6 Tips for Bird Proofing Your Home

During Spring, Bird looks for nesting sites. If you do not want that birds choose your home to create their nest, then bird proof your home with below given tips.

1. Decorations such as wreaths and hanging baskets appeal to certain birds - especially House Finches.  Often these are placed either low enough for pets to get to them or situated in high-traffic areas.  Check them periodically for evidence of nesting activity and consider moving them, or changing your traffic pattern temporarily at the first sign of nesting activity.  If you discover an established nest, try not to disturb it and reduce human and pet traffic in the vicinity. After the bird lays the eggs, they are active in the nest for about four weeks.

2. Make sure clothes-dryer vents are terminated with functional vent caps or covered with hardware cloth.  House sparrows are often attracted to open dryer vents.

3. Stovepipes and vent stacks from gas-fired appliances or drains should be topped with securely attached vent caps or heavy duty screen.

4. Check any fan exhausts in and around your home to be sure that they have no openings large enough for a bird to enter - it doesn't take much! This includes window fans, attic fans and roof-mounted attic ventilators. Openings can be covered with hardware cloth to prevent bird (or squirrel) entry.

5. Check the area around your home's eaves for openings that would allow birds to enter.  This can prevent birds from becoming trapped in attics or walls.

6. Check outdoor light fixtures on patios or in yards for nests. Make sure there are no open glass panes. If a nest has been removed from a light with an open top, cover with hardware cloth to prevent birds rebuilding.  The heat generated from operating the light is dangerous to birds, and is some cases can present a fire hazard.

Source: http://www.wildbirdrehab.org/about/blog/48-bird-proofing-your-home.html