Bird Nests: Good or Bad?

     While birds are fun to watch, their spring nesting and roosting activities often create damage and potential health hazards. The best way to prevent these problems is to deny bird nesting and roosting sites.

Bird nest left over from 2013.  Will it be reused?

     Bird droppings damage buildings, sidewalks, cars and outdoor furniture.  Nesting materials can clog gutters, downspouts and air vents, according to Mike Potter, urban entomologist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. 

     "In addition," he said, "birds can transmit serious diseases including salmonellosis which causes food poisoning. People also can pick up systemic fungal infections by inhaling airborne spores that grow in bird droppings."

          "Now is the time to encourage pest birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows to find another home -- before they

establish nests," Potter said.

     He gave this advice to discourage nesting and roosting:

     * Seal vents and other small openings with one-fourth-inch hardware cloth or a similar material to exclude birds.

     * Use screen or net on the outside of attic vents to keep sparrows from nesting between louvers.

     * To deter activities on ledges, eaves and window sills, tightly string parallel strands of wire right above the surface ledge. Use sheet metal or wood boards to change the ledge angle 45 degrees or more. "Porcupine" wires, repellent gels and bird netting also are effective deterrents if installed correctly.

     Hardware and farm supply stores carry bird exclusion materials, according to Potter.

     "Before you install materials, remove nests and droppings to prevent problems with scavenger insects and disease pathogens," he said. "Wear gloves and a respirator to avoid inhaling disease-causing spores. A dust mask is inadequate for this task. Lightly moisten nesting materials and droppings with water before moving them to reduce dust and the tendency for spores to become airborne. Difficult problems with long-established  roosts are best left to a pest control company or nuisance

wildlife firm."

     Potter said visual repellents like fake owls, snakes and balloons fail because birds become used to these objects and ignore them. For a greater chance of success, change the position of objects periodically, or the pattern in which they are placed.

     "Noises like clapping hands or distress call cassette tapes work on small roosts of birds like starlings," he said. "However noise-frightening efforts require persistence because they must continue for several consecutive times to be successful. It's best to begin before the flock becomes attached to the site."

     Potter cautioned people to store surplus bird seed in tight-fitting containers.

     "Unsealed seed bags in a garage or basement

are prime targets for meal moths, mice, and other pests," he said.