Asked on Jun 14, 2014

Ok I need some humanely advice on my "birdly" situation?

Anna Ibarra
by Anna Ibarra
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I have no idea why birds insist to habitat on my front porch. 2nd time this year since May! Last was on my hanging fern. The poor plant was bombarded with poop. Now it's this. Is it bad to take it down? If I do I want to do it correctly, but will it still look for the nest? I'm not informed on this matter I'm afraid.
ok i need some humanely advice on my birdly situation, I instantly want to take it down because I saw what it did to my fern poor thing suffered was careful on how to water it as I didn t want to drown the poor lil babies But I can just imagine what it will do to my door
I instantly want to take it down, because I saw what it did to my fern, poor thing suffered, was careful on how to water it as I didn't want to drown the poor lil babies. But I can just imagine what it will do to my door.
ok i need some humanely advice on my birdly situation, Look out yesterday and saw this but didn t make much of it I should have known day before when I saw bird fly away
Look out yesterday and saw this, but didn't make much of it. I should have known day before when I saw bird fly away.
ok i need some humanely advice on my birdly situation, Of all wreaths it s on my Patriotic wreath a gift from a dear friend
Of all wreaths it's on my Patriotic wreath, a gift from a dear friend.
ok i need some humanely advice on my birdly situation, My Front door I don t use it much since I park in garage and enter thru garage But my son didn t even noticed
My Front door. I don't use it much, since I park in garage and enter thru garage. But my son, didn't even noticed.
  67 answers
  • Jenni @ Sweet Pennies Jenni @ Sweet Pennies on Jun 14, 2014
    Same thing, well, almost - happened with us on our back patio. We caught the bird making it's nest and we removed it from our patio. So, I assume the bird had to start over, elsewhere. I like birds but I didn't want it right there on our back patio because it was in an area low enough that one of the cats could have demolished it. Good luck!
  • Nance Greenwell Nance Greenwell on Jun 14, 2014
    Just remove it, I wonder if adding some intense smell such as Vic's vapor rub or moth balls....maybe it would offend future birds to not start?
  • Barbara Barbara on Jun 14, 2014
    We've had one in our hanging fern! We removed it before she could lay egs and transferred it to a large ficus a few feet away, far enough to keep feathers and poop from our door, but close enough so the bird could find it when she returned. She apparently didn't care for the new location, so built a new nest in a very tall mock orange we have by our water heater storage cabinet on the opposite side of our home. I left it there, preferring to give her peace and let her lay her eggs. No mess there
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jun 14, 2014
    @Anna Ibarra i had a nest on the front porch first thing this spring it was on top of a column in the corner..every time we came in or out the door the birds (dad and mom) would screech and scare us...there was bird poop all over and the mess of mud and twigs etc. we tolerated this until the kids flew away i took the nest down and cleaned the porch off and things settled down to normal well i looked up yesterday and there was another nest in the same spot... we checked for eggs and there wasn't any so we took nest down...i have 3 huge trees in front yard they can do their business there lol xx
    • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 14, 2014
      Great - I have lots of oaks around and mtn Laurels u think it would choose one there. I will move it.
  • Dee Dee on Jun 14, 2014
    I had the same problem, and the birds dive bombed me every time I went within 10 feet of the nest. I had to wait until the babies were born, and this week I am going to knock down the nest. Birds can be evil, they ganged up on me and kept hitting me in the head 2 at a time.
  • Diane Diane on Jun 14, 2014
    Too late for you now but add balled up tin foil in hanging baskets or your wreath in your case. I have been doing it for several years since a friend told me about it and no birds. Don't know why it works but so far it has for several years.
    • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 14, 2014
      Diane I don't think it layed yet- found it this & nothing on it. Plus all the twigs I found yesterday . I'm moving it & using ur tips
  • Vicki Vicki on Jun 14, 2014
    we removed asap when there were few sticks anywhere cuz we did not want their mess with smelly poops, dead baby birds to bury, bugs in the nests and not want birds to attack on our heads with their dirty feet to infect if some scratch on our heads.
  • Melissa Gutilla Melissa Gutilla on Jun 14, 2014
    Since we had bird mites one year after the babies left the nest I don't let any nest stay! They are horrible to get rid of! It took me about 2 months to completely rid the house.
    • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 14, 2014
      @Melissa Gutilla OMG I never knew about bird mites. Good to know. Thanks
  • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 14, 2014
