How to Keep Birds Out of Gutters

Birds who make nests in your gutters can also cause clogs and other maintenance issues that may compromise your roof’s structural integrity. Let’s explore some issues bird nests can cause and humane ways to prevent nesting in your gutters.

Problems Caused by Birds Nesting in Gutters

Gutters are sheltered, elevated locations that offer protection from predators and the elements. The narrow and enclosed spaces mimic the natural crevices and cavities where various bird species make their nests in the wild. While birds can live peacefully in your gutters, their nests can be problematic for several reasons.

Roof Damage

When birds make a home in your gutters, they’ll likely spend most of their time roaming around on the roof. As they do, they will leave droppings that can gradually corrode roof materials. Because bird droppings are acidic, the buildup will gradually wear down shingles and cause them to curl. Droppings can destroy most roofing materials, including metal.

Birds tend to nest in rain gutters, drains and roof corners. The nests can interrupt water drainage, creating backups that cause water to flow against your home, leading to damage and eventual rot.

Gutter Blockages and Leaks

Birds use twigs, leaves and other found objects to build their nests. These materials block water, leading to overflow during rainstorms. The weight of the built-up water can cause the structure to sag and break, eventually damaging your roof, fascia, siding and even foundation, which can be expensive to repair.

Blocked drains and clogged gutters are among the leading causes of water damage. Compromised or nonfunctional gutters may require professional intervention to fix.

Pest Infestations

Bird nests in gutters can attract insects looking for shelter or food sources. Standing water in gutters is also a welcoming environment for unwanted visitors like mosquitos. If these pests find their way into your home, they can pose health and hygiene concerns for you and your family. Pest infestations are also a leading cause of property damage that will ultimately require additional maintenance.

Humane Ways to Prevent Birds Nesting in Your Gutters

Though bird nests can lead to costly property damage, you must avoid harming birds when removing them from your roof. Federal law protects over 800 migratory species. Even if the birds nesting in your gutters are not on the protected species list, it is still inhumane to trap, capture or kill them.

Contact a wildlife removal service that can gently remove the birds and their eggs and release them back into the wild in a safe location. If the nest is active, the wildlife removal service will need to obtain a permit to remove it and may only receive permission if the birds cause human health or safety concerns.

After removing birds from your property, you can take measures to prevent them from nesting in your gutters again.

Gutter Guards and Netting

Gutter guards effectively thwart birds from nesting in gutters. These are a wise choice for residential homes, as they form a filter that allows water to flow through while keeping debris like leaves and twigs out.

There are several different gutter guards on the market, ranging from mesh screens and net-like covers to leaf filters and gutter brushes. Beyond preventing clogs, gutter guards can also inhibit rust and corrosion, improve water flow and prolong the life span of the entire gutter system.

Spikes

Bird spikes, also known as anti-roosting strips, are available in various materials, from stainless steel to plastic panels. The spikes protrude upward, preventing birds from entering your gutters and building nests. Though these spikes cannot harm birds, they make the area uncomfortable to land on.

Bird spikes are a suitable installation for commercial buildings, while residential homes should opt for gutter guards instead. Commercial building owners and residential homeowners can also install netting over the gutters to prevent avian access while still allowing light and air circulation.

Visual Deterrents

Another approach to repelling birds from your gutters is to use visual deterrents like decoy owls, plastic snakes and reflective or holographic devices. These create the illusion of danger, effectively scaring birds off before they can find a nesting spot. You can also use visual deterrents to prevent birds from flying into windows and harming themselves.

Audio Deterrents

Devices that make noises such as distress calls or predator sounds can discourage birds from nesting on your property. You could also look for equipment that emits high-frequency sound waves — these bother birds but are inaudible to humans.

Clean Gutters Regularly

Moist, decaying leaves and other debris can create a warm, ideal environment for birds to build nests. Regularly clean your gutters to remove this accumulated grime, avoiding damaging clogs and blockages.

While it is a best practice to clean your gutters twice a year, you may want to do so more often if nesting birds are a concern. Clearing out your gutters as the seasons change and after storms can prevent clogs and ensure the system works efficiently all year round.

Contact AmeriPro Roofing for Quality Residential Gutter Services

AmeriPro Roofing is a certified GAF Master Elite Certified company. We specialize in roofing systems and have provided quality residential gutter services for over two decades. Our reliable services can prevent birds from nesting in your home’s water drainage system. From quality aluminum gutter systems and properly pitched downspouts to efficient gutter guards, AmeriPro can safeguard your home from water damage caused by gutter issues.

We offer complimentary inspections to assess the condition of your roof and gutter system. Our expert contractors can identify the cause of gutter blockages and other drainage issues and recommend the appropriate repairs and installations to prevent these problems from reoccurring.

Contact us online today to schedule a checkup and trust us to restore your roofing system.