What You Can Do to Keep Birds From Nesting in Your Porch Eaves

Once birds decide your porch eaves are the perfect nesting spot, it’s hard to get them to stop. They leave droppings everywhere, drag in mess, and might even block vents or lights. And if they lay eggs, now you’ve got to wait before removing the nest.

The key is stopping them before they settle in—and making the space too inconvenient to bother.

Block Off Nesting Spots With Hardware Cloth

Birds love those cozy, sheltered eaves, especially if there’s a little lip or ledge to perch on. Cover any open gaps or ledges with hardware cloth or wire mesh. Make sure it’s secured tightly so they can’t squeeze in behind it or pull it loose later.

Use Angled Trim or Metal Flashing

Adding angled trim or a strip of metal flashing where they usually try to perch makes it harder for them to land. They want flat, steady ledges—if it’s angled or slick, they’ll usually give up and find a better spot. It doesn’t take much to throw them off their plan.

Keep the Porch Lights Off at Night

Light attracts bugs, and bugs attract birds looking for an easy meal. If you leave porch lights on all night, you’re giving them another reason to hang around. Try switching to motion lights or using yellow bulbs that don’t attract insects as much.

Hang Strips or Reflective Tape Temporarily

Birds don’t like unexpected movement or shiny flashes. Hanging up mylar tape, wind chimes, or even old CDs near their favorite spots can spook them enough to move on. It’s not a permanent fix, but it can buy you time to get something sturdier in place.

Clean Out Old Nests Right Away

If they’ve built a nest before, they’ll come back to the same spot year after year. Once nesting season is over and it’s legal to do so, clear out anything left behind and sanitize the area. Don’t let last year’s mess signal that it’s still a safe spot to return to.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.