Birds have built a nest in our front door wreath - what to do???

Mrs.G123 · April 2011

We noticed that there is a full-on nest in our front door wreath! The wreath is on an over the door hook so it isn't going anywhere, but we can't use the back door to enter the house so I am worried that they will lay eggs and we will be jostling them on a daily basis. Help! WWYD? I think that they are swallows but am unsure. Thanks!

Sydney02 · April 2011

We have birds that do that every year. I love it! If there are eggs, don't worry. The babies will hatch and grow so fast. Before you know it, they're gone.

But it can be a pain if you only use your front door to go in and out. Try moving the next to a new location. It's not true that if you touch a bird's nest that they won't use it anymore. Maybe there is someplace on the front porch not too far from the front door that you can put the nest?

TacoriLover · April 2011

Just leave them be and don't use the front door (if you can help it). We've had this happen for the past three springs and I loved it although I did have to throw out the wreath eventually.

katie4253 · April 2011

If eggs haven't been laid yet you can pull out the next. If they have, please leave them be and make sure not to use the door as much as possible.

Birds try to build nests in our grill every year. H wanted to let them stay, but I was worried our dogs would kill the birds, so I pulled out the nests (4 times actually) before they gave up and went somewhere else.

BeanieWeanie · April 2011

Not sure if it's the same in every state, but it might be law that you have to leave them alone. We had a duck come and nest in the playground when I was a teacher and we weren't allowed to use the playground for like 3 weeks while the duck sat on the eggs and then once the chicks were born until they all skidaddled of their own accord.

Mrs.G123 · April 2011

Unfortunately we have to use the front door exclusively as the back door is a slider without an exterior lock

We will be gentle with the door and hopefully the birds will be okay.

xmaryrickx · May 2011

If they haven't already laid eggs, I would get rid of the nest before they have a chance. If they do lay/hatch eggs they can get pretty protective and nasty. We used to have them nest by our backdoor and they would dive bomb if you opened the door. It was loads of fun. Not to mention, does the door open into the house? If so you are almost 100% going to have a bird flying into your house at some point. Not so fun.