Nests
On our farm, we have lots of eaves and corbels where birds love to build nests. And long ago – we tried a lot of options to stop them that simply didn’t work. Not in the least!
Bird spikes can be quite dangerous. And quite often, the birds simply figure out a way to build on top of them. And the method of putting clear water bottles where they like to nest? That was a bust.
In fact, they once nested right on top of the bottle – or they’d just knock it down and build anyway. It was almost like a challenge to them. Lights and motion didn’t seem to deter them either.
We also tried sprinkling hot pepper flakes and spraying organic repellents in the problem spots. But instead of flying away, the birds just ignored it. If anything, they seemed more determined to stay. Almost like they weren’t bothered one bit by the smell or taste.
But then on a hint from an old friend, we tried one simple trick that has worked like a charm ever since – without fail! And that trick? Using small, 2 to 3 inch animal or people figurines. You simply won’t believe how easy and effective it is!
Why Figurines Really Work To Stop Birds From Building Nests
Believe it or not – one of the most effective and surprisingly simple ways to keep birds from building messy nests around your home is by placing small plastic figurines – especially toy figures or miniature characters – on top of gutters, ledges, or tucked into the eaves. Affiliate Link: 12PCS Realistic Cat Figurines, Plastic Cat Figure,
The little 1 to 2 inch figures may seem like child’s play, but they serve as an excellent visual deterrent for nesting birds. When birds fly up looking for a place to build, they’re typically seeking out safe, quiet, undisturbed areas. Spaces where they can hide their nests and feel protected from predators.
But when they spot something unfamiliar or out of place – like a strange plastic figure perched where they planned to build – they get spooked and fly away. The shape, color, and odd appearance of the figurines seem to confuse or unsettle them just enough to make them think twice.
What makes this method so appealing is how easy and humane it is. There are no sharp spikes, no sprays, and no harmful chemicals. Just a few small, inexpensive toys placed in strategic spots.
Even better, you can have a lot of fun personalizing it to your taste. We have used little figurine characters from our childhood Sesame Street days – or little zoo animals to liven it up. They all work well!
Putting The Figurines To Work
This technique works especially well under porch ceilings, along roof eaves, on beams, ledges, or tucked beside outdoor light fixtures – really anywhere birds like to tuck a nest. Even better, once you place them, birds rarely try to push them aside or move them. Instead, they simply avoid the area altogether and go somewhere else to nest.
One little note on keeping the figurines up – velcro helps! Although the birds may not move them out, spring wind and storms can. Affiliate Link: VELCRO Brand Cut to Length Straps Heavy Duty.
We use a double sided piece of velcro and then attach the figurines to keep them in place. It also makes it nice when the nest season is over to quickly take them down.
Here is to using a very simple but effective trick to stop birds from building nests around your home and outbuildings – and having a little fun with it! For more on the positive side of birds and the landscape, check out our article: The Best Foods To Feed Birds In The Spring – How To Get Birds To Visit And Stay!
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.