Spring is a beautiful time of year, but if you’re like me, you may find yourself dealing with unwanted bird nests on your porch. While birds are fascinating creatures, their nests can create a mess, lead to noise disturbances, and even cause damage to your home by the bird poop they leave behind. If you’re looking for humane and effective ways to prevent birds from nesting on your porch, here are some tried-and-true strategies that have worked for me.
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How to Keep Birds from Nesting on Your Porch This Spring
1. Remove Existing Nests
Before the nesting season begins, inspect your porch for any signs of previous nests. Birds tend to return to familiar spots, so removing old nests will make your porch less inviting. Be sure to check local wildlife regulations, as some bird species are protected, and it may be illegal to remove their nests once eggs are present.
Be careful when removing the nests as you may encounter wasps nests as well like I did!
2. Eliminate Flat Surfaces
Eliminating flat surfaces is what I did and is the focus solution of this blog post. Birds prefer flat, stable areas to build their nests. If your porch has ledges, beams, or other flat surfaces, consider adding sloped covers or barriers to make these areas less attractive.
In theory: Angled boards, plastic spikes, or bird deterrent strips can help prevent birds from settling in. However, these “solutions” did not work for us. Our birds built onto angled ledges and even spikes. So, that is why we have chosen to eliminate surfaces altogether by closing them in.
3. Use Bird Deterrents
There are several visual and auditory deterrents that can discourage birds from nesting. Some popular options include:
I personally bought the plastic spikes as seen above that adhere to the surface. They did NOT work for us. Instead, the birds built their nests right on top of the spikes. That is why I am covering all existing areas where they have built and am removing all flat surfaces, so they have no option to build their nests.
- Reflective Objects: Hang reflective tape, old CDs, or aluminum foil strips to create movement and light flashes that birds dislike.
- Wind Chimes or Noise Makers: Sounds from chimes, bells, or even recorded predator calls can keep birds away.
- Decoy Predators: Fake owls, hawks, or rubber snakes can serve as a deterrent, though birds may grow accustomed to them over time.
4. Cover Open Spaces
If birds frequently nest in rafters, eaves, or other open spaces on your porch, consider using netting, mesh, or hardware cloth to block access. Ensure that the material is securely fastened and durable enough to withstand the elements.
This is my plan. I first took down the old nests. Then, I measured so I can completely enclose the flat surface and prevent any way for the birds to build there again.
The plan is to create a boxed in area that extends all the way to the ceiling, thus eliminating any flat surfaces where birds usually build nest. To do this, use a ladder and some measuring tape to measure the space you need to close in.
I measured the space and determined I would need 3 different enclosures that are the same size to go above each of my porch columns. I then took my measurements to the home improvement store and had them cut me some boards based on my measurements. One I got them home, I began painting them white to match my porch.
In total, I spent less than $15 for all of the wood needed for this project. I am not including the paint, as I am using some white paint I already had in my garage.
I let my paint dry overnight as I painted on a few coats. The next day, I screwed my boards together to create my enclosure as seen below.
So this is what they look like once I mount the enclosures. As you can see, the flat surfaces are now completely eliminated. So, the birds have nowhere flat to build a nest.
5. Keep the Porch Clean
Birds are attracted to food sources, so keeping your porch clean can help deter them. Remove any crumbs, pet food, or standing water that might attract birds looking for a nesting site.
6. Apply Safe Repellents
There are several bird-safe repellent sprays available that create an unpleasant but harmless environment for birds. Citrus-based sprays or essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and garlic can discourage birds from nesting in certain areas.
7. Be Persistent
Preventing birds from nesting on your porch requires consistency. Birds may attempt to return to their favorite spots, so it’s important to stay vigilant and reinforce deterrents throughout the season.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy a bird-free porch while ensuring that the birds find a more suitable place to nest. Have you dealt with nesting birds on your porch? Share your experiences and solutions in the comments below!
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