The Porch Decor That Can Keep Birds From Nesting On Outdoor Lights

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You know that charming, romantic glow emanating from your porch lights? Nearby birds are reading it as a flashing neon welcome sign. Porch lights are natural nesting spots for them. For one, the light can be a constant source of cozy heat throughout the night (even though leaving your porch light on at night isn't as safe as you think it is). Plus, the light draws bugs, too — a food source for many birds — and may be near small plants or trees in your backyard, which can provide tons of nesting materials.

But even if you're trying to make your yard a bird-friendly paradise, it's smart to try to keep your feathered friends clear of your porch lights. The brighter the light, the worse it is for a bird — it can cause confusion and disorientation for them, resulting in more collisions or even troubles with their migration. Plus, there might be annoying homeowner headaches to deal with if birds nest in your lights, like messy droppings on your deck or nest debris clogging your gutters.

So how can you get the birds to stay away from your porch lights? Wind chimes. Their lovely tinkling songs are delightful for humans. But the movement, reflected light, and unexpected sound of wind chimes can startle birds enough to keep them away. It's such a win-win that we'd say it kills two birds with one stone, but don't worry. No birds will be goners because of your chimes — they'll just find a nesting spot that's better for everyone.

If you want your porch lights to be welcoming to guests but not birds, use wind chimes strategically. Try to hang them as close to the porch lights as possible. This way, the disruptive elements of the wind chime — like sporadic noise and reflecting light — will work as a signal that the lights aren't actually a safe or cozy place for the birds to hunker down.

If you think you're not a fan of wind chimes, it might be worth trying out a few different kinds. After all, no two models are alike. You might like the natural, meditative sound that bamboo chimes give over the more sonorous clang of several aluminum tubes. It's also helpful to swap out a few different types so that your backyard birds don't become accustomed and impervious to the sound of the wind chimes.

If you're still finding that you prefer a totally quiet porch, you can try other methods, like Djuan Metal Bird Scare Discs. These reflective, rotating rods can be hung near your porch lights to keep birds out of your yard and garden — they spin and glitter in the wind, startling birds enough to prevent them from nesting. A plastic owl is another classic. Setting a convincing one near your porch lights can make birds believe that they need to stay away.