Title: How to Get Rid of Robins and Keep Them Away Robins are charming birds, famous for their bright red breasts and melodious songs. While delightful to watch, they can become a nuisance when nesting around your home, potentially causing damage and mess. This blog post will guide you through identifying robins, understanding why they nest near your area, and effective methods to remove them. We’ll also explore how long you might need to wait before removing a nest and preventive steps to keep robins at bay.
How To Identify Robins
Spotting a robin is relatively straightforward due to their distinctive features. American Robins have a bright reddish-orange breast, a grey back, and a yellow bill. They are around 10 inches in length with a wingspan of about 14 to 16 inches. Males typically have a more vivid coloration than females, especially during the breeding season. Their song is another easy identifier. Robins sing a series of melodious phrases repeated in a “cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily” pattern. They are most vocal during the early morning and late afternoon, making their presence known around your property.
Signs & Causes of Robins Nesting Near Your Home
If robins are nesting near your home, you’ll likely notice several signs. Look for nests made of twigs, grass, and mud in sheltered areas like eaves, ledges, or dense shrubs. Another indication is the frequent presence of robins flying to and from a specific area. Several factors may attract robins to your vicinity. Proximity to food sources like lawns with worms and insects, fruiting trees, or bird feeders can make your home a target. Additionally, the availability of water sources such as birdbaths or ponds and safe nesting spots can encourage robins to settle in your area.
How To Get Rid of Robins
To get rid of robins humanely, you need to make the environment less appealing. Start by removing food sources, which means securing trash bags, removing fallen fruit, and managing insects and worms on your lawn. Bird feeders should also be emptied or removed temporarily. Scaring robins away is another effective technique. Using visual deterrents like shiny objects, pinwheels, or aluminum foil can unsettle them. Auditory deterrents like predator calls or ultrasonic devices can also be effective. If a robin’s nest is active, with eggs or chicks, it’s illegal in many places to disturb it due to wildlife protection laws. Wait until the birds have left before safely removing the nest.
How Long Until I Can Get Rid of a Robin’s Nest
Nest removal should be done at the appropriate time to ensure compliance with wildlife laws and to avoid harm to the birds. It is legal to remove a nest after the breeding season is finished. Typically, a robin’s breeding season lasts from early spring to mid-summer. Once the young robins (fledglings) have left, the nest can be removed. It usually takes about 14 days for robin eggs to hatch and another 13 days for fledglings to leave the nest. Therefore, monitor the nest for fledging activity before taking any actions to remove it.
How To Keep Robins Away
To keep robins away for the long term, consider making your property less inviting. Install bird netting or spikes in areas where they are likely to nest, like eaves and ledges. Maintain your garden by trimming overgrown shrubbery and trees, keeping grass short, and removing any standing water to discourage insects. This reduces potential food and nesting sites. Also, covering fruit-bearing trees and bushes with mesh can prevent robins from returning. Lastly, continue using visual and auditory deterrents as precautionary measures. Regularly move or change these deterrents’ placement to prevent the birds from becoming accustomed to them.
Final Thoughts
Addressing a robin problem requires a blend of understanding their habits and utilizing humane deterrent methods. Start by identifying the birds and signs of nesting activity. Modify the environment to reduce attractiveness and use deterrents for immediate relief. Remember to follow laws related to nest removal and take preventive steps to avoid future issues. This comprehensive approach ensures you deal with the robin problem effectively while maintaining ethical standards and contributing positively to wildlife conservation. Below is a summary of the key steps.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify Robins | Look for red breast, grey back, and yellow bill. Listen for melodious phrases in their song. |
| 2. Recognize Nesting Signs | Spot nests in sheltered areas, frequent robin activity, and proximity to food sources. |
| 3. Immediate Deterrents | Remove food sources, use visual and auditory deterrents. Ensure legality before removing nests. |
| 4. Nest Removal Timing | Wait until after breeding season. Ensure fledglings have vacated—typically 27 days from laying eggs. |
| 5. Long-Term Prevention | Use bird netting/spikes, maintain the garden, remove standing water, and continue deterrents. |
