A bird is trying to build a nest right next to my front door! What should I do to make it stop?

Hi. I had the same problem, and since I have an indoor/outdoor cat, I didn't want him to eat the new baby birds if and when they hatched. Gross! Sooooo, here's TWO solutions for you, for two different times this happened:

(1) I removed the nest, sprayed off the area with cleaner and water to remove her scent, and placed something large enough in that same spot so she can't build there again this season. It can be a small piece of lightweight statuary, a rock, a block of wood... you get the point. You might want to secure it with a dab of glue from a glue gun though, after the surface is clean and dry. (Just DON'T use anything "cushy" like real or fake greenery that will be attractive to nest building.) When spring is over you can take your deterrent away. Anything secured with a glue gun will pop right off.

Or you could try this one....

(2) I waited for the nest-building to be complete - but before the eggs were laid - then very gently scooped up the nest... WITH GLOVES ON .... and relocated it very close by to a shrub. (This can work for a birdhouse too, if you can place the nest inside.) Then I sprayed a strong cleaner on the area that she had previously been building in and washed it down with the hose. Mom returned, sniffed around a bit, found the NEW nest site, was happy, and so was I. You've GOT to remember those gloves though, so you don't "scent" her nest, or she may just try to come back to your door or other spot on your porch.

Oh - also, DON'T remove their nests from the shrubs/trees or birdhouses when they're done for the year. They usually come back to the same spot next year, so maybe you won't have to mess with this next year!

Both of these are really quick and easy, and they both worked for me. One was for the type with the stick-built nest, the other for the spun pinestraw.

Good luck.... T

We have birds called Mud Daubers who can be a pest. I finally just let them finish their nest and then washed it away with a garden hose. I love birds but it's dangerous and messy when they try and take over my patio. If you literally cannot open your door with the nest there, or you feel that you'd be constantly disturbing the mother by going in and out, then this rather harsh method may be your only choice; short of getting a cat.

she's prolly still taking care of them cuz a baby bird would die within 2days without food from the mommy that and it's not as easy as you'd think to take care of baby birds, i have attempted to foster and care for at least 10different baby birds under the influence of a professional wildlife expert and every single 1 still died thru all of the hard work the babies will be okay with the smoke cuz honestly, the oxygen and air that surrounds us on this earth is gross and polluted! so they will be okay i'd just leave em, and even if the mom did abandon them, it's the circle of life

Put fake snakes in front or around the entrance

POOR

BIRDIE

for the sake of the robin can you just let it have its kids?