Swallows- Interesting facts and how to deter them

This blog has been republished from our previous blog to now include our latest swallow deterrents.

Swallows are talented birds and can build a nest in as little as 24 hours and do so building some very impressive mud nests!

Below are some steps to take to prevent these birds from making your premises or boat their home;

1. Only when nests are vacant, fully remove and use a hospital grade cleaning solution to thoroughly clean all droppings and feathers and consider adding a fresh coat of gloss paint over the surfaces. Gloss paint makes it more difficult for the mud to stick. Bleach affects their sense of smell and removes the smell of their pheromones.

Bird Control Australia also stock a fantastic, non toxic bird dropping and pheromone remover which makes the job of cleaning so much easier.

2. Find the correct deterrent to stop them returning.
The Hawk Laser 80mW, Bird Laser, Quadblaster QB4 or Super Quadblaster QB4 and Ultrason -X have been found to be excellent deterrents in commercial and agricultural applications especially when using laser and ultrasonics in combination.

The lasers disorientate and frighten the swallows and ultrasonics annoy them making the premises uncomfortable because of the high frequency sounds which are silent to most humans.

For smaller areas of less than 20 meters, the Balcony Guard  and Yard Sentinel RC  ultrasonic sound deterrents.

The Swallow Shields are excellent physical deterrents. Easy to apply with a self-adhering back, clear mono-filament  strands interfere with their wings making it hard for them to roost or build nests.

3. Maximise your results by using Shock Tape or Bird Spikes in tucked away corners where they like to take refuge and hide.

4. Close doors 1 hour prior to sunset to prevent access to roost. The doors can then be re-opened after dark.

5. For boats we find a mixture of Ultrasonics and the Prowler Owl work brilliantly. Placing a Prowler Owl on the front and back of your boat and a Balcony Guard or Solar Boat Guard kit positioned along the railings is optimal.

Although great for farms due to their ability to eat massive amounts of insects that affect crops, these birds can also be damaging pests once they decide to home in barns and warehouses and they do so in very large numbers!

The fouling of these birds often damages machinery, produce, infrastructure and recreation areas due to their diseased droppings which also contain mites and insects that can bite humans too.

Swallows are a protected species and it is recommended you contact your local government agency to ask about the removal of nests during nesting/egg laying season.