What damage can swallows cause?
A. Swallow droppings are unattractive and cause deterioration of the surfaces of buildings and automobiles. The droppings can burn lawns and planting areas and damage crops. When swallows nest on a building the waste of nests-mud, feathers and bugs-can get sucked into the ventilation system, creating health and safety hazards. The mites and other insects carried by swallows often penetrate houses and commercial buildings, biting humans and pets. Swallow droppings around buildings are not only unattractive, but make sidewalks and other areas slick and dangerous for falls and injuries. Birds are not clean and the smell can be very unpleasant. During the natural course of things, birds die either as adults or nestlings and attract parasites, insects and maggots.
