The Steps You Need To Take If An Unwanted Bird Flies Into Your House
Imagine basking in the comfort of your air conditioner, looking to escape the sweltering summer heat outside. Out of nowhere, the tranquility of your home is shattered. A wild bird has entered through an open window, door, or, perhaps, a skylight you left ajar in your quest for a ventilating breeze. There's a typical reciprocity of panic: yours as the resident trying to maintain the peace, and the bird's, an unwanted guest, trapped and desperately seeking an escape route. Suddenly, the puzzle isn't so much why the feathered trespasser flew in, but rather, "How do I get the bird out of my house?"
At first, using a fishing net or broom may seem like the best course of action. But these panicked approaches could inadvertently harm the bird, leading to an even more complex predicament. So, how do you get an unwanted bird out of your house without causing undue stress or injury? All you need to do is provide the feathered trespasser with an assertive but unforced escape route. It's about ensuring that the unwanted guest, disoriented though it may be, can safely find its way out without damaging anything inside.
How to get an unwanted bird out of your house
The scene often opens with a flurry of feathers and panic. Regardless, try to maintain the calm of a Zen master. Remember, the trespasser is equally if not more startled than you. First, start the process with a lockdown. Steer that winged wanderer into one room and close off other spaces, minimizing potential damage to your belongings. As for your four-legged furry friends? Whisk them away to a different room, as they could trigger a riot. Next, open one window or an exterior door, then turn off all lights. This kills the allure of the indoors while the glowing light outside calls the bird out like a lighthouse guiding ships.
But if that doesn't work, it's time for the big guns, or rather, the big sheets. Designate a lightweight cloth to become your "wall of intervention," enabling you to limit the bird's flight space. Slowly manipulate this fabric barrier to direct the bird towards an open window. If you have a high ceiling, a dash of creativity helps. With the help of a friend, anchor the two opposite edges of a sizable sheet or blanket between two poles. Then, move the material together, steering the bird away towards the open window.
Precautions when getting a bird out of a house
Your first instinct to reach out and scoop up the tiny squatter could do more harm than good. The pressure of your grip may damage the bird's delicate skeletal structure. Consider also that the feathers are protected from water damage by a layer of oil. And when this shield is wiped off during your kind-hearted attempt, it could leave the feathered guest vulnerable to the elements. Plus, there's the risk posed by birds carrying a disease. An aggressive or out-of-reach bird or one exhibiting signs of distress, injuries, or illnesses necessitates the intervention of a local animal control agency, wildlife rehabilitator, or veterinarian.
Keep in mind, this situation isn't exclusive to daylight hours. So, how do you get a bird out of your house at night? With stealthy precision, follow the same process and quarantine your feathered invader in one room and open just one window. Then, exit the space, shut the door, and switch off nearby indoor lights. Any exterior light becomes a natural guide for the disoriented bird. So, turn on all of your outdoor light fixtures to draw it out the window and back into the wild.
Of course, the thrill of an unexpected visit loses its novelty after multiple times. Your defensive action plan against recurrence should first target the entry points: windows and doors. Keep these shut, or consider installing screens or shiny distractions. Other alternatives include DIY repellants like baking soda sprinkled on perching spots, pest decoys for birds, or garden balls simulating eyes in your garden.