With knowledge of California’s diverse swallow species and respect for their protected status, we can help preserve their place in our ecosystem and continue to enjoy their beauty and vital ecological contributions. If you suspect having a swallow nest on your property, you can call us at 909-335-1486.

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In 1903, Author W.L. Dawson wrote in his book, The Birds of Ohio , “Without question the most deplorable event in the history of American ornithology was the introduction of the English Sparrow.” The English sparrow is most commonly known as the house sparrow today, and this non-native bird continues to cause problems wherever it chooses to live.

The small birds seem innocent and harmless at first, but their behavior towards other birds and their ability to multiply quickly soon shows how problematic the creatures can become. House sparrows are social among others of their kind but aggressive towards all other birds. Home and property damage can occur if the sparrows are not kept under control.

Recognize the Bird

House sparrows are attractive full-bodied birds that grow less than six inches long. Females and young sparrows have gray breasts and black and beige colored striping on their back and wings. Male plumage is much more vibrant than the feathers on the female. The male has defined color stripes on its back and a strip of black under the beak that blends to the chest.

Understand the Concern

Homeowners should not allow the house sparrow’s diminutive size and pretty plumage to fool them. The birds have little fear of humans and will live wherever they can make a nest and find food. The birds will attack native birds and destroy their nests to claim territory for themselves. The behavior can lead to declines in the population of beneficial native birds.

House sparrows breed quickly and can produce many young. The birds often begin breeding again as soon as they have hatchlings. Most females lay around five eggs at a time, and the babies can leave the nest in as little as four weeks after the eggs are laid.

House sparrows can cause crop damage because they eat any stage of fruits and vegetables. The birds enjoy seeds and seedlings as well as flowering plants and buds. Mature fruit and vegetables are also a popular food choice. House sparrows will eat livestock grain from the bins where the animals eat as well as where the grains are stored.

Expect Some Damage

Homeowners without gardens or livestock may feel they have no reason to dislike the nuisance birds, but that is not true. The sparrows will happily remove food waste from garbage cans or picnic tables and leave their droppings everywhere. House sparrows also take over birdfeeders and chase away all other types of birds.

The nests of the house sparrow can be anywhere, and they often build on roof nooks, along windowsills, and on the surfaces of AC units. The communal birds place their nests near each other, so the debris can become surprisingly abundant where they have chosen to nest.

Nests built inside a vent on a home or business can block the vent so it does not work properly. A blocked vent can become a hazard for the people inside the building if it means that fumes cannot exit. The nests also make the vented equipment fail and are a fire hazard.

Noise is another factor. Once a population of house sparrows swells, the sounds the birds make as a flock can become distracting. The song of the birds is pleasant, but the volume can awaken people early or become an annoyance.

Nest removal and deterrents often help to lower house sparrow populations, but homeowners may struggle to keep up with a large population that has already established itself on their property. At Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we can help with the removal and offer advice to help you keep the pests away. Contact us for more information.

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When most people think of pests, they think of rodents or insects. However, birds can also be pests, especially if they enter your home through the attic or another opening. A bird infestation can be problematic and wreak havoc on your mind, home, and health.

From pigeons and sparrows to starlings and even owls, the various birds that could become unwanted house guests can be overwhelming. Thankfully, help is available. This guide will help you understand the potential problems of having birds in your attic/home, so you will realize the imperative nature of professional bird removal.

Emotional Nuisance

When in nature, birds can be beautiful. Unfortunately, when they enter your home, birds can be a nuisance. Most homeowners are surprised by how annoying, unappealing, and fearful birds (and other unwanted guests) can be when they enter your home.

If one or more birds enter your attic, they will most likely create a good amount of noise. You may hear fluttering and scurrying in your attic and roof as they move in, out, and through this space. This noise can be a nuisance, especially if it occurs at night while you and your family are trying to sleep.

In addition to the noise, some individuals have a fear of birds. Known as ornithophobia, the fear of birds can induce feelings of anxiety. If you start to panic, sweat, shake, cry, or freeze, you may have a phobia of birds that affects your daily life and emotional well-being.

Home Damage

Another potential problem you may face if birds enter your attic is actual damage to your home. Surprisingly, birds can damage your home in a few different ways.

Most birds will enter through the roof and into your attic to nest. To create safe and comfortable nests, birds will need a variety of materials, such as dirt, pine straw, and leaves, which they will bring into your home.

