The last thing anyone wants in their home is a pest infestation. Pest infestations can range from anything such as roaches and rats.
However, there’s one type of infestation that happens more often and with more damage than you might think. Birds can often make themselves comfortable in your home. Specifically, they build nests up in your attic. If you have a bird nest in your attic, you need to do everything you can to get rid of them.
Know the Signs
Although birds are easy to distinguish, you may not even know you have them at first. There are plenty of signs that point to you having birds in your attic. One of the most common and noticeable signs is hearing constant chirping. You might at first think that the chirping is coming from outdoors or perhaps the roof, but if you hear chirping for an extended period of time, you should check your attic.
Speaking of noise, another sign includes hearing them flap their wings as they move about. Birds also like to make scratching noises as they walk.
You may also start to find bird droppings in the attic, which can be a health risk. While birds might not seem as bad as bugs or rodents, they can pose an extreme risk to your health. Because they’re wild animals, they carry diseases and parasites such as fleas, lice, and ticks.
Getting Rid of the Birds
If you’ve noticed the signs of a bird infestation, it’s time to take action. There are various methods you can do to get rid of the birds. However, one thing you must keep in mind is that there are laws that prohibit you from killing them. Instead, use traps that are meant to contain, not kill. Make sure you have any necessary state or federal permits before you try to trap them as most birds are protected by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Use birdseed as a way to lure them in. As an alternative, make sure to open all the windows and scare the birds out. Once they’re out, shut the windows and clean up the mess they made. If trying to get rid of the birds proves to be too much to handle, or they keep coming back, consult with local pest control services about how to handle birds specific to your area.
Cleaning the Mess
Birds usually leave a mess behind, and not taking care of it immediately can lead to negative consequences and potential health problems. You’ll need to perform a deep cleaning to get rid of the bacteria.
Use disinfectant to wipe down the surface they were situated on and pick up all the droppings and nesting materials. Hiring a professional cleaning service is also a viable option.
Pests are a dime a dozen, but birds can cause all sorts of problems inside your home. Aside from being unwanted guests, your health may be at risk as well. They can even cause structural damage to your home. Lure or scare the invading birds out of your home, and be sure to clean up any mess they leave behind.