Birds seek out crevices, holes, and high places that protect their young from the elements. A few of the most common include:
Birds in the Attic
Some birds will find their way into an attic when a large enough crevice allows.
Common species include:
- Pigeons
- Barn swallows
- European Starlings
- House Finches
- House Sparrows
Exclusion is the most effective method of bird removal from attics. Bird exclusion flaps allow the bird to leave, but they cannot re-enter. From there, a Critter Control Wildlife Technician will seal all potential entrances, clean the area, and then sanitize.
Critter Control recommends against DIY solutions and traps within the house, where birds may suffer or become injured. This is especially important for federally protected bird species, where the law bans harassing most bird species.
Birds on the Roof and Gutters
Birds will roost (settle) or nest on roofing for any number of reasons. The most likely reason is that your roof is nearby a food or water source. These bird infestations can soil or damage your home's roof, costing you money. There are several techniques we employ to keep birds away from your house including distress calls, Mylar tape and balloons, removing nest materials and food/water sources. Similar tactics are used to remove pigeons from roofs and trees.
Birds in Soffits and Roof Returns
Soffits and house corners, places where the gutters meet and connect to downspouts, frequently attract birds as they are a source of freshwater. To prevent this, it’s important to maintain clean gutters and prevent clogs. Critter Control Wildlife Technicians can install gutter guards and/or screens to prevent both bird nesting and debris.
Birds in Vents and Exhaust Pipes
Birds occasionally nest or get stuck in vents. Common places birds enter include vents on the side of the house, kitchen and bathroom exhaust vents, or others. Vents are attractive locations for birds to build nests as they are off the ground, away from predators, and enclosed for protection from the elements. However, vents do come with their own set of dangers for young birds, which sometimes fall into the vent exhaust pipe, where they’re unable to escape.
Even adult birds with full flying capabilities fall into the same trap. Birds are initially attracted to the warmth of the vents, which is why they are commonly found in dryer vents and kitchen exhaust vents. This becomes a fire hazard when birds nest in these locations. Furthermore, nests in vents are dangerous because humidity and steam can spread disease, including histoplasmosis, which is found in bird droppings.
When any of these cases occur, it’s important to call professionals with the proper equipment and expertise to minimize the stress of the animal. After a bird is removed from the vent or exhaust, a guard can be installed to prevent further recurrence.
Birds in Chimneys
Some birds prefer to make their homes in hollow trees, and for these species, your chimney is an attractive place. One of the most prominent species is the swift family, which nest in the interiors of chimneys. While these nests aren’t a fire hazard, nests interrupt the airflow of smoke and carbon monoxide. Moreover, young birds may slip and fall out of chimneys into your home. Nests of baby birds inside chimneys will make audible rackets of chirping sounds as the hatchlings call to their mother. Finally, homeowners may be alerted to birds stuck in chimneys by the foul smells produced by excrement or, in worst-case scenarios, dead and decaying bodies.
Critter Control Wildlife Technicians can remove nests and baby birds if you suspect one is in your chimney. To prevent birds in the chimney, it’s important to install a chimney cap, especially before the fall and winter, when you may be making use of your fireplace.
Finding Dead Birds in The Yard
Birds die for a variety of reasons, including old age, flying accidents, and predator attacks. For the most part, dead birds are found in yards, but they can also be discovered indoors. Attics, chimneys, and even basements can all end up harboring a bird carcass. Dead birds get in houses through vents, gaps in roofs, and other small openings while alive. It's usually only through the odor of decomposition that residents become aware of the presence of the pests.
Safety Concerns
When the body of a dead bird is found, proper steps should be taken to dispose of the body quickly and safely to avoid contracting diseases or attracting further pests. Left alone, the body of a bird will naturally decompose with the help of insects like blowflies, ants, and cockroaches.
Disposing of the body is crucial to avoid attracting such pests to the home. Additionally, birds that died from a virus or bacterial infection may still be capable of transmitting their fatal illness, such as West Nile virus or salmonellosis, to nearby humans. Finally, as bird bodies break down, they release foul-smelling gasses and fluids capable of staining ceilings and walls.
How to Dispose of a Dead Bird
In order to limit exposure to dead birds, homeowners should take steps to keep live ones away from their yards. While it's nearly impossible to exclude birds from properties completely, a combination of limiting food sources and nesting sites can deter them. When faced with a dead bird in the house or yard, never approach or handle the carcass. Instead, contact the trained professionals at Critter Control to safely handle dead bird removal.
DIY Bird Prevention
There are several ways you prevent birds from choosing your home as their nesting or roosting spot. As birds often choose a house due to the presence of food or water, the most important step is to remove these sources. Maintain gutters, remove or block food and water sources.
Learn more about bird removal.
Get them out.
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Customer Reviews
It has been very effective at reducing the number of mice, lizard, and snake sightings. During one visit Edgar removed a rattlesnake he came across. We may see a snake maybe two to three times during the spring and summer months, but it has been far less than before.
Serivces:
Wildlife & Rodent Control in San Diego
Full service. Excellent job of extracting raccoon, cleaning all animal waste, sanitizing, and spraying anti-parasitic substance. They closed all potential ports of entry, though the work did not match the vinyl, and it looks kind of tacky. They added blown insulation, which added a lot to the cost. They provide a one year warranty against animal intrusion, with an option to extend the warranty at the end of each one- year period. They were willing to work with me one the price. I will probably extend my warranty, and will definitely use them it the future.
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Chattanooga
I was really impressed by these guys. Got a call within a few hours of making an inquiry. Had a rep out to inspect the situation by the end of the week, and when they laid out the timeline they kept if not exceeded listed times.
Rob, Travis, and Jim were all professional, polite, and courteous and after months of hearing squirrels in my ceiling they are gone and the repair to my flashing looks excellent. Can't recommend these guys enough.
Jeff was incredibly professional and helpful. I'll use them again and would recommend them to anyone.
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Detroit, MI
Critter Control did a great job of evaluating our house for sites of entry after we found bats and a squirrel in our attic. They completed their work promptly and professionally.
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Seattle, WA
We heard some noise from the corner of our house. Concerned that it could be inside we called for an inspection. Jessy arrived as scheduled and conducted a complete inspection of our home. Based on a recording we made he determined we had a tree frog on our roof. I was pleased that we didn’t have any rodent in our house. And his inspection could a few spots I can tighten up around my house. I am very happy with the outcome.
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New Hampshire
We have a vacation home in
Western Mass and haven’t been there much during the pandemic as we live and work in Atlanta, GA. On our most recent visit we noticed that we had some rodent intrusion as well as some un-welcomed wildlife who decided to make our vacation home their home.
We contacted Critter Control and Mr. Cahoon was quick to set up an appointment as we wouldn’t be in town very long. He came out and assessed our issues. He informed us of our options to both eradicate and control future intrusions. Keeping in mind that wildlife is wildlife! He quickly got to work eradicating the rodents and wildlife from our home and addressing the intrusion issues. We feel much better leaving our vacation home for periods at a time knowing that Mr. Cahoon and Critter Control did their job and did it right! Thanks again!
We bought an old cabin last spring , it was used for years as a summer vacation cabin, therefore maintenance wasn’t a priority. After our project to remodel started, we found evidence of
mice droppings.
We immediately called Critter Control and they came and gave us a reasonable estimate to remove all remnants and insulation. They sanitized and replaced with new insulation and sealing up points of entry .
Seeing their professional work made us feel confident and secure that the problem was solved ! Everyone we worked with continued to show professional and respectful work. Highly recommend this company! We continue to use critter control monthly to be sure we are mice and bug free!
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