In most cases, these unwanted guests will also use elements of your home to complete the nests. They may pull out insulation and even some electrical wiring to continue building their nests.

The loss of insulation can affect your home’s energy efficiency, reducing your ability to maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home. If the birds pull on electrical wiring, they risk starting a house fire.

Birds do not produce urine, but they will leave behind droppings. These droppings contain uric acid, which is not harmful in small quantities.

However, as the droppings build up and remain in your attic and on your roofline, the uric acid can actually be corrosive, causing damage to your home over time.

Health Hazard

Birds and the droppings they leave behind may carry over 60 different diseases, so if you have birds in your attic or home, they can be a health hazard to you and your family.

Certain diseases are more common with certain birds. For example, salmonellosis is a common disease that many pigeons, sparrows, and starlings carry. Salmonellosis can be spread through contact or through the air, causing food-poisoning symptoms.

Pigeons and starlings are also known to carry cryptococcosis, which is caused by a yeast that builds up in the bird’s intestinal tract. This disease can be transmitted through handling and breathing in the infected yeast in bird droppings.

Histoplasmosis is another disease that you may develop if you make contact or inhale droppings left behind by an infected bird.

Minor or mild forms of the disease may not show symptoms. However, severe histoplasmosis can be life-threatening, so if you experience a fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, a dry cough, and chest discomfort, consult a physician immediately.

Birds can be problematic for your mind, home, and health. For assistance preventing or removing birds from your attic and home, contact Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc .

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The birds are chirping and fluttering around. You’re more than happy to hear and see the birds in your backyard. After all, that’s why you hung the feeders near your home. You knew that the seed would attract a few feathered friends to watch from your windows or from your deck. But what you hadn’t anticipated on was just how close the birds would get.

Not only are the birds flying around your yard, but it seems like they’ve also found their way inside and become pests instead of a perk. Even though you’re more than happy to have a few feathered friends hanging out in your trees, birds cause problems if they make their way indoors.

If you think you might have a bird infestation, take a look at what you need to know about the birds invading your space.

Spaces Birds Favor

So where do birds like to live indoors? A bird might want to live anywhere in your indoor home area, but there are a few spaces that they seem to favor. Two of these are attics and chimneys. The birds need to get in somehow, and your open chimney or open attic window or vent system offer easy entry points.

Your chimney is tall, slim and kind of looks like a tree to a bird. Birds sometimes fly in an uncapped chimney, build their nests along the walls, and make their homes there.

Likewise, birds might fly in through an opened attic window or an open vent and find a cozy little spot, possibility in the rafters, to build their home.

Signs of Infestation

You probably don’t look into your chimney or attic often. How do you know if you have a bird infestation if you can’t see them in your indoor spaces? One of the first signs that you have birds are the sounds of chirping from inside your home.

It’s not always easy to distinguish indoor and outdoor bird noises. An open window can bring the sounds inside, and a bird’s nest that’s in a tree near a window may make it difficult to tell if there are sounds from inside your house.

You can listen for other sounds besides chirping to identify an infestation. These sounds include unexplained rustling or scratching coming from chimney or attic areas. If a bird is caught in a small space and can’t fly out, you may hear its claws against the wall or interior area.

Other signs to look for include bird droppings and a strong smell. While the birds probably won’t smell, their droppings may.

Infestation Issues

The difference between a wanted pet bird and one that has taken over an area of your home is pretty major. Along with being an uninvited guest, a bird can cause problems for your home. Birds can block your chimney flue or cause damage to your woodwork or rafters.

Birds also present health concerns. Birds carry disease and pests, such as ticks or mites. Their droppings may harbor harmful bacteria that can make you or your family sick. Histoplasmosis is one of the main bird dropping-borne infections that can put you at risk. Because bird droppings can become airborne, you don’t necessarily have to come in direct contact with the droppings to feel the ill-effects of this illness.

Breathing in fungal spores from the bird’s excrement can make you sick too. While many people don’t show symptoms after catching an infection from birds, babies, young children, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system may develop serious problems.

Bird Removal

Do you have birds in your home? Removing them yourself isn’t always a realistic option. Trust an expert that has the knowledge and tools to safely get the birds and their nests out of your home. Contact us today for a free inspection.

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