    I got rid of it, the nest wasn't finished cause it was still in the stages of being built, as I took it out and placed it somewhere else, it was falling apart. Poor lil Bird, felt bad. But my poor fern suffered a lot and to clean the bird poop was a lot of work.
  • Lauren Lauren on Jun 15, 2014
    Glad to hear the nest wasn't finished. It is actually not appropriate to remove nests, especially during nesting season. The fern would have come back, especially since you were careful to nest. You might want to check local laws, as many bird species are endangered.
  • Lauren Lauren on Jun 15, 2014
    I'm concerned about the advice given here. A good place to contact is your local Audubon Society chapters. They can give you "expert" advice regarding these "temporary" inconveniences. Many bird species are endangered and the number one predator is human activity. Please, educate yourself accordingly, before making decisions. Thank you.
  • Irish53 Irish53 on Jun 15, 2014
    So long as the babies have grown I would take it down. Even though it is a bother to have them nesting so close to the house it is good that they trust you .I would not hang any wreath on the door during nesting season one year so as not to give them a home to return to.
  • Lynn Rainsford Lynn Rainsford on Jun 15, 2014
    Take it down before the eggs are laid, and they will build another nest elsewhere. Some birds build several nests and inhabit the one they deem the best
  • WannaBGardener WannaBGardener on Jun 15, 2014
    @Anna Ibarra be very careful when handling the nest. The (dried) droppings from birds (and bats) can cause histoplasmosis (a fungal infection of the lungs). In the future, wear a dust mask when removing the nest to avoid inhalation of these fine particles. Good luck with your nesting problem.
  • Mlcapaci Mlcapaci on Jun 15, 2014
    Take some net or an ld sock and fill it with moth balls and hang it near the place you Do Not want the birds. This also discourages bees, wasps, Mosquitos.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 15, 2014
    It really is illegal to remove the nest of any migratory bird. To prevent this from happening again, you should cover any potential nesting ledge on your porch.
    • See 2 previous
    • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 15, 2014
      @Chris aka monkey You can remove a nest after its use, which for most birds is no more than a month.
  • Tammy M Tammy M on Jun 15, 2014
    Had the same problem this year. I took my outdoor wreaths down. Birds just naturally love to nest in them. I put them back up after all the little birdies had laid their eggs. I would rather do that than deal with the mess they make every day. Also our front door is our main entry and don't want the little ones to be hurt.
  • Angie Angie on Jun 15, 2014
    You already took it down, but I was going to suggest removing it now before she laid her eggs. She'll build another somewhere else. Hopefully a little safer place next time!
  • Liz H Liz H on Jun 15, 2014
    It is illegal to disturb birds or nests. They only nest and rear birds for about a month. Suck it up and steer clear!
    • Pat Pat on Jun 15, 2014
      @Liz H Yes, I agree with you. They will be gone soon.
  • Loretta Loretta on Jun 15, 2014
    I find it hard to believe many are concerned about the mess rather than the mother and babies. Do you have your own children? Listen to Doug if all for the legal aspect
    • Amy W. Amy W. on Jun 15, 2014
      I agree, l would be so happy that they picked my door :)
  • Ellen McCann-Fletcher Ellen McCann-Fletcher on Jun 15, 2014
    It really is lucky for you that birds nest on your entry door. Feel happy they choose you & forget the mess for a couple of weeks, months.
  • Cindy tustin Cindy tustin on Jun 15, 2014
    I find it hard to believe that so many people hate these gods creatures. I have wrens and red birds that nest on my porch every year. Ilove to hear them sing and when they shove the babies out and teach them how to forage it is amazing. I have never had mites. the wren nests I leave and in the spring they spruce it up. Red birds nest in a Porcelian vine nice foilage every year right next to a hummer feeder. These little creatures bring me so much joy.
    • Holly Bracy Holly Bracy on Jun 17, 2014
      @Cindy tustin That is silly, they just don't want the bird's mess in their living areas.
  • Katt Katt on Jun 15, 2014
    I have wres that nest each year on my front porch. I really enjoy them. I have a teracota ornament that the nest in. When they leave I clean out the ornament, ready for the next brood. I keep the front porch swept off while the are building. I enjoy having them and miss their songs when they are gone.
  • Change of Art Change of Art on Jun 15, 2014
    @Anna Ibarra I think it's lovely that you're looking out for the birds as well as your home. And, I'd take it as a good sign that they chose your patriotic wreath! I agree with @Irish53 -- I think it's lovely that they trust you enough to raise babies near your home. I've always thought a birds' nest in your yard was good luck. Even though they can get messy (especially morning doves -- what a poop storm!). Luckily, the babies grow quickly, so if you didn't catch it in time, they'll be gone soon enough. I didn't get a nest in my back yard for the first spring in ages. At first, I was relieved (no mess, no worrying about babies falling out of the nest – or crows snatching the babies)... But I realized last week that I kind of missed it. Go figure...
