Swallows are true flight artists because they eat, drink and sleep while flying. There are numerous myths surrounding our feathered friends. But they are not always welcome, even though they provide valuable services.
How to keep swallows from nesting?
To keep swallows away, you can hang colorful wind chimes at nesting sites once breeding season is over. This can scare the birds away and cause them to choose another place to nest.
Why do swallows breed near me?
The birds need moist clay as building material. Since this is becoming rarer in sealed urban areas, they are switching to new development areas. In the excavation pits they find large amounts of the required substrate. If the animals are breeding on your property, this indicates good feeding conditions. Swallows are extremely useful building breeders because they catch insects such as annoying mosquitoes or spiders. As their living conditions are increasingly deteriorating, you should consider yourself lucky to have a colony of swallows.
Swallows are hygienic
Swallows are clean animals that keep their nests clean. The parents initially carry their offspring's feces out of the nest. As the young birds get older, they dispose of their waste themselves over the edge of the nest.
Destroying nests prohibited
Many of those affected remove the nests out of anger and pay no attention to young birds or eggs. Since swallows are protected in Germany, such measures are prohibited. The success does not last long, because the species are considered to be loyal to their location and will build a new nest in the same place in the next breeding season.
The Lower Nature Conservation Authority is the first point of contact when it comes to the unavoidable relocation of swallow colonies or defense. If there are valid reasons, they can grant an exemption.
Avoid fecal contamination
In order to protect the house facade and paving stones from bird droppings, installing a board under the nest colonies helps. Build a 25 centimeter wide shelter directly on the wall at a distance of 60 centimeters from the nest so that the droppings do not contaminate balconies and terraces as well as windows and doors. If you are unable to attach a wooden device, you can stretch an awning (€16.00 on Amazon) directly below the colony. This can be easily sprayed and cleaned with a jet of water.
Tip
If you can't get along with your feathered neighbors, try colorful wind chimes. Hang these at the nesting sites when the breeding season is over.
