Anyone Else Have Problems with Swallows?

[Sthronds]

Those stinkin birds are everywhere! They are in full force at my house and I can't seem to make them go away. I have nets all around my house and they are still trying to build nests, they just go lower than the nets. I keep trying to spray down the mud, knowing that once a nest is built, I am out of luck since they are protected. We've tried the shiny tape - they think it's pretty. We've tried the fake owl - they laugh at those. My dog used to bark at them but she can't see or hear anymore so doesn't care. Does anyone have a foolproof method of making them go away? I

 

[ToriLammy]

No foolproof method but last year my cat caught 3 of them, one each day for 3 days. This year no swallows but the neighbors still have them.

It was odd, watched my cat sitting on the driveway day after day letting those darn birds dive-bomb him and he'd just sit there like a statue. He was playing with them. He brought the first one home early in the morning, let it go in the living room. I heard the noise just in time to see the bird running in to the ceiling fan. Opened both doors and finally managed to chase it out. Cat must have thought Mom had fun cause next day same thing. It might have been the same bird, can't sure but by day three the bird he brought home had an injured wing. After that no more swallow problems, thank you Beau!

Up until Beau caught them, we were having the same problem, kept knocking down their nest only to have them move it a little to rebuild. Not a bird hater but I have a handicapped daughter and her only way in the house is the front door, precisely where they insisted on building. Good luck.

 

[beavismom]

I feel your pain. My entryway is like the CBR for barn swallows. The ceiling is recessed and faced with limestone so it is "safe" and easy to build on. We let them nest last year after I promised to clean the entryway everyday, but this year we have knocked down the nests as soon as they start building. We actually bought some artificial nest cups to put up on a different part of the house because we really like the birds and their mosquito eating. Unfortunately, they didn't use them since the entry still looks great to them. We tried a rubber snake as well and that isn't helping either. So, no real help for you, but at least you know you are not alone.

 

[Alice's Mom]

I have no advice since we actually we look forward to them at my apartment complex. When they are done nesting and have cleared out my complex cleans up the nests. At my parents house my Dad puts metal oil changing pans under nests on the patio to prevent any mess.

I figured they have always nested where I am, and through construction and housing development life has to find a way.

 

[corie161]

I wish I knew too. Where I work they were building a nest right above the door. It's a public building and they started swooping right above your heads. That one got taken down, and I think they are working on another.

Last year they had one towards the end of a long overhang, we left it and the babies were so cute to watch, but nothing like ducking for cover whenever you head outside.

 

[Kirby]

No advice for you. We just let the swallows build and have their babies. Then we clean it up after they are done. She's on her second set.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We hung up an owl right near where they were building their nest in my front entry door. DH hung it so it looks likes it is staring right at the spot, ready to chow down on swallows.
They hung around for 2 days waiting for that owl to leave.
She was one angry bird at her mate.

 

[sammi]

We enjoy having the swallows around and we also have 3 Mallard ducks (1 female and 2 males) who fly in each day for water,feed and a shady nap or 2!

We love to have any kind of birds around.