    • Sherry Morse Sherry Morse on Jun 15, 2014
      @Change of Art I know what you mean! I have tons of pictures of the doves that nested in my hanging ferns and the robin that made a nest over the electric box. I miss them this year and wondered why none graced me with their presence.
  • Kiff Harvey Kiff Harvey on Jun 15, 2014
    I usually discourage them while they are making the nest before the eggs are laid if noisy or busy spot they will move on. Too late once they are nesting
    • Janette Janette on Jun 15, 2014
      @Kiff Harvey I have finches that nest in a wreath by the main door of my house. They don't seem to mind the noise.
  • Jan Thompson Jan Thompson on Jun 15, 2014
    Maybe you could wrap a plastic snake in an inconspicuous spot. I have seen them do this in Texas on mobile homes to keep the birds from nesting where they aren't wanted. Also hanging a plastic grocery bag helps as they don't like the rustling. A bit unsightly but probably not as bad as bird poop. Just needed during the nesting season then it could come down.
  • Laurie Laurie on Jun 15, 2014
    Don't take it so seriously. Take it down. You don't have to call the audubon society. The birds will build another nest elsewhere. If you leave it up, they will come back every year and nest there. I know from experience, they will build another.
  • Niki Hart Niki Hart on Jun 15, 2014
    I had this problem, and I solved it by putting a birdhouse on a high shelf on the porch, away from the door for next season, and I always put a dollar tree crow on my wreath, it seems to discourage the other birds from making a nest there. Good Luck. Oh, by the way, I left the nest the first season, as I didn't want to break up a family of mocking birds.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jun 15, 2014
    I say,let them nest there for this season, then try a different solutions after the little ones are gone.
  • Amy W. Amy W. on Jun 15, 2014
    Leave them alone!!!......the birds having a safe place is far more important than a little mess....really, l would feel so lucky to have a chance to see them that close...they will eventually leave and you will be blessed with a REAL birds nest....how awesome is that??????
  • Sarah Jackson Sarah Jackson on Jun 15, 2014
    I can not believe so many are leaving such negative comments here.. comments like, "hate God's creatures", "Leave them alone!!!", etc... Come on people, this is just a lady who doesn't want her porch covered in bird poop, but also does no want to cause any harm to these little creatures. Please, offer constructive comments, not criticisim. My suggestion would be plan ahead for next year. Do as some business do.... a plastic owl or rubber snake can be deterents... also the suggestion made here of a nearby birdhouse. Unfortunately, there is no safe way to move them this year so the key is to look ahead for preventative measures. Best of luck to you.
  • Sharron Sharron on Jun 15, 2014
    Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for your present nest, but I had a friend who sold her home recently and discovered a small birds nest (with eggs inside) built into the wreath on her front door. We noticed that the new people who bought the house, carefully moved the wreath (with the nest still attached) to a nearby flower garden and hung the wreath on a shepherd's hook. Homeowner and Mama bird were both happy!
  • Denise Riddle Denise Riddle on Jun 15, 2014
    Leave the nest alone until babies are gone. Than remove it.
  • Pamela N Pamela N on Jun 15, 2014
    Bird hater. You don't even use the door. A few twigs on your porch... o no!!! I'd be pleased if I had some insect eaters on my porch, and feel blessed by God. Hard to believe you consider this a big problem and need lots of advice. My advice: get over it.
    • See 1 previous
    • Sue Beaty Sue Beaty on Jun 15, 2014
      @Pamela N if she was a hater, i dont think shed of bothered with asking. she wouldve just tossed it.....eggs and all...... i had one on my front porch took up residence in a planter. built an AMAZING nest. never seen anything like it before, and it was a robin. anyway, i moved the planter to a nearby pine tree. with eggs. she actually was confused i think as laid one on a crate i had for deco. i picked up the egg with a paper towel hoping she would still lay on it. all ended up well with chirping babies outside my window. i believe as long as you dont disrupt it too awful much it should be ok. maybe figure out some kind of deterrant for future ref. good luck.
  • Barbara Ahern Barbara Ahern on Jun 15, 2014
    I would suggest that you check it every few days and clean it up before they get the nest completed or almost completed. I had the same problem with my hanging petunia flower basket, so I had to quit buying a hanging one for the porch area. We have TEN acres of unimproved land, that birds can build a nest, but for some reason they love the covered areas, guess they don't like the rain on their babies. I UNDERSTAND your dilemma, We love Birds, but there are other places to build a home
  • Kathy F Kathy F on Jun 15, 2014
    I hung a gourd on my back porch, first day, wrens started a nest. They sing all day long,& everytime I hear them I got a big old smile across my face, knowing that I made them happy. I love to hear them sing, Plus mthe fact they will only be in it for so long. Kathy F
  • Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs) on Jun 15, 2014
    Bird hater? Seriously??? Wow, Pam, please take a chill pill. If our dear writer hated birds she'd have simply erased them in a rather uncaring and deadly fashion and not posted here for help. If you don't have anything nice to say or suggest, please refrain from making negative comments. Anna, I'd move the wreath to a safer, more conspicuous place. Love the idea of putting a birdhouse nearby. I wish you good luck!
  • LonestarCa65 LonestarCa65 on Jun 15, 2014
    It is perfectly okay to remove the nest before there are eggs. Once the eggs are laid, most states have a ban against destroying the nest. Remove the nest and they will rebuild elsewhere.
  • Ruth12345 Ruth12345 on Jun 15, 2014
    They did my front door like that i left then to hatch.
  • Rita Wozniak Rita Wozniak on Jun 15, 2014
    get an artificial one to hang there one that looks pretty for you and wont have to worry about so much bird poop after the babies fly away just take it down and hose it out real good.. then hang a real one there.. the little birds only breed in the spring..
  • Kate Chatterton Kate Chatterton on Jun 15, 2014
    To the person making the bird hater comment. Please re-read what was written, while the lady of the house doesn't use that door, others do. I will suggest to you, a door in active though somewhat limited use is not the safest place for the inhabitants of the nest. So someone asking how to safety (if possible) and humanely move the nest could better be characterized as a bird lover. While I respect your right to express your opinion, please carefully read and reread a post before blasting someone asking for help. To the homeowner, if you can't remove the nest before eggs are laid, you have a wonderful opportunity to watch (from inside the house) the baby birds as they grow.
    • Sue Beaty Sue Beaty on Jun 15, 2014
      @Kate Chatterton personally, i think this time around id watch.....
  • Meem Kaplan Meem Kaplan on Jun 15, 2014
    I read once that it is customary in the south east to paint the ceiling of porches sky-blue to discourage birds. I personally don't know that it works but it kinda makes sense? I don't have nesting areas on my home but I would LOVE to...in the better places, of course. Perhaps some open sided bird houses for those swallows? I lived in another house that had a place on the back porch just under the roof over the stairs and I so loved watching the birds. They would have 2 broods a year. And my cat learned to leave them alone pretty quickly!
  • Meem Kaplan Meem Kaplan on Jun 15, 2014
    Also, if you leave the nest, put down a puppy pad underneath it for the duration..
  • Stephanie Stephanie on Jun 15, 2014
    I had this happen last year. Same situation. My bird had not laid her eggs yet, so I moved the nest to a nearby tree. You'd be amazed at how closely the birds will watch you move the nest, even if YOU can't see THEM. Anyway, they resumed their "housekeeping" in the moved nest and all was well.
  • Sue Beaty Sue Beaty on Jun 15, 2014
    ill back that statement. and im sure ill run into the issue again next year. so be it. use back door:)
  • Berrie Cameron-Allen Berrie Cameron-Allen on Jun 16, 2014
    Maybe you could buy a bird's nesting box from a pet store, and install it somewhere safe, near by and then transfer the nest into it, if the eggs have not yet been laid. That way, they'd have shelter, and you'd have the pleasure of watching them and listening to them without the mess!
  • Denise Van Hulst Denise Van Hulst on Jun 16, 2014
    If the nest is on a door then the birds are going to get combative once eggs are in it and even more so if they manage to hatch in that location. You also risk chics falling from the nest when you open it. It is also possible that the birds will abandon the nest if it is disturbed constantly by the door being opened and closed. Better to just move it now whatever happens and redirect their habitat to a more suited place in a nearby tree or nesting box. Good luck.
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on Jun 16, 2014
    She mentioned drowning the babies. Sounds like they are hatched? If so, move the nest to a close safe place and the babies will call the mother. Just don't touch the babies themselves. No babies? Move it near by, she will be watching.
    • See 1 previous
    • Larry Lou Larry Lou on Jun 17, 2014
      @Diane Arnold I think you misunderstood what Anna said. She did NOT say she drowned or would drown the babies, she said she didn't water her fern out of fear the babies would drown. :)
  • Magwan Magwan on Jun 16, 2014
    We have the same problem. If there are eggs in the nest, we'll wait for them to hatch then fly the coop then remove the nest. If no eggs, then we just remove it. Now they've found a gutter downspout to have their nest (of course it's in an area we can't reach) and they are out of the way.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 16, 2014
