Barn swallows are a familiar sight in rural areas, often nesting in barns and other structures. While their aerial acrobatics can be entertaining to watch, they can also cause problems with nests and droppings building up inside buildings. If you need to discourage barn swallows from nesting in an area, there are a few effective techniques to humanely keep them away.
Why get rid of barn swallows?
There are a few main reasons why homeowners and property owners seek to deter barn swallows:
- Large nests built of mud can damage or stain walls and ceilings
- Droppings and feathers can accumulate and cause messes
- Some people are concerned about potential health hazards from accumulated bird droppings
- Nests may attract mites or other pests
- Birds can be noisy when nesting, especially with hungry chicks
However, it’s important to note that barn swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This means it is illegal to kill or harm the birds, their eggs, or active nests without a permit. Any control measures must be humane and prevent swallows from building new nests or reusing old ones in an area.
When do barn swallows nest?
Barn swallows migrate north to their breeding range in spring, arriving in March, April or May depending on your location. They quickly begin seeking suitable nesting sites, favoring areas inside barns and other structures with open rafters or ledges near the ceiling.
Nest building reaches its peak in late spring and early summer. The female constructs the nest out of mud pellets, often with a lined cup of grasses and feathers. Swallows may raise up to 3 broods per breeding season. Nestlings fledge in about 18-23 days after hatching.
In late summer and fall, barn swallows gather in large flocks before migrating south to their wintering grounds in South and Central America and the Caribbean. This is when they are no longer nesting or causing issues around properties in the north.
How to humanely prevent barn swallow nesting
Here are some effective and humane ways to deter barn swallows from nesting in an area:
Install nest exclusion devices
Installing physical barriers can prevent swallows from building nests. Stainless steel wire mesh, plastic netting, or porcupine wire can be attached over ledges, rafters, or other potential nesting spots. Be sure to install well before nesting season begins.
Alter roosting spots
Modify surfaces to make an area less appealing for nesting. You can slide boards to narrow ledges so they are too small to support nests, or apply anti-perching gel. Be sure no active nests are present before altering areas.
Use decoys and deterrents
Scare tape, flashing lights, and predator decoys like fake owls can help deter swallows from initially attempting to nest. Reflective surfaces and sounds may also work. These measures are most effective before nesting habits are established.
Clean and limit food sources
Since swallows feed on flying insects, limiting food sources around your property can make it less attractive. Fix any eave and roof leaks that allow insects inside, use insecticide sprays or bait where appropriate, and clean up livestock feed that spreads grains and attracts pests.
Discourage with repellents
Non-toxic tactile repellents can be applied to surfaces to keep birds away. Options include sticky gels, spike strips, or slippery sloping agents. Reapply as needed according to product instructions, especially after cleaning off old nests.
When to get help with swallow problems
In some cases, it’s best to hire a professional pest control service to get rid of barn swallows. This is recommended if:
- There is an extensive infestation and multiple nests already established
- Prevention attempts have failed to stop nest building
- Nests are high up or in difficult to reach spots
- There are concerns about getting rid of nests with eggs or hatchlings
Professional services may use humane chemical fumigants or microbial gels to clear nests. Getting professional help avoids safety risks from climbing and allows proper removal of protected nests containing eggs.
Can I remove barn swallow nests myself?
You can personally remove barn swallow nests if they are inactive and no longer contain eggs or hatchlings. This is best done after the breeding season ends in your area and the birds have migrated away.
To remove empty nests:
- Use a garden sprayer to thoroughly soak the nest with water
- Let the mud nest material soak and soften for at least 20-30 minutes
- Carefully knock down the nest using a stiff brush, putty knife, or scraper
- Power wash any remaining mud or material off the surface
Wear protective gear like safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask to stay safe when dismantling nests yourself. Avoid inhaling any debris or bird droppings.
After removing nests, install exclusion devices like wire mesh or netting right away so swallows cannot rebuild in the same spots next season.
