Quick Answers
Barn swallows are migratory birds that nest on porches and other structures during spring and summer. Here are some quick tips to deter them from nesting on your porch:
– Install plastic netting or wire mesh over porch beams and rafters to block nest sites. Ensure there are no gaps where birds can enter.
– Attach smooth surfaces like plastic sheeting or aluminum foil to beams and rafters. Barn swallows prefer rough, easy-to-grip surfaces for nesting.
– Hang wind chimes, reflective tape, or shiny objects from porch rafters. Movement and flashing will scare off swallows.
– Apply bird repellent gel to potential nest spots. The sticky substance deters nest building. Reapply after rain.
– Run a lawn sprinkler on motion sensor when swallows are active. The movement and water will discourage them from nesting.
– Play predator sounds like hawk cries to trigger swallows’ natural fear response. Just be sure to shut off at night to avoid disturbing neighbors.
Why Do Barn Swallows Nest on Porches?
Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) get their name from their habit of nesting on human-made structures associated with livestock, like barns, stables, and sheds. However, they will also readily nest on porches, open garages, eaves, and other areas on homes.
There are a few key reasons barn swallows gravitate to porches:
– Ideal nesting site – Barn swallows build cup-shaped mud nests fixed to vertical walls or beams. Porches provide the rough horizontal surfaces and ledges they prefer for anchoring nests.
– Shelter from weather – Deep porch overhangs provide protection from rain and sun for their nest sites.
– Food availability – Flying insects that barn swallows feed on are abundant around homes and neighborhoods. Porch lights attract night-flying insects.
– Predator protection – Porches elevated above ground help keep nests safe from many mammal and snake predators.
– Convenience – Existing structures are easier than building nests on natural cliffsides or cave walls. Barn swallows have adapted well to manmade substitutions.
So if your porch offers good nest placement, insect access, and security while requiring minimal effort for the birds, barn swallows will likely move right in if given the chance.
When Do Barn Swallows Nest and Raise Young?
Barn swallows are migratory, arriving at northern breeding grounds like Canada and the northern U.S. in spring, nesting during summer, then migrating south to spend winter in South America.
Here’s the typical barn swallow nesting and rearing timeline:
– **Spring migration** – Barn swallows arrive from southern wintering grounds from March to May depending on region. Early scouts look for nest sites.
– **Nest building** – Swallow pairs build nests of mud mixed with grass and feathers in April and May. Nests are re-used and repaired in subsequent years.
– **Egg laying** – The female lays a clutch of 4-5 white eggs from late April through June. She will incubate them for 14-16 days.
– **Hatching** – Eggs hatch over several days in May and June. Both parents feed the chicks.
– **Fledging** – After about 20 days chicks fledge, or leave the nest. Parents continue feeding them.
– **Second broods** – Barn swallows frequently have a second brood, with eggs laid in late June or July. The second clutch often reuses the same nest.
– **Fall migration** – By September or October, most barn swallows have migrated back south to their winter habitat.
So porch-nesting issues with barn swallows occur from spring through late summer when they are most active at the breeding sites. Taking preventative measures early in spring before they construct nests can be most effective.
Problems Caused by Barn Swallows Nesting on Porches
While barn swallows are considered the most popular and welcome swallow species, their mud nests and constant activity around the nest site can cause some issues for homeowners:
– **Mess** – Barn swallow nests are made of mud which can stain or spatter walls and porch furniture. Droppings also accumulate below the nest.
– **Damage** – Heavy nests built year after year may eventually cause damage to wood and structural elements of the porch.
– **Parasites** – Nesting sites attract mites, lice and other parasites that can spread to the porch environment.
– **Territorial dive-bombing** – Barn swallow parents fiercely defend the nest, swooping at perceived threats. This can deter use of the porch.
– **Health risks** – Accumulated swallow droppings raise concerns about transmission of histoplasmosis, encephalitis and other diseases.
– **Nuisance noise** – Constant swallow chirping and chattering at the nest site grates on some homeowner’s nerves.
So while cute to watch, barn swallow nests can negatively impact the cleanliness, safety, and enjoyment of porches and other structures. Deterring them from inappropriate nest locations is typically desired.
Humane Ways to Keep Barn Swallows Off Porches
Before taking any measures to remove barn swallows, be aware that they are a protected migratory bird species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This makes it illegal to harm the birds, their eggs, or active nests. Fines for violations can be up to $15,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
Here are some humane, legal ways to deter barn swallows from nesting in unwanted areas:
– **Install netting or mesh -** Covering porch beams, rafters, and other nest sites with plastic mesh or tight netting can prevent swallows from gaining access. Be sure there are no gaps where they could enter and build nests on top of the netting.
– **Use repellent gels & liquids -** Non-toxic bird repellent gels or liquid applied to nesting spots creates a sticky surface that deters swallows from building nests there. Reapply after rain.
– **Attach smooth surfaces -** Covering wooden rafters with slippery plastic sheeting, aluminum foil, or Plexiglass deprives barn swallows of the rough grip-able surface needed to secure their mud nests.
– **Install sloped ledges -** Barn swallows prefer horizontal ledges for nest anchoring. Modifying ledges to a 45-60 degree downward slope can prevent nest attachment.