    Please forgive me for laughing, but birds have tormented me for YEARS! They are relentless! I have 2 arches...if I hang a basket in the first arch, it gets destroyed, while they never touch the one in the second arch! (???) They then nest in my bird houses, which I love...sort of! What I don't like is they screech, dive bomb the porch if you are out there and poop on everything until their babies fly the coop! I redid my porch in bright colors about 3 years ago and I have yet to sit out there more than a few minutes in any spring season yet! By the time they have made a mess and moved on, it is hot on the front of the house that faces West! Will I fight them? No, because actually, I have learned to laugh at their antics. I post pictures on HT of the messes they make and complain about them as though I am their evil mother-in-law, but then sweep and mop the porch and let them have it!
    • See 3 previous
    • Bernice H Bernice H on Mar 30, 2016
      Ahhh Jeannette...good story! I have a hummingbird nest in our bushes,giving me the worries. It already has blown down,mom didn't build it strong enough to withstand the big wind the other night. So when we found out,we looked for it , baby was still in it so hubs wired it back up to the bush. But now I worry worry worry.... And we seem to have one mocking bird..I think...... But tries to come in under the bushes. Looking for mom? I don't know.
  • Pamela Knott Pamela Knott on Jun 16, 2014
    I had 2 hanging baskets on my porch and looked forward to the nests every year. Then they built one on a wreath and it stained my siding. Oh well, just had to always have a wreath hanging there. We didn't use the front porch much so it was rarely a problem. I love to run over and look at the babies when the Mom leaves them. But I never touch them or harm them. I missed out on seeing them flee the nest every time! Dang it!
  • Carrie Cavner Carrie Cavner on Jun 16, 2014
    Birds return to a spot every year, either because it was once migratory land or parents find it to be very safe. Once birds have nested and eggs are in the nest, It is best to leave it until all the raising of babes is done. Once they have left remove nest to a nearby tree. To avoid this from happening next year, place an angled piece of slippery plastic on the spot, u can tape it on or just use 3m strips that come off without a mark. The birds cannot build on this or find a safe grip and will move on to a nearby spot..usually where the last nest was. BTW don't remove that last nest. Good Luck!
  • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 16, 2014
    I think I better explain the situation a bit better, as I see it started all sort of issues. I have had many nests made around my home in areas on my house, like a vent, crack in my house and garage, they would wake me in am, and all over. I had never ever touched them until the babies flew the coop. I like them nesting around my home, however, I had to mesh cover the vent as it could lead to a fire hazard, so in cases like that I feel I need to take care of those issues asap or till babies have flown away, for security measures. I don't use the front door, but I do have my kids that use the front door, and the wreath does move sometimes as door opens, so nest may have fallen. I did however I did move the nest as the bird was building, as I decided all the mess that was left on the fern, I don't need all that on my door and entry floor. I am not a bird hater, this one time I felt I reached for some advice on this issues, but I can see it caused many opinions. I am a full time caregiver for my husband w/brain disease, who requires 24/7 care. This job alone is enough without my having to do anymore then I need to, and I also have his medical team and care providers that use the front door, and using the back door is way out of the way, as some suggested. We all have different lay outs on our homes, I wouldn't ask my husband medical team to use back doors. Thank you for all suggestions, I'm not upset, just some of us have different options. I thank all for your suggestions, and I did follow some advice. I haven't ck to see if the momma use the area I pick for the new location. I'll ck later. Have a great day all.
    • See 2 previous
    • Larry Lou Larry Lou on Jun 17, 2014
      @Anna Ibarra Personally I don't think you "said" anything wrong. We have birds and we even raise certain birds, so when I move a nest outside it's for the good of my family, building AND the wildlife, just as you have done. Everyone has their opinions and that's a good thing so we are all the same, but it's the tone or how someone responds to something that is important. Hope you will be able to get this straightened nesting situation worked out soon, sounds like you really don't need any negative comments nor the situation with the birds with your family situation. I hope it all works out for you and soon.
  • Jan 3 Boll Jan 3 Boll on Jun 16, 2014
    Birds have no sense of smell - you touching the nest/babies won't bother them. As someone said, above, the birds keep en eye out for their nest and will see where you move it to. Maybe you could try weaving fish line across the wreath so the wreath will still look good but there won't be as much room for a bird to build a nest?
  • Tequila Quila Tequila Quila on Jun 17, 2014
    You explained your self fine. And I think we all get what you were saying. I know it's hard but don't listen to the haters. Do what you think is fine and ignore the rest. You only have the birds welfare in mind.
  • Norma W Norma W on Jun 17, 2014
