Guttering & birds

Adly812

How do you prevent birds nesting in your gutters? I have them causing havoc on my roof at times, when swallows build nests in my gutters. Bringing berries which are a mess to clean on my patio, and it's not ideal having them build blockages in my gutters..l any safe friendly way to deter them and steer them away?

societys_child

Something like this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-gutter-guards-100mm-black-10-pack/12515

*Others are available - type "gutter guards" into your preferred search engine.

Davesnave

Swallows don't build nests in gutters, nor do any other birds I know of. It gets far too wet in there for nests. Swallows also don't eat berries and seeds; they only eat insects, like flies. It's most likely your gutters are being blocked by falling leaves.

Swifts might nest in the eaves of a house, under the tiles, especially if sarking felt there is worn or non-existent. Protecting the gutter won't have much effect on them, which is probably a good thing, as they are declining.

Adly812

They are birds without a doubt, I can see them.. If it's not Annis my gutter its on the edge in the roofing.l anyhow they are on my room building something.. As they are making a mess dropping bits below them onto my patio. Also I hear them scratching and nesting. Tweeting and see them ... It's birds. If not in near my gutter lol

newbutold

As suggested above you need gutter guards or eaves comb fitting.


https://www.screwfix.com/p/eaves-comb-filler-1000mm-20-pack/40157?tc=KA6&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpI_h6PPI1gIVCLvtCh125Qp0EAQYBCABEgJ1__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CPyz_fHzyNYCFcIg0wodiXEANA

I had eaves comb fitted in my previous home and it worked for me.

andrewf75

Jealous. Really want swallows nesting under my eaves!

Davesnave

andrewf75 wrote: »

Jealous. Really want swallows nesting under my eaves!

It was always swifts where I used to live. Swallows' nests are top entry and suited more to ledges and beams, or perhaps under the soffit board.

Anyway, swallows, swifts and martins are all gone now, so if the OP is still hearing them, it's none of the above making the noise.

andrewf75

Davesnave wrote: »

It was always swifts where I used to live. Swallows' nests are top entry and suited more to ledges and beams, or perhaps under the soffit board.

Anyway, swallows, swifts and martins are all gone now, so if the OP is still hearing them, it's none of the above making the noise.

I'd settle for any to be honest! Unfortunately my eaves are all modern soffits which prevent any birds getting in. I've put a couple of boxes up but no joy yet.

Yes good point re. the OPs birds, I imagine they are sparrows or starlings

Adly812

Sorry everyone. I just know they are birds. Took a wild guess to swallows. But happy to be corrected. I have no idea what they are but they are building in my roof or gutters and I will get gutter guards. I do love birds but unfortunately not where they are lol

Smodlet

We had starlings nesting under our eaves the last two Springs... Noisy little !!!!!!s, they are but nowhere near as bad as the squirrel kicking the bedroom window the other week. Scared the daylights out of me, I thought someone was breaking in!

Grenage

Smb3088 wrote: »

Sorry everyone. I just know they are birds. Took a wild guess to swallows. But happy to be corrected. I have no idea what they are but they are building in my roof or gutters and I will get gutter guards. I do love birds but unfortunately not where they are lol

You'll have to wait until they've moved on; you can't interfere with nesting wild birds.