How Do I Detour Robins From Nesting On My House?
As long as they have not laid any eggs yet, you can keep destroying their nest. As soon as the first egg is laid, you are stuck with them. In the US, all native migratory birds are protected under federal law (Migratory Bird Treaty Act), and it is illegal to disturb an active nest (one with eggs in it). Penalties for violating this law include fines of up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail for each offense Ammonia and other strong odors will not deter a bird, since birds do not have an acute sense of smell. You can use old CDs or aluminum pie plates tied from the shutters with bright colored ribbon – do not use fishing line, as birds can get tangled in that and be fatally injured. The bright objects, twirling in the breeze, should scare them off. You can also criss-cross ribbon over the area they are using for nesting, creating a barrier. Birds protecting their nesting area can be very agressive, and I understand that your son is beginning to fear them. Assure him that they are just
