How to Install Bird Stoppers in the Eaves of a House

Watching and feeding birds is a pleasurable pastime for many homeowners, but birds can become pests when they roost in large numbers and build nests on homes and other buildings. Disease organisms growing in accumulations of bird droppings pose human health risks. Bird droppings also are corrosive and can deface buildings, car finishes, metal trim, steps and sidewalks. Bird nests and feathers can clog downspouts and vents. Netting is the most common type of bird stopper material used to keep bird nests out of house eaves.

Rubber gloves
Hardware clips or staple gun
Measuring tape
1/4- to 1/2-inch bird netting
Poly hardware seam fasteners

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the eaves, removing old bird nests and other debris. Wear rubber gloves to avoid contamination from bird droppings.
- 2
  Install hardware clips every 12 inches along the edge of the roof and every 12 inches along the side of the house just below the eave. The hardware clips along the roof edge will enclose the bottom of the bird netting, and the clips on the side of the house will enclose the top of the bird netting.
  
  An alternate method is to use staples from a staple gun to secure the bird netting to the roof and side of the house. If you plan to use a staple gun, don't put staples in the roof edge or side of the house before Step 3.
- 3
  Attach 1/4- to 1/2-inch bird netting to the hardware clips you installed, or use a staple gun to attach the bird netting to the house with staples. If using hardware clips, attach the netting to the hardware clips you placed along the roof edge, and then roll the netting downward and attach it to the hardware clips you placed along the side of the house. Finish the enclosure by cutting out netting to enclose the sides. Overlap the side netting to the roof and below the eave by 6 inches. Use that attachment method as a guide if you use a staple gun.
- 4
  Connect overlapped netting with poly hardware seam fasteners. Overlap net seams by 6 inches.
- 5
  Check that the installed netting is free of gaps and openings that could allow birds inside. Cover gaps and openings as needed.

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