As a homeowner, you want to do what you can to protect your property from residential pests and rodents. When you think of pests, though, you might not consider birds. Despite that, bird control in California is very important because these animals can be very harmful to your property. Let’s take a closer look at the harm that birds of California can cause to your property if you don’t keep them under control. Here are common questions homeowners may have about bird nests affecting their property:
Can Bird Droppings Cause Damage?
When people think of bird droppings, they typically think of how unsightly they are. However, they’re more than just an eyesore. They contain uric acid, which can dissolve the materials that most residential homes are made from over time. Thus, these droppings can lead to stains and water leaks in areas that are covered in them.
Can Bird Nests Cause Drainage Issues?
Birds love to build nests in inconvenient locations for homeowners. These would include:
- Gutters
- Chimneys
- Light Fixtures
- Downspouts
- Sheltered locations in buildings
In some locations, the nests prevent water from draining properly from your roof. As a result, water can back up onto your roof, causing damage to the underlayment. It can cause water to flow over the gutters too, bypassing the downspouts. Without the gutters doing their job, the overflow can cause foundation damage.
Not only can bird nests clog your gutters and cause roof damage, but they can block ventilation, including ducts, chimneys and roof vents. In certain situations, the nests can prevent chimneys from properly dispersing carbon monoxide, which puts you and your family at risk.
Can Bird Nests Cause Fires?
Nothing is more devastating to a homeowner than a house fire. Unfortunately, bird feathers and the materials that they use for their nests are extremely flammable. Without bird control, these pests can build nests all over your home, putting you at greater risk of a house fire. When removing birds from your property, the nests should go as well to reduce the risk of fire.
Can Birds Cause Roof Damage?
Like squirrels, birds spend a lot of time on your roof. Although they aren’t as damaging as squirrels, bird claws can damage roofing materials, especially asphalt shingles. The claw marks prevent the shingles from doing their job.
Along with this, birds love to carry seeds and other vegetation around. Oftentimes, seeds get caught in gutters and eventually sprout. Because of this factor, the gutters won’t drain properly, and the roots can even damage the gutters themselves.
Will Birds Mess with Outdoor Equipment?
As with the rest of your house, any outdoor machinery isn’t safe from bird damage. Everything from your vehicles to your HVAC unit is at risk. It’s not uncommon for machinery to need regular maintenance, but they might need extra maintenance if you have a lot of birds nesting on your property. In terms of vehicles, the biggest thing to worry about is the paint job. The uric acid in bird droppings can eat through the paint. With enough droppings on your car, you could need a new paint job.
Should You Implement Bird Control on Your Property?
The choice is ultimately up to you, but the damage that birds cause can cost you a lot of money. Even if you have just a small bird problem, you should focus on DIY solutions or call a professional before the problem gets out of control. Birds tend to attract other birds, so a single family can slowly grow into a flock if you aren’t careful.
O’Connor Pest Control Is Here to Help
Are you looking for bird control services in California? At O’Connor Pest Control, we offer bird control services that you can count on. We proudly serve Ventura County and Santa Barbara County.