    Moth balls in your hanging planters, or the small shiny spinners will keep the birds away. I dealt with birds ruining my hanging plants every year, and now I put in a few moth balls, and the spinner just to be safe. The spinner works until the plant gets too large. So far, no birds this year!
  • Holly Bracy Holly Bracy on Jun 17, 2014
    We had finches building a nest in the wreath on our front door and we removed the nest and the wreath. They then built one in a hanging plant. While I was watering the plant, i noticed that their were four finch eggs and one odd looking egg, larger and different colored. We thought it was a cowbird egg. My hubby decided to take out the cowbird egg and it looks like the finch mama has abandoned the nest, sadly.
  • Mlcapaci Mlcapaci on Jun 18, 2014
    Call your extension agency or the Audubon Society. They should be able to assist you.
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on Jun 19, 2014
    I am so sorry for the misunderstanding. I never thought you drowned the babies. I meant there seemed to be babies, not just eggs since you mentioned (and I left out afraid)drowning babies. You were doing a wonderful thing and I hope you except my apology. I worded things terribly while lying here in bed. Now I feel terrible.
  • Rita Wozniak Rita Wozniak on Jun 21, 2014
    I try to buy artifical plants that look close to the real thing.. for early spring.. If the birds nest there no biggy.. then put hanging real flowers after the babies fly away too.. THE ONLY BIRDS that smell are the ones that eat road kill.. ect.. so if a nest falls out or you need to move it Place it where mom and dad will be flying in to check there babies and fed if need be.I have had bird( robin) trying to make nest on top of the pillars on my porch.. when they do i keep taking out the nest.. before they get it made completely.. have to keep at it.. if it was left where they had put it it would have blown out since it was a slick area.. and wouldnt want any little birds to get hurt.
  • Glenda Thompson Glenda Thompson on Jun 21, 2014
    You might have wrens they like to nest under roofs so hanging baskets,door wreaths, ledges,will attract them they will nest in bird houses also. I found that if the soil and plants are at the top of baskets they don't like it, one was night roosting in a basket on my porch digging out the dirt and laying on top of the plants they will scratch out a small indention to be below the rim, scattering dirt every where. I put bubble wrap around the plant and held it down to the dirt with nails leaving some up high the birds didn't like and moved on any thing laying in the pot they can't move will keep them out.these birds will nest on a ledge under a deck,in a cardboard box ,old shoes, they tried last year to nest in our trucks grille .!! Just watch and move out the nest when they start working in the spring and they will give up also try to offer other nesting sites and your front porch and door might be saved from unwanted guests.
  • Bonnie Spielman Bonnie Spielman on Jun 23, 2014
    I hang strips of foil or foil pans or noisey wind chimes on my porch and around my garden. Them seem to stay away from them. It is not sanitary to have bird poop all around where you can carry it into your house on shoes. And when there are eggs or babies the mommas will dive bomb intruders.
  • Linda B Linda B on Jun 23, 2014
    get a cat to live on your porch. Make sure it is one that will chase the birds of your porch. I do not like to see when one of my cats get a bird. But mostly the birds stay away.
  • Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Jun 24, 2014
    Your not alone about birds nesting in strange places. We have robins nesting in our porch light. I leave the top cover nuts off as its close to the overhang and difficult to take them off and on when the light burns out. Well these little buggers pushed the cover off and filled the entire lamp with nesting materials. So much so, I have no idea on how they get in and out of it. It keeps hanging down the sides of the lamp so I keep cutting the extra off. The babies will be leaving soon which is when I will remove the nest and seal the top. If the babies have hatched or there are no eggs in the nest, pull it out and clean things up. You may want to reconsider the door decor so they do not become attracted to the area.
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Mar 30, 2016
    You've likely got English Sparrows - they are very happy to co-habit with people and do so very successfully in urban areas (they are the ones you see in parking lots eating squashed bugs off of car grills). Clear the nesting material daily until they "get the hint". As much as I love having birds nesting on my property, along with the feces they will also leave lice, etc., and it is best to keep them away from openings to your home.
  • Marilyn OylerY Marilyn OylerY on Jul 11, 2016
    I had a similar problem - they loved my hanging baskets even though the geraniums in them were fake! Duval is right, but just remove the wreath itself. Why not hang some small baskets in the trees or some other sheltered area that is not near an entryway? They love the shelter, regardless of the season, and will use birdhouses and other forms of shelter all season long. They love to nest under our (2nd story) deck.
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on May 23, 2023

