No doubt, one of the beauties of our world is birds taking flight or nesting. We go as far as watching birds just to catch a glimpse of this beauty. If you think this is a joke, consider the over 500 chapters of the National Audubon Society in North America.
Unfortunately, regardless of their immense beauty, birds are sometimes unwanted entities. This occurs in cases where they can result in damage to properties or homes. One such case is where they nest on your porch.
In such cases, they can block the ventilation system of your home. Their nests are also flammable, constituting a fire risk. Even worse, their droppings can cause various diseases. And we haven’t considered the smell that can come from them. As such, you need to keep birds from nesting on your porch.
So, are you wondering how to get this done? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you 11 amazing ways to keep birds from nesting on your porch. Are you ready?
Dive in!
11 Genius Ways to Keep Birds From Nesting on Your Porch
1. Remove Materials that Can Attract Birds
One significant reason why you keep seeing birds on your porch is that something attracts them there. Usually, these are materials that can make a good nest for birds. For instance, if you have dried leaves and twigs on your porch, you’ll definitely record cases of birds nesting on your porch.
As such, you’ll need to make your porch less attractive if you want to keep birds out. You’ll want to remove all dried branches or leaves of any kind from your porch if you want birds far away.
Also, it would be best to check for tree branches that extend to your home’s structure. If the branches are close, then you’re calling for birds on your porch. As such, ensure you trim the branches. It would be best to allow the sunshine directly on your porch. This will give birds less reason to nest on your porch.
2. Don’t Place Your Bird Feeder on Your Porch
One mistake that we keep making is feeding birds close to our porch. Honestly, you don’t need to beat yourself up over it; we all do it. Unfortunately, that’s one thing that causes birds to nest on that beautiful porch of yours.
In case you’re wondering how it’s quite straightforward. When you feed your birds on or close to your porch, they form a bond with it. In turn, they keep returning to the porch. So, when next they want to nest, it seems like a lovely place to call their home.
As such, you’ll need to avoid this if you don’t want birds on your porch. What you need to do is place the feeder in your backyard. Yes, you’ll have to contend with bird droppings. However, the good news is that your backyard is a hidden area. So, you won’t have to worry too much.
Even more, you enjoy the added advantage of leaving your porch in excellent condition. This way, you don’t have to shy away from visitors.
Also, remember to remove any form of the food source from your porch. This way, you still don’t have birds dropping by. It would be best to add a birdbath close to the feeder in your backyard. This way, you can better isolate the birds from your backyard.
3. Fix an Electronic Repellant
You might just have removed all attractive materials from your porch. However, you haven’t seen any result as birds continue to perch on your porch. Well, you still shouldn’t be bothered.
You can go straight to installing a repellant device on your porch. It is a device that will help chase birds away from your porch. It does this by emitting high-frequency audio that the birds will find annoying. Now, thanks to this discomfort, the birds will have fewer reasons to remain on your porch.
Typically, this device can either be electricity or battery-powered. In either case, all you need to do is turn it on. As soon as it’s done, you’ll find birds staying far away from your porch.
We’ve got to say that this device is quite effective. However, you might have an issue if you’ve got a pet, such as a roaming cat. Regardless, as long as your pets stay in a different room, you’ve got nothing to worry about. This is because the repellant emits short-wave sounds that can’t penetrate thick walls.
4. Display Shiny Things
The next amazing way to keep birds off your porch is through shiny things. We understand that the use of an electronic repellant device might have some limitations. Precisely, in cases where you have multiple roaming pets in your house. So, here is something else you can try out.
You can always install or display shiny things on your porch or doorway. Don’t worry, getting them shouldn’t be stressful. You can do this online by searching for bird-proofing materials.
Now, once you add these materials, watch them do magic on your porch. They’ll effectively keep birds from nesting on your porch. We bet you might be worried that it disfigures your porch.
Well, you don’t have to. Most of these shining materials that function as bird proofing comes with a great design. As such, you can install them in your home easily.
5. Install an Irritating Light Fixture
If you’ve done one or more of the things listed above, then you should see great results. However, you might still have a case of birds nesting on your porch. Well, the war isn’t won yet. You can always go further to discourage birds from making a home out of your porch.
