How to rid huge barn of birds?

[jyoutz]

There is a very large renovated barn, about 60ft x 80ft x 40+ ft ht that's full of birds...barn swallow I think. Bird droppings everywhere, Gambrel roof style no coupolas. Anyone know how you could keep them out? It's full of rafters very high up, has hay loft with end doors, very large drive through ground level with rolling double doors each end. I think impossible to seal doors and stall windows tight. Hundreds of birds, mostly mud nests on walls & high up.
Way too much for cats plus they couldn't get up where they are I'm thinking.

I use this in my orchard when I have a good fruit year. It randomly broadcasts bird predator sounds (hawks) and the distress sounds of the birds that are the problem. It works, but you have to be ok with the random sounds.

Bird Gard – The future of Bird Control, today.

Bird Gard employs advanced bioacoustics to effectively deter nuisance birds from agricultural areas, significantly reducing crop damage and boosting profits. With field-tested technology that prevents habituation, easy installation, and no annual operating costs, Bird Gard® has a proven record...

birdgard.com

 

[ponytug]

I use this in my orchard when I have a good fruit year. It randomly broadcasts bird predator sounds (hawks) and the distress sounds of the birds that are the problem. It works, but you have to be ok with the random sounds.

Bird Gard – The future of Bird Control, today.

Bird Gard employs advanced bioacoustics to effectively deter nuisance birds from agricultural areas, significantly reducing crop damage and boosting profits. With field-tested technology that prevents habituation, easy installation, and no annual operating costs, Bird Gard® has a proven record...

birdgard.com

I've been around them occasionally and personally, I find the random distress calls unsettling. But perhaps one gets used to it with time. I will say that the Bird Gards did keep the areas clear of birds.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

It's a long-long story and not our barn...yet.
Thanks so much for replies and it helps in my consideration of whether at our age we want taking on that project. I can post pictures and here's one showing part of inside. It is a "yuge" barn that's had lots of money put in it already.

 

[ericm979]

Wow that looks nice!

I'd start by finding ways to seal the building so the birds can't get in. You don't need to close it up as tight as is needed to keep out mice or rats. Just tight enough to keep them from flying in.

That's judging from evicting swifts who wanted to nest in my garage in Oregon. Once I blocked off the missing window pane and kept the doors closed they stopped getting in.

 

[EddieWalker]

Love the block walls!!!!

Looking at the picture, it appears there are only two gable ends to deal with. Is there an obvious opening that they are using to enter the barn?

Once it's sealed up, I like the cannon sound idea to scare them out. Probably just shoot a gun into something safe and see if that scares them out of the barn, then shut it closed and keep them from coming back in.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

There is a very large renovated barn, about 60ft x 80ft x 40+ ft ht that's full of birds...barn swallow I think. Bird droppings everywhere, Gambrel roof style no coupolas. Anyone know how you could keep them out? It's full of rafters very high up, has hay loft with end doors, very large drive through ground level with rolling double doors each end. I think impossible to seal doors and stall windows tight. Hundreds of birds, mostly mud nests on walls & high up.
Way too much for cats plus they couldn't get up where they are I'm thinking.

I use a 30" air horn with a remote ball valve to get the red squirrels out of my garage.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Unless you are going to remove or not use those stalls, I don't see keeping the doors closed during the season that the barn swallows are using it?

 

[masseyrider]

I would eradicate the owner before I would even consider harming a Martin.

 

[Runner]

I use a 30" air horn with a remote ball valve to get the red squirrels out of my garage.

 

[ericm979]

Once they have built nests they're going to want to stay until the chick fledge. The time to exclude them is before they nest. Or you can remove nests as they build them.

BTW swallows are federally protected. It looks like it's ok to discourage them and even to remove nests but not if they have eggs or young. This page has a lot of good info in general and useful tips on removing/discouraging them: Nuisance swallows | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service