I have been unsuccessfully fighting a swallow infestation of my front patio for about two and a half years. They build nests and dive bomb anyone trying to get to my front door. I tried to be proactive this year and before their "season" I ordered an owl statue to hopefully scare them away. I put it up high on top of a wood pillar where they usually try to build. So they tried to build on the other end of the patio. I knocked that one down. THEN THEY TRIED TO BUILD ON THE BACK OF THE OWL. I knocked it down yesterday and spent some time screaming at the sky and waving my broom around at the dive bombing birds like a crazy person. Really, you should see the Ring footage. Anywho, y'all have any suggestions? I have looked at other deterrents like the spinning reflective surfaces, etc., but would love some real life feedback on what was successful for you if there is such a thing. THANKS!
OT: Chasing off swallows
- Thread starter MaroonBelle
- Start date
Sir, African swallows are non-migratory and the European ones didn't bring any coconuts with them because of weight ratios, ya know.
Spread some used cat litter around. They will think a predator is about, and won't come near. The cat litter holds the smell and slowly releases it for up to a couple years.
For Barn Swallows - plastic spikes on underside ledges of wooden porches. Then added rubber snakes in the spikes. Chicken wire on top of columns. Then some sort of stuff that smells like hell that is a deterrent. Then sticky caulk type solution for other surfaces. The fake owl didn't work, they build a nest on the thing. I can't believe all the **** Ive tried until I typed it out. Those things are terrible, but are protected for some reason. So, I may or may not have a BB gun as well.
It sounds like I am making this up, but I taped a piece of paper in the 2 corners of my front porch where they would frequently build nests. I wrote the word Boo! on the paper to make myself feel better about it. The paper has been up so long that the Boo! has faded off. I would guess it has been up for about 3 or 4 years. No more swallows at my house, since then. I don't know if they just found a more inviting place of if the paper made a difference. I prefer to think that the paper was the reason. I hope this helps at least one person. It is cheap and quick to try.
Do you have a dog?
if you do, get some of its hair and put in the nest.
if you have a cat, cut its throat and pour the blood in the nest. Same result.
if you do, get some of its hair and put in the nest.
if you have a cat, cut its throat and pour the blood in the nest. Same result.
I finally resorted to a pellet gun. I only got one but evidently that was enough to end the problem.
Do not under any circumstances crack the door open after dark and shoot them with a BB gun you only pump up about twice so the bb won’t damage anything else.
Those things return to the same nest site every year. So if you were to wipe that group out you may not have any return to your porch for several years. Your neighbors will still have theirs and you will get super jealous
Also, they are protected because of being migratory I think. So DO NOT do that.
Those things return to the same nest site every year. So if you were to wipe that group out you may not have any return to your porch for several years. Your neighbors will still have theirs and you will get super jealous
Also, they are protected because of being migratory I think. So DO NOT do that.
I have a mud swallow nest with half a rubber snake exposed. Worked for about a month then they determined it wasn't a problem.
Btw - I now have 4 nests under my carport. I've come to love them. The skeeters are no longer a problem and the little bit of mess they make is easy enough to clean up once they head out. Some raise 2 batches each year and having them swarm the skeeters in late summer is awesome.