Sparrow Control: How To Get Rid of Sparrows

This page is a general sparrow control guide. Using the products and methods suggested, you will get control of sparrows. Follow this guide and use the recommended products to get control of sparrows. Consult your local and state guidelines to see if your species of sparrows is protected in your location before applying control.

Sparrows may be pleasant for bird watchers to look at from afar, but up close, especially around your home and yard, they can become an irritating problem. The sparrow is a plump bird that can destroy gardens and flower beds and set up nests around your home or property.

Sparrows are also notorious for weaseling their way into openings in the home and making nests in crevices of structures, such as dryer vents, attic vents, sheds, barns, and chimneys. Once they have found a place they enjoy, they will begin to swarm the area in large numbers.

If a sparrow infestation on your property has plagued you, we can show you how to get rid of sparrows effectively. Read our DIY sparrow control guide below for products and expert methods to keep sparrows away. 

Identification

Before you can carry out a treatment program to get rid of sparrows, you must be certain that you are dealing with a sparrow and not some other creature or bird. Misidentification can lead you to use the wrong treatment products, which will result in a waste of time and money. Here are some defining characteristics of Sparrows so you know what they look like for easy identification.

• Sparrows are small birds, usually measuring about 5 to 6.7 inches.
• They have light brown or tan bodies with wings that might have dark or black streaks (but color can change depending on the species).
• They have a round head and are relatively chunky compared to more slender birds.
• Sparrows can damage buildings and homes with excessive droppings, which can potentially transfer disease. Their droppings are acidic and damage paint, metal, and structures.
• They are usually found near human activity. In cities, urban, and suburban settings, they can nest and perch on the cracks and crevices of buildings. They are also less commonly found near farms and more rural settings.

Use the description and image above to help you properly identify sparrows on your property. If you are not sure, contact us, and we will try to assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with sparrows, you will need to inspect the areas where sparrows nest or perch in or outside your home. During the inspection, you will search for these areas in your home and find where you need to apply treatment.

Where To Inspect

Sparrows are notorious for building inside and outside, so start your inspection indoors. Inside your home, inspect attics and the cracks and crevices in these spaces. Also, look at wall voids, cracks, and crevices near the ceiling.

Outdoors, search your buildings near the roof, eaves, soffits, fascias, rain gutters, window sills, vents, and around and inside chimneys. If you have a commercial building, look inside signage, awnings, and the edges of roofs.

What To Look For

You're looking for sparrows, their nests, and their perching sites. If you can spot the birds on your property, grab binoculars and inspect their flight patterns, find the cracks and crevices they might use as nesting sites and where they perch. After you have discovered the places where they consistently perch or where their nests are located, this is where you will apply treatment.

Treatment

Once you have discovered sparrow activity, it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

To get rid of sparrows, we recommend applying 4 The Birds Repellent Gel and Bird Flite, Bird Control Spikes, to deter Sparrows from perching on or near your home.

Step 1: Apply 4 The Birds Repellent Gel

4 The Birds is a repellent gel that can be applied directly to edges, window sills, and anywhere where birds perch. If you have found the nest, protect your mouth, nose, and hands before removing it, and consult your state and local guidelines if possible.

To use this product, you will need a Caulking Gun. Typically, you'll want to apply 1/2 an inch wide and 1/2 an inch high beads. Apply along window sills, roof edges, awnings, and wherever sparrows have been nesting or perching. Read the label for complete application instructions. Usually, one application will last for up to one year to keep sparrows away.

Step 2: Bird Flite Bird Control Spikes 

The Bird Flite Bird Control Spikes are a set of durable plastic spikes that physically impede Sparrows from nesting or perching in the areas they are applied. 

You can place them in use sites, by using screws and nails (the product comes with pre-made holes for easy application) or by using strong adhesive glue to keep them in place. You'll want to apply them in all the perching sites you have observed. The bird spikes come in 1-foot lengths, but you can also cut them in half to fit into smaller use sites.

Prevention

After sparrows have left your property, you'll need to modify your environment to make it less suitable for sparrows so they don't return.

• Start by sealing, repairing, or closing any cracks and crevices found on the outside of your property. Repair rain gutters and add screening to chimneys and vents. Add Stuff-Fit Copper mesh to cracks and crevices too big to close off. Do your absolute best to eliminate all the cracks, crevices, and voids in your home. If your property sees high foot traffic and food, like farms, parks, fairs, etc., get rid of any bird feeders or create "do not feed" signs on your property, which will eliminate their food source.
• Finally, keeping up with a periodic pest control application of Supreme IT will kill the insects in your home or property, which will eliminate another food source for sparrows.

Key Takeaways

What Are Sparrows?

• Sparrows are small birds that like to live close to human dwellings to create nests and perches.
• Sparrows prefer nesting in manmade structures such as building walls or eaves, street lights, and nest boxes. While sparrows mainly eat plants and seeds, some young birds may prefer to feed on insects, especially after hatching.

How To Get Rid of Sparrows

• We recommend using 4 The Birds Repellent Gel and Bird Flite Bird Control Spikes to keep sparrows away from your property. These repellants are used to make sparrow roosting locations uncomfortable.

Preventing Sparrow Reinfestation

• Prevent future invasions of sparrows by reducing places where they can easily perch and remove insects around the home so they don't have a food source to enjoy.
• Apply Supreme IT Insecticide around the perimeter of your home to reduce the insect population and remove a sparrow food source.