Swallows in garage

rrelford · Apr 23, 2012

This maybe something you all have talked about in the past..but I need some help as I have 2 barn swallows that are making my garage a home. They are right above my back door and are making a mess. I think they are good for eating mosquitos..but I really don't need the mess at my door. I cleaned the nest away and wiped with Clorox hoping they would not like the smell...but sure enough they were back a few hours later. I keep the garage open so the dogs can get in out of the sun so shutting the door isn't an option. I also tried closing the door 3/4 way and that didn't work either. Any ideas?

Redneck in training · Apr 23, 2012

When I was a kid we had swallows in the hallway of our house every year. My mother just attached two cantilevers (similar to shelf brackets) to the wall and placed a piece of cardboard under the nest. Once a while she would replace the cardboard. You can also put e small wooden board on the wall to protect it. Then you throw it away after the season.

grnspot110 · Apr 23, 2012

We used to have them on our front porch!

We had a hanging light fixture that they liked to build on. I tried "stinky" things, no good, even greased the top of the fixture, no go! I finally changed the fixture to one that fit tight against the porch ceiling to stop them.

We now have a Bluebird nest in a detergent bottle with the top cut off on a shelf in the carport where I park the pickup. One egg yesterday,hope they stay!

My bird problem now is a pair of Cardinals fighting the pickup mirrors!

~~ grnspot

Ken45101 · Apr 23, 2012

We have swallows that build nests on top of the lightbulbs in the garage. Can't use those lights for fear of causing a fire, I've put in some additional vertical mounted lights that they don't use :laughing: But it's a good trade off as far as I'm concerned since they are so good at eating bugs.:thumbsup:

MotorSeven · Apr 23, 2012

Is there any place to install a dog door? Leaving the door open is not a good option since other critters can also get in when your dogs are sleeping or out to lunch. I found this in mine after leaving the doors open overnight:

The dang thing had already started to gnaw on furniture stored and my......pressure washer? Not sure what tasted good about a gas cap and sparkplug boot????

grnspot110 · Apr 23, 2012

I looked in this morning & we have a Bluebird egg in the nest, along with a Cardinal egg. We were gone today, so I checked again this evening, one Cardinal & two Bluebird eggs! ~~ grnspot

9973720wb19 · Apr 23, 2012

i had swallows nesting at three spots at my house last year and they made a big mess. this year I got three fake owls that have moving heads...i saw a few swallows buzzing around but they did not nest and have left. the owls work great and they look kind of nice at the house. i got them from northerntool:thumbsup:

murphy1244 · Apr 23, 2012

I leave the barn doors open just for them. Must have a dozen nests or so but they cut down the mosquito? population down.

Ken · Apr 23, 2012

My Father used to have a Wren build a nest under the gas tank of his H Farmall. He would just leave the tractor until they were raised. he liked birds.

A blue J would sit on top of house and chase away all other birds. One day he took his 12 GA shot gun and when the J flew overhgead he dispatched it . Yard was surounded with birds again.

Swifts are hard headed birds with memory of where they were raised. Try a rubber bungie cord around or near nest sometimes it works.
ken

rrelford · Apr 25, 2012

Well not sure what happened but the swallows moved out of the garage. I saw them flying tonight so I hope they found the barn a more suitable place to live. I would like them to hang around and eat a few mosquitoes. I am betting we will have plenty this year for them to eat.