Local Service, Family Owned

Local Service, Family Owned

Call Us Today Emergency After Hours

Call Us Today
Emergency After Hours

Swallows

Colour: Male – blue and white Female – brown and grey
Size: 12 to 15 cm
Wingspan: 30 cm

Swallows are migratory birds that become territorial. Their mud nests which they establish under eaves and in corners of structures can cause staining and damage to structures. Corrosive feces, which can contain bacteria and disease, typically smears the sides of buildings by their nests. Before a swallow infestation becomes uncontrollable, it is important to have a plan.

Swallow Habitat

Barn Swallows forage in open areas throughout most of the continent, including suburban parks and ball fields, agricultural fields, beaches, and over open water such as lakes, ponds and coastal waters. They range from sea level up to 10,000 feet. Breeding habitat must include open areas for foraging, structures or cliffs to build nests on, and a source of mud such as a riverbank to provide the material for building nests.

Swallow Life Cycle

Barn swallows form breeding pairs in the spring, when they return to their breeding grounds. Barn swallows often mate in the air. Both parents build the nest. The female lays four to six eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. The eggs take around two weeks to hatch and the chicks fledge when they are about three weeks old. The parents continue to feed the chicks for up to a week after they fledge. The female may have two broods a year. The same pair may mate for several years.

Swallow Prevention

Remove old barn swallows’ nests once they are vacant are. Thoroughly clean all feathers and droppings with a cleaning solution. Add a coat of fresh paint over areas to be treated smooth surfaces make it harder for swallows to attach nests to. Remove all old nests from unwanted surfaces so they cannot be reused.

Swallow Service Prep Guide

There are many things that should be done to prepare for a bird treatment. For the full list of ways to make your swallow treatment successful, view our Bird Service Preparation Guide.

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Greenshield Pest Control is a family business that has been providing exceptional pest control services for more than 30 years.
We only employ licensed technicians and offer 24-7 emergency service!

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