Orygun Duck Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Like the Hitchcock film, my house seems unusually popular this year with the local sparrow community. I’ve tried a number of things (dangling CDs, plastic owls, owl cry recordings, etc) to try to discourage them from building their nests in the eaves above our veranda, but nothing seems to deter them. Perhaps my mistake was to have the eaves cleaned a couple weeks back (apparently the avian equivalent of urban renewal). Anyhow, does anyone have any ideas on how I might rid myself of these pests. (Any one interested in opening a yakitori shop)? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapalence Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Have you considered that perhaps they view YOU as the pest, whereas they are just trying to go about life according to their instincts? Enjoy what nature in a near perfect climate provides as long as it doesn't try to kill you or cause you great bodily harm. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyjillin Posted February 10, 2020 Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 Sparrow pie is very tasty but you probably have swallows not sparrows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orygun Duck Posted February 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2020 8 minutes ago, happyjillin said: Sparrow pie is very tasty but you probably have swallows not sparrows. Nope. Sparrows. Thus the yakitori reference. The original recipe for “burned bird” called for sparrow. Tiny bones and all. I must thank the earlier poster, who solved not only my bird problem, but my ant and cockroach problems as well. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bezerk Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 I have a bird issue too, sparrows, swallows and kiskadees or who knows, all I know is they are not welcome pooping everywhere and let me tell you it takes the paint right off metal surfaces and is a true eyesore, along with they see themselves in my windows at ungodly 7am hours and bang on my windows. I too have done all the tactics the OP mentioned. It is causing me lack of sleep, time wasted continually cleaning and seriously birds are carriers of everything. They need to go one way or the other, just how. ??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artsnob Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Get a cat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Excuse me? Birds are part of the natural cycle and an essential part of the environment. IF you don't want them around, you should not be in a semi-rural setting. Yes, they are also in big cities, but not in the numbers they are out here in the "country". And yes, we have all kinds of sparrows around right now, to be followed by the swallows who have maintained several nests attached to our house over several years. We welcome them and consider the clean-up as little problem over the good they do......including eating LOTS of bugs, plus providing endless hours of entertainment for my several totally indoor cats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More Liana Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Swallows normally return to Ajijic on or about March 19, St. Joseph's Day. They're not at Lakeside year 'round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattoleriver Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 That is the same day that legend claims the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexLuis Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 A swallow problem: (Perhaps many of the swallow fans here might have advice) Each year a swallow pair comes to build their nest, under our covered deck. Each year the babies are born and they end up dead on the floor. The mother goes nuts as this is taking place. This is several years in a row already, and it is rather depressing to see them die and go through that stress. I don't mind cleaning up from bird poop mess, but gosh this is so very sad. Any advice???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Maybe try stuffing scrunched up chicken wire in openings. Hire someone who is good with ladders. I have spent many happy hours watching the swallows and bats at sunset. Nesting birds are only a hazard if they nest above human entrance ways. They are usually infested with mites, which may fall on humans or pets. I recently posted plans for home made bird/pest scaring cannons. 130 decibels. Not popular with neighbors though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafterbr Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Your problems started when you cleaned the eaves and provided a space for the sparrows to nest. I don't know the configuration of your eaves but they need to be filled/covered. Talk to your gardener or handyman and come up with a material that looks good. I used screen wire and cut it a little larger than my opening for a tight fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLIN Posted February 11, 2020 Report Share Posted February 11, 2020 Someone has targetted your house as an AirBNB. Air dwelling birds and burrowers. And a local bird has reminded me that humans produce huge numbers of mites, which feed on dead skin cells. And I forgot to remind you not to remove bird nest materials with your bare hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More Liana Posted February 12, 2020 Report Share Posted February 12, 2020 9 hours ago, mattoleriver said: That is the same day that legend claims the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, California. So 'tis. Some go there, some come here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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