– **Employ scare devices -** Objects like reflective tape, flashing lights, wind chimes and predator decoys near nests will frighten and repel nesting. But move them periodically so swallows don’t become accustomed to them.
– **Use sound repellents -** Predator calls or ultrasonic devices played intermittently where swallows are attempting to nest will drive them away.
When to Remove Barn Swallow Nests
If barn swallows have already built nests in an objectionable area, here are some pointers on when and how to remove them:
– Active nests with eggs or juvenile birds cannot be removed due to protective laws. Nests must be left undisturbed until chicks fledge.
– Nest removal is safest after fall migration is complete, typically November or later. There is no risk of harming any birds.
– Use an extension pole and brush to knock down mud nests. Wear a mask and protective gear when dealing with parasites.
– After removing nests, take preventative measures like netting so they won’t rebuild next spring in the same spot.
– If absolutely necessary to remove nests during summer breeding season, seek advice from a wildlife professional first. A vacant nest can sometimes be removed but this risks destroying potential eggs or young.
With proper timing and humane techniques, persistent barn swallow nests can be removed once they are no longer active. Key steps are verifying the nest is empty, using caution not to harm any birds, and preventing rebuilding.
Alternative Nesting Sites to Offer Barn Swallows
While keeping porches and buildings free of nests, you can also help barn swallows by providing alternative nesting sites in appropriate locations:
– **Install shelves or braces** – Boards or planks can provide suitable nest anchoring sites on barns, stables, or sheds away from living areas.
– **Erect nest boxes** – Specially built barn swallow nest boxes mounted high on posts away from dwellings may attract them away from the porch.
– **Allow natural nests** – Consider tolerating the mess if swallows build mud nests in garages, open sheds, or other little-used outdoor areas where their presence poses no hardship.
Accommodating barn swallows with more suitable nest platforms reduces the chances they will be determined to move into a problematic porch location. Providing nest options in agricultural settings helps sustain these declining birds.
Other Methods to Deter Barn Swallows
In addition to physical nest blocking and removal, some other techniques can be employed to scare barn swallows away from porch nesting sites:
– **Predator decoys**- Lifelike plastic owls, snakes or hawks placed on the porch will frighten swallows away. Move them regularly so the birds don’t habituate.
– **Reflective deterrents** – Suspended pie pans, old CD discs, aluminium foil strips, or reflective tape fluttering in the breeze deter swallows.
– **Scent repellents** – Strong scents from moth balls, ammonia-soaked rags, or predator urine discourage nest building. Reapply frequently.
– **Noise makers** – Wind chimes, clackers, bells, or other sounds are alarming to inspecting swallows. Intermittent use works best for scaring them away.
– **Sprinklers/water spray** – Barn swallows won’t build nests where they regularly get wet. A motion-activated sprinkler or spray of water can deter them.
Trying a combination of visual, noise, and scent deterrents makes the porch a less attractive nesting spot for barn swallows searching for their ideal mud nest location.
Why it’s Best Not to Kill Barn Swallows
Some people consider lethal measures to keep barn swallows away, like shooting them or poisoning nests. However, there are several compelling reasons to avoid killing them:
– **It’s illegal** – Barn swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with stiff penalties for harming them.
– **It’s ineffective** – Killing some swallows won’t stop new ones from trying to nest on your porch. A better solution is modifying the location itself to be nest-unfriendly.
– **It can backfire** – Dead adult swallows in a nest may attract predators or scavengers and increase risk of parasitic infestations spreading.
– **Barn swallows help control insects** – Their diet of flying insects like flies and mosquitoes provides natural pest control benefits. Killing them destroys this free service.
– **They are declining** – Barn swallow populations have fallen significantly in recent decades. Indiscriminate killing worsens the species’ survival outlook.
Lethal control targeting migratory barn swallows is risky, inefficient, and ecologically harmful. Relying on deterrents and exclusion is far preferable for humanely preventing porch nesting issues.
When Professional Help is Needed
In some cases, barn swallow nesting issues may be persistent enough to warrant contacting a professional service for assistance:
– A large established colony resists all DIY removal efforts multiple seasons.
– Nests with eggs or young are present, requiring expert inspection and vacuum removal if necessary.
– Tight netting or spike strips must be installed overhead in hard-to-reach areas.
– Structural damage from excessive nest mud needs repair.
– Health risks like histoplasmosis from droppings call for hazmat-suit cleaning.
– Legal intervention is required for neighbors unwilling to cooperate with swallow deterrents.
Don’t hesitate to hire a reputable pest control company or wildlife management service if a barn swallow situation exceeds your abilities or comfort level. They have the experience and proper equipment to resolve nesting issues humanely and legally.
Conclusion
Barn swallow nesting on porches or buildings can create messes and be a nuisance, but there are many humane deterrent options available to homeowners seeking to dissuade them. By using intelligent design modifications and active scare devices, swallows can be discouraged from inappropriate nest locations without having to resort to harming the birds. A multipronged approach tailored to your specific situation and properly timed to avoid active nests is key for successfully resolving issues with these seasonal porch nesters. Implementing swallow-friendly alternatives like nest boxes also helps provide solutions that are beneficial to both property owners and wildlife. With some creativity and patience, the problems caused by porch-nesting swallows can be peacefully resolved each spring.
