If you spot a bird nest near a home, don’t be quick to dismiss it. Nesting birds can cause more damage to your home than you might expect, warns a new article at realtor.com®.
By nature, birds want to nest near homes, associating it as a protected location away from predators and extreme temperatures, Dirk Van Vuren, professor of wildlife biology at the University of California, Davis, told realtor.com®.
But nesting birds can actually physically damage a property, particularly a roof or home’s exterior. “While not all birds are pests, some species—like starlings and pigeons—can be,” says Chelle Hartzer, an entomologist for Orkin. “Bird droppings can corrode metal and concrete, while debris and feathers from nests can clog drains and gutters.” That can also lead to problems with a roof, basement, and even foundation. Birds that enter an attic can also damage the insulation.
Birds can also clog dryer vents. If they nest in a dryer vent, they can restrict the airflow and that can lead to lint buildup and increase the risk of a fire.
To deter birds from a home, experts say, bird spikes on house gutters and light fixtures may help, along with Mylar tape and even lights at night. Many domestic bird species are protected by laws that prevent disturbance to nests during nesting season or any harm to the birds. Contact bird management professionals to stay within laws if needing to move a nest.
Source: “Roosting Risks: The Unexpected Dangers of Bird Nests Near Your Home,” realtor.com(R) (June 4, 2019)
