Swallows thinking of nesting in my garage

NIMAN · 08-05-2026 08:27PM #1

So the other day I opened the garage door in the morning and 2 birds flew out. Thought nothing much of it.

Then it happened the next day as well, so out the door down and noticed them flying by for about half an hour, perhaps trying to get back in?

Last night when I went into the garage at night to clean up and put the car in, the 2 were sitting up on top of the rafters/lights. Tried to schoo them out, but wouldn't leave so left them for the night.

Now have to keep the door down during the day as I don't want them building a nest and having the leave the door up for the next couple of months! I don't see any evidence of nest building so far.

A Google search says they are likely Barn Swallows.

laros · 08-05-2026 08:55PM

Have you a small window that can be left open to allow them access..? a friend had the same issue but left the winow open and the had no problem flying through it … it was actually amazing watching them fly through and up to the nests….. where are you based… ?

Deregos. · 08-05-2026 09:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058438311/swallows-thinking-of-nesting-in-my-garage

Would an ultrasonic bird repeller be worth a shot?

NIMAN · 08-05-2026 09:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454138#Comment_124454138

There is a side window which in reality doesn't really close properly! So maybe they used that?

Time will tell as I'll be keeping the door down from now on, so will see if they manage to get in via the window.

I prefer not to have them in there tbh, there is usually a car parked under them all night. I take it overnight would be a period of sleep for them? They wouldn't be flying around the garage anyway?

steinbock123 · 08-05-2026 09:09PM

Get rid or it’ll be bird sh1t everywhere.

Not good for car paintwork.

NIMAN · 08-05-2026 09:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454188#Comment_124454188

Yip, that's my main concern, as well as it all over the garage itself, my garden furniture, my strimmer, lawnmower.....

Jim_Hodge · 08-05-2026 09:10PM

Same issue here every year. If even the side door is left ajar they fly in. I just keep the doors and windows closed at this time of year.

laros · 08-05-2026 09:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454190#Comment_124454190

Swallows tend to spend most of the time outdoors on the wing …. we have house martins around the house and sometimes have swallows over the front door ….have never noticed a large build up of bird **** ,,,, swallows are on the amber list in ireland …. would you not give them a chance to nest… ? they have made a journey from southern africa… thousand of miles…. fair play to them ….especially given there size…. also they help keep the flies and midges under control…. 😊

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 08:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454261#Comment_124454261

If they wanted to nest under my eaves I would have no issue, but not in my garage I'm afraid, it isn't practical. Would mean I would have to leave the door up when we are away to work. Not happening.

puntosporting · 09-05-2026 08:42AM

hang a few old cds around from bits of string for a few weeks might scare them off for the season.

Nugget89 · 09-05-2026 08:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454784#Comment_124454784

Are you 100% sure there's no nest? It's a little late in the season already so it may be too late to stop them. If they're insisting on trying to get in there's a good chance that the eggs are laid or hatched and they need to get to them.

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 08:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454795#Comment_124454795

I didn't see any nest on my first quick look, I'll do a proper reccie today and get a good look.

There definitely was no nest up on the lights and rafters where I photographed them sitting. Unless they could have made a nest at a lower level? Would they have done it at ground level at all?

It's a tightly packed garage, lot of stuff in it and a lot of little nooks at lower level.

Nugget89 · 09-05-2026 09:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454797#Comment_124454797

I would think it would be high, but with the size of their nests it could be hard to spot.

You might be alright, but I was in the same situation just a few days ago with starlings. Closed the door, but they kept trying to get in. I couldn't spot a nest from the ground, but I stayed in there for a while. When the starlings flew back in and up to the rafters I could hear the hatchings calling for food. So I've had to leave them at it.

dp22250 · 09-05-2026 09:14AM

They will make a nest anywhere, a neighbour have one nesting on one of his quad bikes.

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 09:24AM

Ok, time to do a double check then!

wildwillow · 09-05-2026 09:30AM

Unfortunately they will make a terrible mess. They used to nest in my old garden shed and while it was lovely to see the fledglings being fed and grow, the clean up was difficult. I ended up taking lots of tools and propagation equipment to the garage while they were in residence. They also built under the eaves of the house and again everywhere was covered in droppings. The front porch was a no go area.
I think loose soil in the garden and a water source in the pond was part of the attraction. I did love watching them scoop up water for building.

My new house has a bird proof shed.

billyhead · 09-05-2026 09:34AM

They are terrible with droppings. I had them nesting in my eave of the house before and they messed up the path with droppings.

mrcheez · 09-05-2026 09:40AM

Put a wire mesh covering the open window? Will allow air in and nothing else

Deub · 09-05-2026 09:46AM

My neighbour had the same issue in his garage. He suspended a wood plank under the nest and no more issue with droppings.

Jim_Hodge · 09-05-2026 09:52AM

They certainly haven't started nesting in this area yet. It's always at least mid may before they begin here. Those birds are looking for a potential nesting site at this stage.

dp22250 · 09-05-2026 09:55AM

Rather than fight it maybe you could buy or build a bird house and place it where suit you.

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 09:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454905#Comment_124454905

Yeah, had a good look around the garage, can see no signs of any building work yet. They must just have been on a recon mission.

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 10:00AM

I had 3, now 2, birdhouses attached to trees around my property for about 6 years now.

Only ever seen one of them used one year. Rest of the time, nothing. I think it was tits that used it, so perhaps it's too small for other species?

geographica · 09-05-2026 10:23AM

they are very persistent

they are also protected by law (when nesting) afaik

Come all the way from South Africa, usually back to the same nest year on year

Magnificent birds, but can be a nuisance with their poo in the wrong place

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 10:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454961#Comment_124454961

There are loads of them around where I live, and I know the neighbours have been tortured with their nests and dirt.

I have never been bothered as I don't have deep enough eaves for them to nest under.

Tbh I wouldn't mind a nest around the house. Dirt can always be power washed after the event, but in my garage simply isn't convenient.

Jim_Hodge · 09-05-2026 11:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124454920#Comment_124454920

I have 8 nest boxes and all in use. Great Tits, Blue Tits and House Sparrows use them. They need to be facing north or north east and about 2 meters high.

Cluedo Monopoly · 09-05-2026 11:12AM

I think it's bad luck to knock or disrupt a swallow's nest.

But the car paintwork should be your absolute priority in life.

Leg End Reject · 09-05-2026 01:23PM

I used to have two nests under the eaves of my previous house. I just folded a black sack under the nest, weighed it down at the corners with bricks and changed it as needed. The droppings were under the nest so it wasn't a huge issue.

The roof in my current house doesn't have eaves and I miss seeing them every summer. Still get bird droppings, many bigger than a swallow's.

NIMAN · 09-05-2026 03:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124455057#Comment_124455057

Will bear this in mind, I didn't know this. Thanks.

amber2 · 09-05-2026 03:25PM

something like this somewhere outside the garage might work.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0037YHTMS?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8BH5NT9EJ5RZQ265B586_2&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8BH5NT9EJ5RZQ265B586_2&social_share=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8BH5NT9EJ5RZQ265B586_2

amber2 · 09-05-2026 03:26PM

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Swallows thinking of nesting in my garage

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