Quick Answers
Birds build nests during breeding season to lay eggs and raise their young. It is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to remove or disturb active nests that contain eggs or baby birds. If the nest on your balcony is currently active, it’s best to leave it alone until the babies have fully fledged and left the nest. This usually takes 2-4 weeks. Once the nest is empty, it’s safe to remove it. Nests that are not active can be taken down at any time. When doing so, wear gloves and mask to avoid direct contact with droppings, feathers or mites. Rinse the area with a hose and mild detergent.
When Can I Remove a Birds Nest?
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects over 1,000 species of birds in the United States. Under this law, it is illegal to remove or destroy a nest that contains eggs or baby birds. Doing so can result in fines up to $15,000 and even prison time.
Here are some guidelines on when you can legally remove a nest from your balcony:
Active Nests
If the nest has eggs or baby birds in it, leave it alone! Nestlings are very vulnerable and often die if their nest is disturbed. Wait until all the babies have fully fledged and left the nest. This usually takes 2-4 weeks after the eggs hatch. Signs the babies have fledged include:
- The nest looks empty, flattened or is falling apart
- You haven’t seen the parents visiting the nest for several days
- You see the fledglings hopping around near the nest
Once the fledglings are capable of leaving the nest, it is safe to remove.
Inactive Nests
If the nest is empty and no birds are using it, you can remove it at any time. It’s easiest to do so after breeding season is fully over, around late summer to early fall.
Some tips:
- Check the nest with a flashlight to make absolutely sure it’s inactive
- Wear thick gloves and a particle mask to avoid direct contact with droppings, feathers or mites
- Seal any collected materials in a plastic bag and dispose of safely
- Rinse the area afterwards with a hose and mild detergent if needed
How to Humanely Deter Birds from Nesting
To discourage birds from rebuilding nests on your balcony next year, there are some gentle deterrents you can try:
Physical Barriers
Block access to potential nesting spots by hanging wind chimes, mirrors or other reflective surfaces. You can also install netting or mesh over balcony railings, eaves and light fixtures where they like to build. Just be sure to remove any existing nests first.
Repellent Gels & Scents
Non-toxic gels and scents made from mint, garlic or capsaicin can deter nesting. Apply them along railings, windowsills and doorway edges. Reapply frequently as the scent fades.
Sound Devices
Motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic repellers or predatory bird sounds can scare off visiting birds. Use intermittently and move devices around to maximize effectiveness. Avoid constantly running sound devices as birds will become accustomed to them.
Population Control
Installing nest boxes on your property provides competition for cavity nesters like pigeons, sparrows and starlings. Monitor boxes weekly and remove nesting materials as needed. Nest boxes for native songbirds may also help, as competitors may keep problematic species away.
Carefully follow all laws and regulations when attempting to manage bird populations. Seek guidance from your state wildlife agency if needed.
The Pros of Removing Nests
Here are some of the benefits of removing old nests from your balcony:
Prevents Rebuilding
Taking down empty nests after breeding season prevents birds from rebuilding in the same spots year after year. This can help reduce nesting attempts on your property over time if done consistently.
Limits Mess
Old nests are full of droppings, feathers, eggshell fragments and other messy debris. Removing them helps keep your balcony clean and sanitary.
Reduces Pests
Bird nests can attract mites, ticks and other parasites. Cleaning nests out improves pest control and reduces health risks to you and your family.
Discourages Rooftop Colonies
For apartment or condo dwellers, removing nests on balconies helps prevent larger bird colonies from taking over the building’s roof. This contains the overall mess and damage to the property.
Avoids Structural Damage
Built up debris can clog gutters or damage exterior surfaces. Removing nests reduces these risks and the need for costly repairs.
| Pros | Details |
|---|---|
| Prevents Rebuilding | Deters birds from using the same sites repeatedly |
| Limits Mess | Gets rid of droppings, feathers and debris |
| Reduces Pests | Lessens mites, ticks and other parasites |
| Discourages Colonies | Contains large rooftop bird populations |
| Avoids Damage | Reduces risks to structure and need for repairs |
The Cons of Removing Nests
There are also some downsides to removing bird nests from your property:
Leaves Birds Homeless
Taking down nests leaves birds without suitable habitat to raise their young. This can negatively impact wild bird populations.
Risk of Injury
Improper nest removal can result in injuries to birds, babies falling from the nest and human injuries from defensive parents.
Difficult Clean-up
Nests can be placed in hard to access areas. Removing all the nesting material and debris can be physically demanding.
May Not Deter Nesting
Persistently problematic species like pigeons may rebuild nests repeatedly even after removal. Ongoing maintenance is required.
Temporary Solution
Simply removing nests treats a symptom, not the root cause. Birds will often nest elsewhere on the property without preventative action.
| Cons | Details |
|---|---|
| Leaves Birds Homeless | Reduces suitable habitat for raising young |
| Risk of Injury | Can harm birds and people if done improperly |
| Difficult Clean-up | Physically demanding removal of all debris |
| May Not Deter Nesting | Problematic species may persistently rebuild |
| Temporary Solution | Doesn’t address root cause of issue |
Conclusion
Be Patient with Active Nests
The best approach is to avoid disturbing or destroying active nests containing eggs or young birds. While waiting for babies to fledge, try non-invasive deterrents to discourage nesting in the future.
Remove Empty Nests Safely
Once birds have permanently left the nest, it’s ok to dismantle it. Take proper safety precautions and thoroughly clean the area afterwards.
Use Preventative Measures
To achieve lasting results, install physical barriers, use repellents and address factors that attract birds after removing nests. A proactive integrated approach works best.
The decision to remove an empty nest ultimately depends on the specific situation. Assess how problematic the nesting is, the safety risks and your willingness to invest time in prevention. With some planning and patience, birds and people can peacefully coexist.