One way to get this done is by modifying your light fixture. In some cases, your light fixture might just stay in a way that it provides warmth to the birds. In turn, this makes your porch extremely comfortable for birds.
So, what you need to do is make the light fixture irritating. And this is a better alternative than removing the light fixture completely.
One way to do this is by adding bird spikes. Once you add bird spikes to the light fixture, birds will find it less homely. Also, you don’t have to worry about disfiguring your porch. Various options exist, and you can get one that blends in easily with your home. You can even apply some of these spikes to your roof ledge or fence.
6. Install a Wind Chime
Another excellent way to prevent birds from nesting on your porch is with wind chimes. It helps you scare birds away thanks to the sound it produces. Typically, when it gets hit by wind, it produces a chime that’s quite discomforting for birds. In turn, this means they want nothing to do with your porch.
Even more, you can get an option that shines and reflects light. A combination of sound and light will ensure that your porch stays clean of birds and their nest. The great thing about this choice is that the sounds won’t be discomforting to you. On the other hand, you’ll enjoy the chimes.
Now, you don’t need to buy a wind chime. You can develop yourself. All you need are some other old CDs. You can then mix them with sparky materials. Alternatively, you can search online and get a ready-made option.
7. Use a Mirror
Another effective option to keep birds is by using a mirror. We bet you’re asking how this will help you. Well, it won’t just help you, but it provides an effective means to avoid bird droppings on your porch.
All you need to do is get a small mirror. Then, place this mirror on your porch. You can hang it in areas where the bird is more likely to want to nest. And, of course, where sunlight can reflect off it. Once you do this, you can be sure you’ll hardly record any bird.
In case you’re wondering how this works, it’s quite simple. The mirrors reflect light and create funny shadows on your porch. Typically, birds are scared by this. So, once they see this, they’ll avoid your porch.
8. Use Decoys that Scare Birds
Another great means to prevent birds from nesting on your porch is using decoys to scare them away. While it isn’t exactly the most popular option, it remains optimal and effective.
All you need to get is an inanimate object that looks like a bird-predator. Then, place it somewhere close to your porch. This will ensure birds don’t come near your porch.
You should know that this works on a basic principle. Precisely, birds can recognize their predators. However, where properly designed, they can’t tell between a fake and a real predator. So, when they see the decoy, they steer clear. Examples of useful decoys include plastic ducks, scarecrows, plastic owls, plastic coyotes, and plastic swans.
However, keep in mind that this isn’t exactly foolproof. If you fail to adopt other preventive measures, the birds might realize it’s just a decoy in time.
9. Use a Real Predator
Now, while using decoy sounds like good news, it isn’t exactly perfect. Like we mentioned earlier, the birds might just figure out that it’s a decoy. One way to be sure that they don’t come near your porch is through a real predator.
Not only are they effective, but you can also put your pets to great use. All you need to do is have your pet – cat or dog walk around your porch. Even more, you can install a catwalk or drop a cozy rug for your cat on the porch. Once you do this, your pets will naturally go there and act as deterrents.
10. Drop Baking Soda on the Surface
Another amazing way to keep birds from nesting on your porch is through baking soda. Typically, it makes the surface somewhat sticky, and birds don’t like that.
So, coat areas that are more likely to record perching with baking soda. Remember that you only need a thin layer. Once you do this, you’ll hardly find birds in your perch.
However, remember that you’ll have to do this quite often. This is especially in cases where the area gets wet, or it rains. Once you re-coat, you’re good to go.
11. Spray a Citrusy Repellant
Last on our list of options is to use a citrusy repellant. Traditionally, birds hate the fragrance. So, when you spray it on your porch, you discourage them from coming to your porch. As an advantage, you’ll also have your porch smelling all great.
You can purchase ready-made options in the market. Alternatively, you can make yours by diluting lemon juice with water. You can even add lemon slices to your porch to increase the smell.
Conclusion
Getting rid of birds shouldn’t bother you anymore. In this article, we’ve listed 11 amazing ways that allow you to do this. So, read up and keep your porch looking great.