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Problems caused by Welcome Swallows roosting | FF0010 |
Ian Temby, Flora and Fauna Branch
June, 2003 |  |
Problem
Welcome Swallows roost, often in large numbers, in warehouses and sheds, where faeces foul machinery, stored goods and people. Welcome Swallows may also nest or roost on verandahs, ledges or in other sites where faeces may create a nuisance or health hazard.
Figure 1. Welcome Swallows roosting in warehouse
Figure 2. Welcome Swallow faeces on stored product
Background
Swallows typically roost and nest in sheltered sites, such as under bridges, under eaves, in cavities of large trees and in caves. Open sheds provide an acceptable alternative roosting site for the swallows.
Solutions
- Prevent access to roosting sites by:
- Closing doors one hour before sunset. They may be re-opened one hour after sunset.
- Hanging plastic strips in doorways.
- Hanging netting below the rafters
- Placing a perching repellant on perches
- Stretching fishing line two to three centimetres above the beams used for perching.
- Stringing parallel 35 kg breaking strain nylon monofilament lines below the roost sites, at 12 cm intervals. For example, if the roof is supported by I-beams, and the swallows are roosting on the beams or on smaller structures above the beams, then the nylon lines can be attached to the bottom of the beams. Large warehouses have been protected at low cost by this means.
- Installing fans to create air currents which will make the area unsuitable as a roost site.
- Ensuring that all gaps in skylights and roof are blocked.
- Prevent nesting by:
- Removing nests as they are built, but before the eggs are laid. Petroleum jelly (e.g.VaselineR) or similar greasy materials may inhibit the attachment of nesting material to vertical surfaces.
- Placing a tennis ball in each completed nest to prevent egg-laying and to prevent re-nesting at that site.
- Install a platform beneath nests or roosts to catch droppings.
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