How to Stop Birds From Living in Your Attic

You might be surprised to learn that homeowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania often have trouble with birds nesting on their property. When winter turns to spring and the weather starts to warm up, starlings and sparrows start making nests so they can lay eggs.

European starlings and house sparrows are social birds that like to live in groups in both natural environments and places that people have made, like attics. If you've ever had a bird problem, you know how annoying and dangerous it can be.

If the problem isn't fixed, the droppings, damage, and noise will only get worse as the season goes on. Did you know that birds will always return to the same places if they can? Why would they go somewhere else if they can nest where they are?

How do you know if your attic is full of birds?

Birds nest in soffits, gable vents, broken vent covers for exhaust fans, stove vents, bathroom vents, dryer vents, exposed gutters, and light fixtures by doorways. Once they are inside, they aren't very quiet. Birds could be making all the flapping, banging, and scratching sounds in your attic.

The morning and evening are when they are most active, but that doesn't mean you won't hear them at other times of the day. The first sign that birds are living in your attic is that there is bird poop everywhere.

​When you go up to your attic, you'll smell an awful smell that's impossible to miss. Mostly because birds live in large groups, their droppings pile up very quickly. You might see starlings or sparrows if you see birds.

Starlings from Europe

European Starlings are easy to spot because their black feathers have a greenish-blue sheen and are covered in white spots. Their yellow bills are also pointed. They are small birds that are 7.9–9.1 inches long and have wings that span 12.2–15.8 inches. They may be the most common bird that bothers people in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

Most likely, the large, noisy groups of blackbirds on your lawn are European starlings. We've all seen them outside, but when they nest in attics, they can be a big problem.

The House Sparrows

The house sparrow is a small bird with a unique look. The backs of females are striped with black and brown, and their bodies are grayish-brown. The only difference between males and females is that males have a darker reddish-brown color on their heads and a mix of dark brown and black stripes on their backs.

There are a lot of these non-native birds in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, as well as all over the country as a whole. Like European starlings, house sparrows gather in large groups to eat on lawns and other parts of your property. They also like to nest in attics, light fixtures, and gutters.

What dangers do birds nesting in your attic pose to your health?

Birds make a lot of mess. Their waste can pile up quickly, which is bad for your health. Pathogens, parasites, and bacteria can be spread by bird droppings, and the risk grows as the bird problem gets worse. You won't have any luck if you wait for the birds to leave on their own. Some types of birds in the area try to go back to the same spot every year if they can. When they find a warm, dry place that keeps their nests safe from rain and predators, they have no reason to leave.
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Birds will use both natural and man-made things to build their nests. In their search for places to build nests, birds can tear through the wiring in your attic, which is a fire hazard right away. They can also tear up paper and insulation in your attic. Birds also like to use dropped hair and string to make their nests. Birds can damage your things and bring nesting materials from outside into your home. That means that there will be piles of leaves, feathers, grass, and other plant parts all-around your attic.

Top Tips for Homeowners to Keep Birds Away and Get Rid of Them
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As a homeowner, you may be wondering what you can do on your own to keep birds out of your attic and get rid of them if they are already there. It would be best to do this before birds start nesting so that the problem doesn't happen. The best way to deal with a bird problem is to make sure that all possible entry points are sealed.

Check your attic for small holes that lead outside, broken or torn vents, or any other possible entry points. If you have a flashlight, it will be easier to find holes that let you see outside. If you find any of these problems, fix them or get new ones if you can. Walk around the outside of your home and look for holes around gutter lines, up under soffits, and other torn or old vents.

Feeders and baths for birds can be a problem for a number of reasons. Not only will it make birds stay on your property longer, but it can also bring in other animals you don't want. Mice, rats, squirrels, and other animals in the area will come to your yard to eat the birdseed that has fallen there. Birds leave a lot of their food on the ground when they eat. Squirrels are another annoying animal that likes to eat from bird feeders.

​You may have seen bird feeders with springs built-in to keep squirrels away at a store or garden center near you. Even though this might help, you can never be sure that squirrels won't find a way to get a free meal. Pests have trouble with bird baths in the spring and summer. Did you know that mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little water as a bottle cap? Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, like in bird baths, on playground equipment, or in open buckets. It's best to empty bird baths often to keep mosquitoes from breeding on your property.

If you find eggs or baby birds in your attic, you should also be careful. If you lock them in, their mother won't be able to bring them food, which means they will die. They can also be forced into other parts of your house when they are old enough to move around on their own and are looking for a way out. If you find live birds in your attic, call Jersey City Exterminator for help getting rid of them and making sure they don't come back.

What does it cost to get rid of birds in an attic?

Jersey City Exterminator's Bird Exclusion Service costs depend on how big an area of your home needs to be sealed and how much work needs to be done to get rid of all the birds. Prices can change based on how bad the bird problem is. This is a permanent solution that doesn't need any upkeep in the future.

How can Jersey City Exterminator get rid of the birds that are in my attic?
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Service for Keeping Birds Out

We can help if you have birds in your attic. Jersey City Exterminator's Bird Exclusion Service is a permanent and humane way to stop birds from nesting in your attic and getting in there to do other things. Instead of using poisons, chemicals, or euthanasia, our plan is to trap and seal the birds in a humane way. Once the birds have left, our experts will seal your home so that they can't come back in. Strategies are:
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• Putting up aluminum flashing to block entry points
• Hardware cloth to stop people from getting back in To completely seal gaps, use expandable foam.
• Bird spikes to stop them from nesting and doing other things
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