How To Remove Bird’s Nest? Tips And Precautions On Bird Nest Removal

Birds are not usually regarded as pests, however, when they begin to nest on your home, then you might experience trouble. If this really happens, then you need to know about bird nest removal. While birders might appreciate performing host to nesting birds and seeing parents raise their newborn ones. However, birds do not always build their nests in a suitable or safe location. 

Before removing the bird nests, it is essential to know local laws. The laws might include wildlife removal, whether or not removing the nest is comfortable and safe for the birds.

Is It Illegal To Remove The Birds Nest?

Before altering, interfering, or removing any bird’s nest in any way, determine whether or not the disturbance is legal according to regional, local, and national wildlife laws. Many birds are protected species, and removing or tampering with the eggs or nest can lead to hefty fines or penalties.

In America, it is legal to destroy or remove any active nest from the native bird species, defined as the nest with brooding adults or eggs in it. However, if the nest has no eggs or been abandoned for a time period, then it can be destroyed or removed as needed. Nests of invasive birds like European starlings or house sparrows are not protected at any time. 

Moreover, laws in other countries might vary, and before interfering with any nest so it is best to know the bird species and learn how local laws could apply to the actions.

Why Remove Nests?

It might be desirable and necessary to remove bird nests, both for convenience and safety in some circumstances. Usual ideas to remove nests include:

• Nest has left after the breeding period has ended.
  
• The nest is currently not used and has become old and risky for future use.
  
• Nest is in the bird, which needs to be washed out for future homes or winter use.
  
• The nest is in a vulnerable location, and brooding birds could become injured or stressed.

In many cases, after the nesting season has ended and the birds have moved on, the nests can and should be removed. However, if the birds have built the nests in poor locations, the nest might need to be eliminated earlier to safeguard both the adult bird and the chicks. Dangerous locations typically include:

• Busy walkway or near a door
• Drainage pipe or inside the gutter
• Inside connected dryer vents
• On equipment like lawnmower or grill
• Inside the chimney
• On a car tire or bumper
• The highly active area like the playground equipment, warehouse, construction zone

So, how to stop birds from building a nest? If birds have built the nest in these types of locations, then it is best to remove the nest, and it will discourage the birds from building the nest in the same spot.

If the dangerous nest already has eggs or chicks, then contact the bird rescue organization to check if they can take in the baby birds until the birds are mature enough to leave the nest. 

It might also be possible to move the nest to a safer location nearby. The birds will return to the nearby nest to stay raising their young. After the chick has left, measures can be taken to keep the adults from reusing the dangerous location.

Nests You Should Not Remove

There are some nests that should not be removed unless proper wildlife authorities are consulted, or there is absolutely no other choice to keep the nesting birds safe. This nest includes:

• Threatened or endangered birds are unlikely to build a new nest if they are disturbed.
  
• Nests of big birds like raptors or herons will be reused for several years.
  
• Owl and raptor nests, where defending adults can be dangerous and aggressive.
  
• Natural cavities would be destroyed in order to eliminate the nest.
  
• Any nest in early summer might be reused for additional broods.
  
• Nests that would be dangerous or unsafe for humans to go and remove.

When in doubt, it is always best to contact the wildlife experts about nest removal. Or you can wait until the birds have left the nest before taking any steps.

How To Get Rid Of Birds Nest

When it is suitable and safe to eliminate the bird’s nest, care must be taken to be properly destroyed.

• Double-check the nest for any remaining chicks and eggs, and wait to be sure the birds have all been out of the nest for many days before removing the nest. Moreover, young birds will return occasionally to the nest for some days trying handouts from their adult birds. After some days, they will move on, and they no longer visit the nest.
  
• Wear gloves when handling the nest to protect against bacteria, parasites, and mites that might have contaminated the nest. Small bugs might be nearly unlikely to be seen in the nesting debris. Or the bird’s nest might be contaminated with several types of mold and germs that could harm humans.
  
• If possible, add an abandoned nest to the compost pile. Or you can dispose of it in a plastic bag so animals are not drawn to the nesting area where growing birds might still be in danger. The bird’s nest material will easily decompose or might be used in this nest by other nesting birds.
  
• Wash the area where the nest is located. Also, you can use the solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water. Remember, it is not necessary to clean the bush or tree where the nest was located. However, you can clean the artificial surfaces like the roof, gutter, nesting shelf, or hanging bracket.

If you do not want birds using the same area after removing the nest, you have to take some measures to prevent birds from rebuilding. Changing the surface shape where the birds build their nest by adding the spikes or slanted board to do it less welcoming will help discourage nesting.

You can also place a carved snake or cat decoy near the nesting area that can give the illusion of threat to discourage birds. Vigilance at the start of the nesting season can be critical and removal the bird nest. Before they are completed will help make unwise birds move to another area to raise the families.

Final Words

Watching birds nesting is always a treat; however, there are several times when the nest is not placed appropriately either for birders or birds. By understanding the laws behind the bird nest removal and how to remove a bird nest properly, it is possible to encourage more reliable nesting in a reliable way. 

Moreover, if you want to get rid of birds, then check out how to make a scarecrow. If you find this information useful, drop a comment below this section.