Natural swallow deterrent ideas
Some people prefer to try natural methods before resorting to more intensive exclusion tools and professional services. Natural deterrent options to try include:
- Planting aromatic herbs like mint, lavender, or garlic around your property
- Using essential oils unappealing to birds like eucalyptus, tea tree, or lemongrass oil
- Hanging aluminum pie pans or old CD discs to create reflective flashes
- Putting up owl effigies, predator eyes, or hawk kites to scare birds
- Applying natural repellent sprays made with ingredients like black pepper, chili powder, or mustard oil
Note that these natural solutions may be less consistently effective than physical exclusion methods. But they are worth trying first before moving on to more intensive control measures.
Will getting a cat help with swallow issues?
Some people consider getting an outdoor cat to help scare away barn swallows and other pesky birds. However, this is not really an effective solution. Here’s why:
- Cats pose their own problems with fleas, wastes, dead prey, etc.
- There’s no guarantee a cat will catch birds – they may be more interested in small rodents.
- Cat predation won’t deter new swallows from attempting to nest in the area.
- Outdoor cats have much shorter average lifespans than indoor cats.
A better option than a free-roaming outdoor cat is to use prop cat decoys, cat silhouettes, or plastic predator replicas to scare birds. These provide the visual deterrent without the risks and effort of a real cat.
Key points for getting rid of barn swallows
In summary, here are some key tips for ridding buildings and other structures of barn swallow issues:
- Never directly kill or harm barn swallows – seek humane deterrents only
- Timing is critical – act early before the nesting season begins
- Seal openings and repair leaks to limit insect food sources
- Install physical exclusion devices to prevent nest building
- Alter roosting sites to make them less appealing
- Consider professional help for extensive swallow infestations
- Only remove inactive nests after migration season ends
Impact of climate change on barn swallows
Some research suggests barn swallow populations may be affected as climate change alters their breeding and migration habits. Here are some potential impacts:
- Earlier spring arrival to northern nesting grounds due to warming temperatures
- Extended breeding range farther north than historic norms
- Shifts in timing of migration and prey availability
- Increased risk of population declines if synchrony with food sources is disrupted
One study found the first barn swallow arrival date in the Northern Great Plains has moved 15 days earlier in recent decades compared to historical averages. This and other habitat changes could force swallows to alter lifelong migration patterns.
Barn swallow facts
Here are some key facts about barn swallows:
- There are 6 species of swallows in the Hirundo genus found throughout North America.
- Barn swallows have blue upperparts, cinnamon underparts, a forked tail, and reddish-orange forehead and throat.
- They are extremely agile fliers that catch flying insects midair.
- Barn swallows migrate thousands of miles – those in Alaska may winter as far as Argentina.
- Pairs often return to repair and reuse the same nesting site for multiple breeding seasons.
- The American barn swallow population is estimated at around 74 million.
Legal status of barn swallows
All swallow species in the US are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This makes it illegal to harm or kill swallows, their eggs, or active nests in almost all cases. Fines under this act can be up to $15,000 and 6 months imprisonment per individual bird violated.
Some exceptions may be made for public health issues or aircraft safety hazards. But in most situations, deterrents that only prevent nesting and don’t actually destroy nests, eggs, or swallows are required.
Be sure to check your own state and local laws too. For example, some areas may have additional restrictions on disturbing or excluding native swallows during breeding seasons.
Comparisons to other bird species
Barn swallows have some habits and control methods in common with other species of pest birds:
Pigeons
Pigeons are also highly prone to nesting and roosting on human structures. Like swallow deterrents, pigeon control relies heavily on exterior nest exclusion through devices like netting and wire mesh. Population control and nest removal may also be used.
European starlings
An invasive pest species, European starlings often compete with native swallows for nesting cavities. Deterrents like frightening devices, nest exclusion, and removal of food sources can be used to manage both starlings and barn swallows.
House sparrows
House sparrows are another non-native cavity nesting species. While house sparrows and barn swallows don’t directly compete, their populations can both be reduced through habitat modification and frightening techniques.
Gulls
Gull overpopulation leads to noise, droppings, and damage issues similar to barn swallows. Tactile deterrents like sticky gels work on ledges and rooftops to repel both species. Population control may also be warranted in severe cases.
Conclusion
Barn swallows pose some nuisance and mess issues when they nest on human structures. But through humane proofing withexclusion devices, nest removal after migration, and other passive deterrents, they can be controlled without harming these beneficial insect-eating birds. Being sure to act before the breeding season, sealing up insect access points, and using professional help when needed will lead to the best results in resolving barn swallow problems.