Why do I have so many barn swallows in my yard?

Barn swallows are a familiar sight in many backyards during the spring and summer months. If you’ve noticed more barn swallows than usual hanging around your home and property, there are some likely reasons why.

What Attracts Barn Swallows to a Yard?

Barn swallows are migratory birds that breed during the summer across most of North America. They build distinctive mud nests on vertical surfaces like house walls, barns, and sheds. Barn swallows are drawn to yards and properties that provide suitable nesting spots as well as plenty of flying insects to eat. Here are some of the key factors that may attract barn swallows to your yard:

• Open structures like barns, sheds, garages, or covered porches for nesting
• A pond, creek, or other water source that draws flying insects
• Open fields or grassy areas where insects congregate
• Feeders stocked with seed that attract small birds and insects
• Livestock like horses or cattle that stir up insects as they graze
• Bridges, culverts, or construction sites with crevices for nesting

Barn swallows are quite social and often gather in large groups. If your yard has the right habitat, one pair may attract many more to nest there too. The presence of nests from previous years may lure the birds back to the same spots.

What Do Barn Swallows Eat?

The diet of barn swallows consists almost entirely of flying insects like flies, beetles, moths, bees, wasps, and flying ants or termites. They capture insects while airborne using their excellent aerial maneuverability and wide gapes. Here are some of the ways barn swallows find food in yards:

• Hawk insects over open fields and grasslands
• Snatch insects swarming around livestock or horse stables
• Feed near water sources where insects congregate
• Catch bugs attracted to yard and garden flowers
• Sweep low over lawns to grab lawn pests
• Glean insects from surfaces like roads, fences, and walls

Barn swallows need to consume hundreds of insects daily to get enough nutrition. So if your yard provides a reliable supply of flying insects, it can readily support many barn swallows.

Do Barn Swallows Eat Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes make up a small part of the barn swallow’s diet. They eat some mosquitoes along with many other flying insects. While barn swallows help control mosquito populations, they do not rely on mosquitoes as a primary food source.

Impact of Barn Swallows on Yards

Seeing more barn swallows in your yard can have some mixed effects. On the positive side, barn swallows:

• Eat insect pests like flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and moths
• Are harmless to humans and pets
• Are fun to watch aerially hunting insects
• Are indicators of a healthy insect population

However, barn swallows can also cause some problems:

• Droppings can stain walls, patio furniture, cars, etc.
• Mud nests may need to be cleaned from walls and structures
• Dead nestlings or droppings can build up under nests
• Nests above doorways can become messy and inconvenient

So while barn swallows help control insects, their nesting habits can make quite a mess. Using deterrents and removing old nests can help manage swallows that become a nuisance.

How to Deter Barn Swallows From Nesting in Your Yard

It is against federal law to disturb or destroy active barn swallow nests, so it’s important to use preventive measures before they start building nests each spring. Here are some tips to make your yard less attractive to nesting barn swallows:

• Install plastic sheeting or mesh over ledges, eaves, and cavities where they often construct nests
• Place deterrent devices like fake owls, flashing lights, or Chat balloons near potential nest sites
• Use insecticides or landscaping to reduce the insect population around your home
• Block access to indoor rafters, carports, and other covered areas
• Remove and clean old nests from prior years so they aren’t tempted to reuse them
• Trim back vegetation that provides hiding spots for nests

It may take some experimenting to find the most effective deterrents for your particular property.

Can I Remove Barn Swallow Nests?

You cannot legally remove or disturb active barn swallow nests that contain eggs or chicks. But old, unused nests can be removed in the fall and winter when the birds have migrated south. Be sure to knock down and dispose of the old nests so they aren’t reused the next year.

Natural Ways to Reduce Insects That Attract Swallows

Making your yard less insect-friendly can make it less attractive to foraging barn swallows. Here are some eco-friendly ways to reduce flying insects in your yard:

• Eliminate any standing water sources like buckets or clogged gutters where mosquitoes breed
• Let grass grow taller to reduce exposed soil where insects live
• Avoid using mulch right next to your home, as it harbors insects
• Cut back brush and dense vegetation that provides insect habitat
• Grow native plants that attract insect-eating birds and bats
• Introduce predator insects like ladybugs or praying mantis to naturally control pests

A bonus of reducing yard insects is fewer bothersome bugs to hassle you as well!

Should I Use Insecticides to Repel Swallows?

Using chemical pesticides and insecticides is an option for lowering the insect population around your home. However, this method has some downsides:

• Insecticides can be toxic to beneficial pollinators and wildlife
• Frequent reapplication is needed as the chemicals break down quickly
• Swallows may still nest on your home even with fewer insects around
• The chemicals can be hazardous to children and pets in the yard

For these reasons, start with natural deterrents first before resorting to chemical insecticides. If you do use them, hire a licensed exterminator to apply the minimum amount necessary.

Insecticide Sprays vs. Systemics

Insecticide sprays have to be reapplied often as they break down quickly. Systemic insecticides are taken up by the plants and can provide longer-lasting control, but may also affect pollinators. Limit insecticide use to targeted problem areas.

Tips for Coexisting With Barn Swallows

Since barn swallows are protected migratory birds, we can’t always prevent them from nesting on our property. Here are some tips for peacefully coexisting if you end up playing host to nesting swallows:

• Install boards or plastic sheeting above or below nests to catch droppings
• Place a tarp, gravel, or sand where nests are located to collect fallen debris
• Prune back nearby trees/shrubs to reduce insect-sheltering foliage
• Use umbrella or canopy to shield patios and entrances from overhead nests
• Wear a hat and wash exposed skin/hair if walking under nests
• Clean any fresh droppings daily with a hose; dried-on stains require scrubbing
• Discourage nests on frequently used doors and walkways with deterrents

Learning to live with barn swallows can take some adjustment. But watching their graceful flights and voracious insect-catching can be rewarding. With some preparation and cleanup, they don’t have to be a huge nuisance.

Key Takeaways on Barn Swallows in Your Yard

• Barn swallows flock to yards with suitable nesting sites, open flying space, and lots of flying insects to eat.
• They help control mosquitoes, flies, and garden pests, but their droppings can be messy.
• Legally you cannot remove active nests, so focus on prevention before nesting season.
• Reduce insects naturally by eliminating standing water sources and trimming dense vegetation.
• Deterrents, barriers, and removing old nests can help prevent re-nesting.
• With tolerance and some clean-up, barn swallows and homeowners can successfully coexist.

Conclusion

Barn swallows tend to show up in yards that mimic their natural habitat – open spaces near water with an abundant insect population. While their voracious insect-eating benefits the yard, their droppings and mud nests can also make a mess. The key is using preventive deterrents and habitat modification to dissuade them from nesting up close to your home. With some clever landscaping and tolerant coexistence, you can minimize the annoyances while still enjoying the aerial acrobatics of barn swallows hunting for food in your yard.