    String some monofilament fishing line over the wreath, criss-crossing it so they can't build a nest.
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GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Gina Garbo Gina Garbo Answered on Apr 11, 2024

Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more

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Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
Dianne King Dianne King Answered on Jan 29, 2024

My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?

q how do i get my marigolds to bloom
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Growing garlic
Decor&Dine Decor&Dine Answered on Jan 01, 2024

Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.

growing garlic, gardening
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How to keep mice out of your garden?
Debra Debra Answered on Sep 22, 2023

Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more

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What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
Susan Susan Answered on Apr 12, 2024

I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.

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Can someone tell me what kind of animal this was in my yard?
Rita C. - Panoply Rita C. - Panoply Answered on Feb 16, 2024

I thought maybe a rabbit was burrowing in my yard, but it's almost dead center of my lawn (not a very smart rabbit). The hole is not very deep, and I replanted it onc... See more

can someone tell me what kind of animal this was in my yard, The rabbit hole and fur flying
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Is Creeping Charlie in your lawn a good thing or a bad thing?
Mary Sullivan Mary Sullivan Answered on Apr 12, 2024

Is there a sure-fire way to get rid of Creeping Charley?

is creeping charlie in your lawn a good thing or a bad thing, For years I have pulled it out by hand but it comes back faster than I can pull it
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