Having birds choose your roof as their nesting place may seem awesome at first. After all, having some chirpy friends can be a true joy. However, after a while, everyone ends up changing the tune. Bird nests carry a lot of detriments. They can make a mess of your property, making it look ghastly. They can be a danger to your home and its vital systems. And, worst of all, they can be a true health hazard. Especially so if left unattended, as even a single nest can grow into a full infestation. Therefore, if you notice new tenants, relocating a birds nest from your roof should become your immediate priority. Here’s some advice from Peak Services bird control specialists that will help you do that in a safe and efficient way.
Moving a bird’s nest should be done swiftly, but not irresponsibly.
Things to be aware of before relocating a birds nest from your roof
A swift and decisive course of action is a must when you notice a bird’s nest on your roof. However, you can’t just grab it, move it, and call it a day. Well, in essence, that’s about it. But, the issue is much more complex, as there are several things to address prior to taking action. These include ensuring:
- Your safety and that of your property;
- You can move the nest without legal repercussions;
- Removing the nest won’t jeopardize the birds and their eggs/offspring.
So, let’s break each of these factors down.
Safety is the top priority
Bird nest removal isn’t exactly an everyday activity. It is a risky prospect and should be approached as such. Before you start, make sure to you’re prepared for the escapade. First, the rooftop isn’t the safest place to spend your time at. Up there, even a minor slip-up can lead to a major injury. Therefore, climbing gear, at least basic, is an absolute must.
Next, roofs aren’t the cleanest of places. Especially if overtaken by birds. There can be excrement from multiple sources, including rodents that are attracted to bird nests. This type of dirt can cause severe health issues, some of which can have a lethal outcome. So, you’ll need to protect yourself accordingly.
Lastly, birds love making their homes in various nooks and crannies. Sometimes, said spaces aren’t only hard to reach, but a true safety hazard for your home in general. A nest that blocks the gutter, vent, chimney, or any other critical system can cause massive damage if removed improperly. If this is the case, the best course of action is to turn to the pros. Otherwise, there’s a great chance you’ll create more and bigger problems, that can result in a hefty repair bill.
Safety gear is a must when relocating a bird’s nest from your roof.
The legal side of relocating a birds nest from your roof
Another roadblock you may encounter when moving a bird’s nest is the law. See, there’s this little thing called The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). It protects more than 800 bird species, including most that can nest on your property. So, before you even think of relocating a birds nest from your roof, you’ll have to make sure the law is on your side. In most cases, your options boil down to:
- Contacting a local bird rescue organization;
- Hiring bird removal specialists to move the nest;
- Procuring necessary permits to DIY it.
Granted, there are some exceptions. Feral pigeons, for instance, do not fall under the MBTA. So, you can safely call pigeon removal Las Vegas specialists to deal with the problem, and call it a day. Not by coincidence, this is also the best way to deal with the issue.
Even so, it doesn’t mean you should approach the problem lightly or unprepared. Instead, take some time to do the research. Check local and state laws, as well as sources that will help you clearly distinguish protected from unprotected nests. That way, you won’t risk getting in trouble with the law and paying hefty fines.
Be humane when moving a bird’s nest
Annoying as they may be, birds are still living beings. As such, they deserve to be treated fairly. Fortunately, removing a bird’s nest from your roof doesn’t have to come down to drastic measures. Instead, you may try to simply dissuade them from nesting. You can do this by:
- Luring the birds away. If the nest isn’t active yet (i.e. there are no eggs or hatchlings in it) you can set up a birdhouse somewhere else on your property. Provide easy access to food, water, and nest building materials, et voila – they’ll most often move on their own.
- Scare them into moving. This is a bit more extreme solution but still doesn’t harm the birds. Scare tactics work great on birds, and there are a lot of ways to do it, from scarecrows to predatory sound boxes.
- Remove the convenience. Nesting birds love to have every “amenity” close by. Therefore, if you remove food, water, and nesting materials, they won’t like your roof that much anymore. Often, this is as easy as keeping your yard clean with the help of artificial turf maintenance companies.
However, do keep in mind that this approach only works if the nest isn’t active. If there are eggs or hatchlings in it, you will have to consider other options.
Humane methods are always the best.
Moving an active nest
Now, we know this isn’t exactly what you want to hear, but here it goes. If the nest is active, it is best not to disturb it. For the most part, the nesting season only lasts for two to three months. This is enough time for eggs to hatch, and baby birds to grow and take flight. So, if the situation isn’t critical, leave them be until they leave on their own.
On the flip side, if the nest presents a safety hazard, there may be no other choice but to move it. However, meddling with it may cause parent birds never to return. And, that would spell certain doom for the babies. Therefore, in this case, it is best to turn to the pros. Rescue organizations and wildlife rehab centers are your best bet. They will know how to move the nest without jeopardizing the well-being of younglings.
Moving an inactive nest
Relocating an inactive nest is as easy as ABC. All you need to do is gently pick it up, so as not to break it, and move it where it suits you. Of course, always be mindful of safety precautions. There’s no point in relocating a birds nest from your roof if you’re jeopardizing your well-being.
Moving an inactive nest is OK. Relocating an active one – not so much.
The best thing about moving an inactive nest is that it won’t stay inactive. It is quite common for birds to reuse existing nests – even if they are not their own. So, by doing this, you will solve the problem and help a bird family in the process. Definitely a win-win situation.
Things to do after removing a birds nest from your roof
Once you moved the nest to a happier place, you will have to address the “fallout”. As we mentioned, bird’s nesting grounds aren’t clean. In fact, they are the exact opposite – dirty and unsanitary. Therefore, the first order of business is to clean and disinfect your roof and the area around your house. However, this is an even riskier prospect than removing a bird’s nest. So, the smartest thing to do is to hire Las Vegas roof washing specialists to do it for you. That way, you won’t risk your health and you can be sure that the job will get done right.
And, secondly, you should ensure you won’t have to deal with birds nesting on your roof again. Fortunately, today, this is beyond easy. There are so many protective measures you can install on your home, from DIY bird deterrents to pro pigeon control under solar panels. Simply, there are amazing choices to protect every part of your home from pesky birds.
The conclusion – don’t do this by yourself
From everything said, it is easy to see how relocating a birds nest from your roof can be quite dangerous. From standing on a slanted area to encountering defensive beasties – everything can work against you. Therefore, we leave you with the final piece of advice. If there’s absolutely no other choice – do not try to DIY it. Today, it only takes a phone call to a pro bird removal company to solve the problem. And, to solve it quickly, effectively, and without risking your safety and that of your property.
