Spring has officially sprung and that means the comeback of our favorite rooftop guests: birds.
While you want birds to have a safe place to raise their offspring, your gutters aren’t the best option. Bird nests can actually cause a slew of problems if left alone, but taking them down can be another challenge. So how to keep birds from making nests in unwanted places? How to keep birds out of gutters?
The gutter pros show you how to keep birds away from your gutters with a few simple tips.
Why bird nests are bad for your gutters
Before we get to the ways we can prevent birds from roosting in your gutters, it’s important to touch on why birds are bad for them in the first place.
The most obvious reason is the possibility of the bird’s nest clogging your gutter. Though it’s unlikely that a single nest will clog your spout, the accumulation of a few nests can lead to some preventable issues.
Not only can these nests lead to overflow that damages your lawn, the increased weight from the water can cause sagging at a much quicker rate, and even cause gutters to fall from the house. This can result in necessary gutter replacements.
After a nesting incident, be sure to look up gutter installation services and their reviews to ensure a quality, reliable gutter replacement.
Safe bird nest removal
Do it sooner than later. Some birds can get quite territorial if there are eggs or young offspring present, so the smartest course of action is to wait until nesting season is over. Ensuring your safety is the most important thing when removing a bird’s nest.
Though bird nests seem fairly easy to remove, there are a few precautions to take to remove it safely and without risking getting diseases or bacteria.
Additionally, look up any bird protection laws in your area before attempting to remove it. If the bird and its nest are protected, you could be hit with a fairly heavy fine for its removal.
If you do attempt to do it yourself, make sure you have a ladder and spotter so you don’t fall. In addition, wear protective eyewear and long-sleeved clothing — birds and their feces carry diseases on their claws, beaks, and nests.
If the nest is old, there might be other animals or bugs living inside that still require precaution. Once the nest is removed, clean it with a disinfectant to stop diseases and bacteria from spreading.
If you have never done it before and you’re not sure who to call for bird nest removal, consider calling animal control or a gutter cleaning company before you try to do it yourself.
If a gutter replacement is necessary following a nest removal, consider calling gutter installation services for a consultation.
How to keep birds out of gutters
There are a few great ways to prevent birds from nesting in your gutters.
1. Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
Many use stainless steel bird spikes to deter birds from perching, while others prefer gutter spikes to prevent birds from landing on gutter edges.
2. Visual deterrents
You can also try using visual deterrents that act like an alarm, such as foil tapes that create noise and reflect light. Using a combination of these options is also a great idea if you have a significant bird issue in your area.
By placing such reflective elements around the areas you notice nests, you can effectively prevent birds nesting in gutters.
3. Clean your gutters regularly
Finally, you should also clean your gutters regularly of any debris or build-up at least twice a year to keep birds out of gutters.
Consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning company or contact other gutter installation services to discuss your options.
There are so many aspects of homeownership that often go overlooked, but it’s these little tasks that actually save you from major problems. Neglecting even the smallest part of home maintenance can end up costing you a significant amount of money on repair expenses and could severely damage your home’s structure.
Gutter replacement is a key aspect of property ownership that a lot of homeowners seem to neglect. If you don’t take care of your gutters, your entire housing structure will be in jeopardy of suffering expensive physical damage.
If you’re planning on moving to a new location in the next few months or even years, you need to make sure you’re considering every single aspect of moving to a new area. You can’t just pack your bags, move into a new place, and expect everything to go well. There are going to be mishaps and complications along the way, so it’s best to plan ahead and do everything you can to stay on top of these potential issues.
The winter is finally over and it’s time to start preparing for the nice weather. No matter what kind of roof you have on your home, new or old, it’s important to make sure your gutters are 100% clean and properly functioning. Keep in mind, the majority of newer roofs are built to withstand loads of snow of between 15 to 30 pounds per square feet, and all that snow can drop down into the gutters and cause serious issues.
If you’re a homeowner, you probably know how important gutters are to your home’s structural integrity. They trap any water from rain or snow that’s melted and prevent it from coming into your home.
Homeowners have many responsibilities, and taking care of their gutters can often fall by the wayside. Neglecting gutter care, however, can lead to some serious structural issues and result in shelling out a significant amount of money for repairs.
