| Swallows are sleek, slender birds typically found in | | | | netting around any perimeter. |
| North America. They are very territorial, returning to | | | | Another effective tool is Bird Slope. This is a humane |
| the same nesting site in the spring and summer. Once | | | | way to block small and large birds from landing or |
| confined to cliffs, swallows have become a growing | | | | nesting on open ledges. These slippery PVC panels |
| nuisance in suburban areas. Instead of attaching their | | | | are ideal for use on any ledge that meets at a 90 |
| nests to cliffs, many prefer man-made sites like the | | | | degree angle. They can also be used on eaves. As an |
| wood beams and stucco of modern houses. They | | | | anti-perching, anti-roosting deterrent, bird slopes have |
| often build their characteristic mud nests in the outer | | | | proven to be effective against all types of birds, |
| walls and eaves of homes. (One home was | | | | including swallows. Each bird slope section is 2 feet |
| "decorated" with at least 32 swallow abodes | | | | long, and you get 4 feet per box. The specially |
| constructed of hardened mud.) Left on your home | | | | fabricated panels are made of U.V. protected PVC to |
| long enough, swallow nests will leave an unsightly | | | | make them sun and weather resistant. |
| stain. | | | | Installation is a snap, since there are a variety of bird |
| A colony of birds will also leave a trail of droppings | | | | slope accessories available to accommodate different |
| down the sides of your home and the ground below. | | | | areas. For example, there's a "snap on" extender, so |
| Property owners spend time and money cleaning up | | | | you can easily adapt it to wider ledges. And special |
| the mess and concern over the slip-and-fall hazards | | | | "end caps" are also available to keep swallows from |
| from swallow droppings. The bacteria, fungal agents | | | | getting behind the slope. The product comes in two |
| and parasites found in swallow droppings and nests | | | | colors (stone and grey) to match your home's |
| can carry hosts with serious diseases, including | | | | décor. |
| histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, | | | | There are also nearly invisible physical deterrents such |
| toxoplasmosis and more. | | | | as the No Nasty Nest which feature a unique design |
| Worse yet, swallow mud nests are often infested | | | | for deterring swallows from nesting on your home. |
| with insects. The insects tend to move into your | | | | No Nasty Nest is easy to install and will deter |
| home to find new hosts. Even when swallows leave, | | | | swallows by creating a barrier of plastic twine that is |
| their vacant nests simply attract new birds. | | | | uncomfortable for the birds to fly through. By placing |
| Homeowners should be rightly concerned about | | | | it under your eaves, it makes your house an |
| swallows nesting on their homes, but there are | | | | undesirable location for swallows to build their nest. |
| limitations to what one can do. You see, swallows | | | | Also effective in deterring swallows are Sonic Bird |
| and their nests are fully protected under the | | | | Deterrents. These devices broadcast distress and |
| Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which makes it | | | | predator calls every few minutes to scare swallows |
| illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take any migratory | | | | from open spaces like backyards, gardens, |
| bird. It is also illegal to intentionally damage or destroy | | | | courtyards, patios, and pool areas. Some devices |
| the nest, eggs, or young of a swallow while it is | | | | come with a built-in speaker that will cover up to an |
| being built or in use. The Act allows fines or prison | | | | acre of land. The best sonic devices are rugged and |
| sentences for every bird, egg or nest destroyed. | | | | weatherproof and can be programmed to turn on |
| Fortunately, there are some swallow deterrents one | | | | off at night. |
| can use that are both effective and humane. | | | | Working with ornithologists at a major university, the |
| An effective type of bird netting one can rely on to | | | | Bird Chase Super Sonic deterrent was developed to |
| safely exclude swallows is Ultra Net. This low-profile | | | | offer the latest technology in pest bird deterrence. |
| netting is an ideal way to prevent birds from getting | | | | Unlike other bird sonic devices that play high-pitched |
| under eaves, barns, balconies, garages, sheds and | | | | ultrasonic noises that can bother pets and animals, |
| other areas around your home. The netting is a | | | | this device cycles through a series of recorded bird |
| lightweight plastic mesh made of durable, U.V. | | | | calls and is safe to use around pets. |
| protected polypropylene. It comes in three different | | | | Finally, there are live bird traps you can use. Often |
| mesh sizes: 3/4", 1/2", and 1/4" and a variety of cuts | | | | referred to as bird motels, live traps are an effective |
| to match the area being treated. | | | | way to humanely capture swallows for later release |
| Ultra Netting is easy to work with and can be readily | | | | or relocation. The better traps are made of a sturdy |
| secured with twine, zip ties, or hog rings. For | | | | galvanized wire, and built to withstand both outdoor |
| vegetable gardens, wrap individual plants or suspend | | | | and indoor use. Bird feed is placed inside the trap to |
| netting around the entire garden area for protection. | | | | lure pest birds in. The traps usually feature funnel |
| Ultra netting is meant for temporary use and hangs | | | | doors that allow a bird to walk in, but not out of. An |
| easily using the clips provided by the manufacturer. | | | | easy access door lets you remove the captured bird |
| You can also just use a staple gun to secure the | | | | for release. |