How to Keep Bird Nests Out of the Gutter

Do you get bird nests in your gutters?

We can prevent birds from building nests in your gutters by installing our solid gutter guard Advantage Gutter Guard ®. It is completely solid, and slightly angled so nesting material slides right off. The birds will decide there’s a much better location for their home elsewhere.

The Problem with Bird Nests in the Gutters

Dangerous For Your Home:

Even if the rest of your gutters are clean, a birds nest can cause serious overflow problems for your gutters. 

Overflowing Gutters Cause Problems Like:

– Flooded basements

– Foundation damage

– Rotten siding

– Mold

– Water spots

– Soil erosion

Dangerous For The Birds:

Birds can even get stuck in downspouts and get trapped. We certainly don’t want that to happen to any bird, especially hatchlings!

bird-perched-on-home

How to Keep Bird Nests Out of the Gutters 

Birds love to return to the same nesting grounds time and again. So if you’ve ever had a bird build their home in your gutters – beware: this is going to be a regular thing. The only way to prevent a bird from nesting there again is to make it undesirable, or even better impossible.

Decoys

Fake owls and snakes may scare birds away. They even have motion sensor decoys that produce noise and movement. These may scare away new birds, but if you have a habitual nester, they may persevere long enough to figure out the trick.

Bird Spikes

These are large spikes that look like an intense barbed wire that attaches to the lip of the gutter. The purpose of these spikes is to prevent birds from having an easy perch while building their home. This will deter birds, but it will also likely deter you (or anyone you try to hire) from the necessary task of cleaning your gutters.   

Bird Repellent

This granule, gel, or spray repellent has a scent that birds detect that makes them uncomfortable with the surroundings, encouraging them to go elsewhere for their nest. Although quite effective, it needs to be reapplied frequently.

Install Solid Gutter Covers to Prevent Bird Nests

The number one solution for preventing bird’s nests is to install solid gutter covers. We say solid because we have found many bird’s nests on top of screen-style gutter covers. They actually love it- it’s easier for them to weave their nest within the mesh. 

Advantage Gutter Guard® is a completely solid, smooth surface heavy gauge aluminum. It is not a flat surface but has a slight slope to it. This makes it a very slippery surface to build a nest on – in fact, most breezes will take away nesting materials immediately. 

Although birds can be persistent, there are no openings they can fit into to attempt to build a nest. The slot where water flows around the nose of the cover is protected by the nose-forward design. These birdies are just going to have to find a nearby tree to roost from now on.

advantage gutter guard close up photo

Eliminate Nesting Birds and Gutter Cleaning

Ready to end the bird nest battle? Get Advantage Gutter Guard® – it comes with the added bonus of not having to clean your gutters ever again. A healthy guttering system = healthy home + happy homeowner. While the birds might be perturbed at first, they’ll likely find a safer, more peaceful roost.

Save the birds, save the headache – get Advantage Gutter Guard®

A cover that works and is recommended by a Chiefs Hall of Famer. 

If you’re looking for more information on whether or not gutter guards are worth investing your time and money into, check out our article here to see why gutter guards are worth it.

Updated from Aug 9, 2021

You Might Wonder

How Much Rain Can A Solid Gutter Guard Handle?

How Much Rain Can A Solid Gutter Guard Handle?

Advantage Gutter Guard ® has been third-party tested to handle more than 3 times the rain of a typical Kansas City rainstorm. In order to surpass Advantage Gutter Guard’s ® capacity, Kansas City would have to meet the world record for the heaviest rainfall ever recorded.

Can Gutter Guards Keep Spinners Out?
Can Gutter Guards Keep Spinners Out?

Absolutely! In fact, we have a video testimony from one of our customers sharing his experience with Advantage Gutter Guard ® and spinners.

Why Are My Gutters Overflowing?

5 Causes for Overflowing Gutters:

  1. Clogged Gutters
  2. Improperly Sloped Gutters
  3. Undersized Gutters
  4. Damaged Gutters
  5. Malfunctioning Gutters
What is The Best Way To Get Rid of a Bird’s Nest In My Gutters?
What is The Best Way To Get Rid of a Bird’s Nest In My Gutters?

In the U.S., before removing a bird’s nest, ensure it’s not active with eggs or baby birds, as many bird species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If the nest is active, wait until the birds have left. If inactive, carefully remove it using gloves and tools, then clean the area. Since nesting season usually lasts from spring to early fall, you’d have to wait until fall or winter to remove bird nests from your gutters.