Quick Answers
Birds in the garage can be annoying and messy. Here are some quick answers to common questions about getting them out:
Why are there birds in my garage?
– They are looking for food, water, and shelter. Common culprits are seeds/grain, open pet food, and nesting spots.
What’s the best way to get them out?
– Remove any food sources, open garage door, use sounds/sights to scare them out. Avoid harming them.
How can I keep them from coming back?
– Seal openings they enter through, use bird netting over vents/openings, install ultrasonic deterrents.
Will they cause damage?
– Birds can cause minor damage by nesting, pecking, and leaving droppings. Major damage is unlikely.
When should I call a professional?
– If you can’t locate their entry point, a large number of birds won’t leave, or droppings/smells are excessive.
Identifying Why Birds Are In Your Garage
Birds enter garages for three main reasons:
Food Sources
Birds can smell food sources and will fly into garages seeking things like:
– Pet food bowls
– Leftover bird seed/grain
– Compost piles
– Crumbs/food debris
Make sure all pet food bowls and bird food is sealed and secure. Clean up any food spills or debris right away. Store compost bins securely outside the garage.
Water Sources
Birds need to drink water daily, and may fly into garages looking for sources like:
– Pet water bowls
– Leaky faucets/pipes
– Open buckets/containers collecting rain water
– Puddles on the garage floor
Remove any open water sources. Fix any leaky plumbing fixtures. Dump out rain collection buckets. Sweep and dry any puddles.
Nesting Sites
Birds can make nests in garages on:
– Garage door openers/tracks
– Shelves or storage items
– Ledges or nooks on walls/ceiling
– Rafters/rafter tails
– Exposed insulation
Inspect your garage carefully and remove any existing nests. Install bird netting or contact paper over exposed insulation. Block access to ledges, rafters, and tracks with boards or netting.
Common Birds That Nest in Garages
| Bird | Description |
|---|---|
| Sparrows | Small brown birds with black streaks. Make messy nests. |
| Swallows | Streamlined birds with long pointed wings. Nest on ledges. |
| Phoebes | Gray-brown birds that repeatedly flick their tails. Nest on shelves. |
Being aware of which birds are trying to nest can help you locate and remove their nests. Sparrows and phoebes will use almost any spot, while swallow nests are usually on ledges or beams.
Getting Birds Out of Your Garage
Once you’ve removed food sources, water, and nesting sites, you can start persuading birds to leave your garage:
Open The Garage Door
Often birds will naturally fly out once the garage door is opened. Open both the main garage door and a side entry door or window to give them multiple escape routes. Stand back and allow them to exit on their own.
Use Scare Tactics
If birds don’t leave on their own, you can scare them out by:
– Making loud noises like clapping, shouting, or banging pots.
– Turning lights on/off rapidly.
– Using safe laser lights or strobe lights to flash at them.
– Opening an umbrella rapidly to startle them.
Be persistent and don’t let them settle back down. Use multiple tactics until they leave.
Install Bird Repellents
Strategically placing bird scare devices such as:
– Fake owls or hawks.
– Flashing lights or eyes spots.
– Aluminum pans that clatter when moved.
– Ultrasonic pulsers that emit high-pitched sounds.
These can help deter birds from initially entering the garage space.
Call A Wildlife Expert
For severe infestations, or situations where birds won’t leave willingly, calling a wildlife removal service may be needed. They have specialized tools and methods for humanely evicting stubborn birds.
Methods to Avoid
Avoid using these harmful methods:
– Mouse/rat poisons – Toxic to birds as well.
– Glue traps/boards – Can injure birds.
– Smoke or fire – Unsafe around gasoline/flammables in garage.
– Harming birds – Unnecessary and illegal.
The goal is to humanely encourage birds to leave and not return. Harming them is unnecessary.
Preventing Birds From Returning
To keep birds from getting back into the garage, there are some simple preventative measures:
Seal Entry Points
Check for and seal any gaps or holes where birds may get in:
– Cracks/gaps in garage doors, windows or sidings.
– Gaps around pipes, AC units, vents, wires etc.
– Holes in roof eaves, overhangs or gables.
Use steel wool, caulk, weather sealant, hardware cloth or other materials to plug holes.
Install Bird Netting
Cover any vents, rafter tails, or other problem nesting areas with 1/4 inch metal bird netting, installed several inches from surfaces. This allows airflow but blocks birds.
| Area | Netting Needed |
|---|---|
| Attic Vents | 1ft x 1ft |
| Gable Vents | 2ft x 2ft |
| Rafter Tails | As needed |
Measure vent sizes and buy appropriately sized netting. Use sturdy material that won’t sag or detach.
Install Ultrasonic Devices
Battery-powered ultrasonic pulsers emit high frequency sounds that deter birds, but are inaudible to humans. Place these 6-10 feet off the ground pointing toward typical bird entry points.
Keep Garage Clean & Closed
Don’t give birds a reason to enter. Keep the garage clean, keep food cleaned up, doors closed and gaps sealed at all times. Check for new gaps or damage if birds suddenly return.
Hire A Pest Control Company
For severe bird problems, or if preventative measures aren’t working, contacting a professional pest or wildlife control company may be needed. They can:
– Pinpoint tricky nesting spots.
– Remove large or hazardous nests.
– Set up commercial-grade deterrents.
– Ensure birds don’t return.
– Handle issues humanely and legally.
Get a referral or estimate from at least 3 companies before hiring.
Damage Caused by Birds
Birds don’t generally cause major damage, but can create some nuisance issues like:
Droppings
Bird droppings can stain and mess paint, vehicles, equipment etc. Use disinfectant cleaner to sanitize affected areas.
Nests
Nests built on garage infrastructure can occasionally cause minor damage if allowed to grow very large.
Pecking
Woodpeckers may peck at wooden garage structures but this is uncommon. Install netting or deterrents to prevent damage.
Disease
While rare, bird droppings can harbor diseases. Wear gloves and sanitize impacted areas. See a doctor for respiratory symptoms.
Major structural damage or safety issues from birds alone is unlikely. The mess and nuisance factor tend to be greater concerns.
When to Call a Professional
In some cases it is advisable to call a wildlife control professional right away:
– Large numbers of birds that won’t leave.
– Accumulation of droppings/debris.
– Ongoing damages despite deterrents.
– Dead birds or nests in hazardous locations.
– Health concerns from contamination or droppings.
Don’t delay calling for help with significant bird issues in the garage space.
Conclusion
Birds entering garages is a common nuisance issue that can usually be resolved by removing attractants and scaring them away. Persistent birds may require extra deterrents like netting and noisemakers. Severe cases call for professional bird removal services. With some simple prevention tactics, your garage can remain a bird-free space for vehicles, tools and storage.
