Barn Swallow Woes

tdwarburton · #1 05-29-2018, 06:49 PM

Will Chicken wire keep these guys from nesting under my eaves? The house was vacant for years so there is a lot of them and they are extremely persistent. The mess they leave is terrible and we had a bug infestation due to them and their nests this spring

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Dewey Cox · #2 05-29-2018, 07:01 PM

Chicken wire might just make their nest stronger. Like rebar in concrete.

HalfBreed · #3 05-29-2018, 07:02 PM

I'm no bird expert, but I might try a grid pattern at least half the size of the target, maybe smaller. I'm a believer that if it's head can't fit, the body can't follow.

CritterCommander · #4 05-29-2018, 08:35 PM

Garden hose will get rid of them, they won`t come back after a couple good clean ups.

danvan · #5 05-29-2018, 08:43 PM

only one way to get rid of them no matter what you do they will keep coming back as long as they are alive

gatesniffer · #6 05-29-2018, 09:02 PM

Clean off nest area and follow up with a good spraying of soapy water. Mud cannot stick

alacringa · #7 05-29-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danvan

only one way to get rid of them no matter what you do they will keep coming back as long as they are alive

I hope you're not suggesting killing a protected species.

OP: I wonder if something finer (like 1/2" mesh) might work better? Just a thought. Barn Swallows are great to have around...but they do make a mess around the nest.

nimrod · #8 05-29-2018, 10:20 PM

I built 14 bird houses now have 8 filled with barn swallows, easy for them to make a nest in them, then are spaced around 8 feet apart

expedition · #9 05-30-2018, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimrod

I built 14 bird houses now have 8 filled with barn swallows, easy for them to make a nest in them, then are spaced around 8 feet apart

Barn swallows in a bird house. Strange . Me thinks you are referring to tree swallows! Tree swallows have a white chest barn swallows are reddish

Norwest Alta · #10 05-30-2018, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expedition

Barn swallows in a bird house. Strange . Me thinks you are referring to tree swallows! Tree swallows have a white chest barn swallows are reddish

Got both at my house. Think they live in bird house but I'll have a better look.

josey · #11 05-30-2018, 06:42 AM

Send them over to our place. I gladly have them nest here. They eat a ton of mosquitos. Welcome anytime

HoytCRX32 · #12 05-30-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josey

Send them over to our place. I gladly have them nest here. They eat a ton of mosquitos. Welcome anytime

This^^^^
I'll take as many swallows as I can. Tree, barn, cliff, cave.

Puma · #13 05-30-2018, 08:26 AM

They can make a mess, but they do eat a ton of bugs.

Old proverbs say they are good luck to have around, and bad luck to kill.

“True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.”
― William Shakespeare

josey · #14 05-30-2018, 08:28 AM

I rather clean than treat bug bites. Thanks for the Shakespeare quote!

tdwarburton · #15 05-30-2018, 09:33 AM

My biggest complaint would be the "swallow bug" that comes with them. They are similar to a bed bug and they came in through the eaves into the attic of this old house. There were literally thousands! It was horrible, I am surprised I am still married after that fiasco

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Trochu · #16 05-30-2018, 09:53 AM

Do you live in a temperate zone?

josey · #17 05-30-2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdwarburton

My biggest complaint would be the "swallow bug" that comes with them. They are similar to a bed bug and they came in through the eaves into the attic of this old house. There were literally thousands! It was horrible, I am surprised I am still married after that fiasco

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Ewww. Ok, no. lol

NS Beagler · #18 05-30-2018, 10:36 PM

I used the 6 foot plastic deer fence from PVmart. Folded it in half and hung it on the eave 6 inches out from the wall. Been a week now and no nesting. I would rather have flies than deal with the mess they make of a house. They love to build on stucco and it is very tough to wash them off.

thumper · #19 05-30-2018, 11:16 PM

Barn swallow numbers have declined dramatically over the past few years. If at all possible, give them a protected area to nest.

IR_mike · #20 05-30-2018, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumper

Barn swallow numbers have declined dramatically over the past few years. If at all possible, give them a protected area to nest.

Odd thing is I am not seeing ANY kestrels this year anywhere.

danvan · #21 05-31-2018, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alacringa

I hope you're not suggesting killing a protected species.

OP: I wonder if something finer (like 1/2" mesh) might work better? Just a thought. Barn Swallows are great to have around...but they do make a mess around the nest.

Nope would not do that they live on my shop and my barn so no problem when they start on the house who knows they make a hell of a mess and will not leave

Moosetalker · #22 06-01-2018, 03:08 PM

They re use there nests so a little Rotenone dust will kill the mites after nesting is over

Tigrr · #23 06-03-2018, 11:16 PM

Staple a dark survey tape near where they are trying to build a nest. It annoys them while swaying in the wind. 1 every 3 feet should do it. 12 to 15 inches long hanging down from the soffit or under it. Strips of garbage bag works too. Maybe they think its a snake.
Me I want all of them to build houses on buildings around my place.
Can't buy Rotenone any more. But diatomaceous earth works too.