While birds are an important part of nature and are often enjoyable to have around, when they begin to nest in or around the house it can lead to problems. Noise may become a concern, as well as appearance, as nests begin to form and bird droppings pile up. Additionally, a bird problem can pose risks to health as well, so steps should be taken to prevent or resolve problematic situations. Often a bird problem is only temporary, and they will soon leave without any action on the part of the homeowner. However, if the problem persists for extended periods of time, it may be necessary to take steps to address the issue.
Birds often use the chimney, eaves and roof vents as starting places for their nests. If the nests begin to clog up the chimney and vents, it can lead to problems with ventilation and pose a hazard to those living in the house. Bird nests in the fireplace can lead to a potentially dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide in the home, as gases build up with no place to go. Bird nests also attract parasites and result in a large amount of droppings, both of which can lead to serious disease and health problems.
To prevent birds from becoming a problem, it is best to attempt to seal off the areas that they are most likely to nest in and cause problems. Mesh over the entry to vents and the chimney can prevent birds from entering, but they should only be installed if the areas are already clear of birds. Additionally, deterrents such as spikes can be installed for birds such as pigeons that tend to perch in flocks to prevent them from gathering and creating a mess. A number of environmentally safe repellents are available if neither of those work, such as decoys made to look like birds of prey, bird alarms, and nontoxic chemical repellents. The effectiveness of these methods varies for each individual species of bird, so be sure to look into which method will provide the best results.
Before attempting to address a bird problem, it is important to know the laws in your area. Most bird species are protected, and killing or harming them is illegal, so care must be taken to do things in a lawful manner. Many areas have a local wildlife or animal control service that can assist in taking care of chronic bird problems in a humane manner. Local authorities may grant specific permission to individual homeowners to take action to address a bird problem, so be sure to contact the local game and wildlife department as well.