Problem House Martins

House Martin

HOUSE MARTINS

Most people welcome house martins, some say that when the martins arrive , it suggests a early summer ,but the birds can occasionally be a problem, for instance if a nest is above a door and there are dropping on the floors .

House martins have a number of parasites such as feather mites, in most cases harmless to them. These parasites do not affect people, but can be a nuisance if a nest is just above a window.

Parasites can be deterred from leaving the nest with pyrethrum on the outside of the nest: be careful not to get any in the nest hole.

These conflict areas can be isolated by closing in the triangle under the eaves where the nests are built with a piece of wood, but if nests are under the soffits and are above bedroom windows, then a fine mesh wire or parallel wires stretching from the outer edge of the soffit board to .15 cm down the wall or bird spikes will deter birds from nesting in these areas .

Do not deny martins access to parts of the roof where their presence does not create a problem. Never put these deterrents in position to prevent access to an ACTIVE NEST , ie contain eggs or live young chicks , and only remove existing nests, if essential, during the WINTER MONTHS when the martins are not in residence.

As mentioned earlier , there are strict rules regarding the removal , or restrictions of birds to there nests , please be so kind as to follow these rules.

Knocking down an ACTIVE NEST or preventing birds access to their eggs or young is illegal and attracts potentially high penalties.

House martins have a number of parasites such as feather mites, in most cases harmless to them. These parasites do not affect people, but can be a nuisance if a nest is just above a window.

Parasites can be deterred from leaving the nest with pyrethrum on the outside of the nest: be careful not to get any in the nest hole.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/

https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/h/housemartin/