Swallow Nests & Bird Droppings on Your Home or Storefront: What You Can (and Can't) Legally Clean in Kansas
Exterior Cleaning · About a 7-minute read · Southwest Kansas Power Washing
If you are wondering how to remove bird droppings from house siding, there is a good chance swallows are behind the mess. Every spring, barn swallows and cliff swallows return to Southwest Kansas and build mud nests under eaves, porch ceilings, garage overhangs, gas station canopies, and storefront awnings. By late summer, the walls below are streaked white, the concrete is spotted, and the nests themselves are crumbling.
Cleaning it up seems simple. The catch is that these birds are federally protected, and timing determines what you are allowed to remove. This guide explains the rules in plain language, the right time to clean, how to do it safely, and how to keep the birds from coming back.
Not Legal Advice
This article summarizes general federal guidance for homeowners and business owners. For questions about a specific situation, see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance on nuisance swallows or contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Why Swallows Love Kansas Buildings
Cliff swallows originally nested on rock cliffs and canyon walls. In the flat plains of Southwest Kansas, buildings make a perfect substitute. Eaves, overhangs, bridges, and canopies offer a vertical wall with a roof above, which protects the nest from rain and predators. Nearby water and open fields provide mud for building and plenty of insects to eat.
Barn swallows prefer more sheltered spots, such as inside open garages, barns, porches, and carports, where they build cup-shaped nests on ledges and beams. Both species return to the same sites year after year, which is why one nest can turn into a colony of dozens on a single wall.
What the Law Says About Swallow Nests
Both barn swallows and cliff swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that covers most native bird species in the United States. In general terms, it prohibits killing, capturing, or harming protected birds and their eggs, and destroying active nests without a permit.
| Situation | General Rule |
|---|---|
| Nest with eggs or young birds | Do not remove or disturb without a federal permit |
| Birds actively building or sitting on a nest | Leave it alone until the nesting cycle ends |
| Empty, inactive nest after birds leave | Generally can be removed; do not keep the nest |
| Partial mud nest with no eggs, early in spring | Generally can be removed to discourage nesting |
| Pigeons, house sparrows, starlings | Not covered by the federal act; check local rules |
In practical terms, that means the cleaning window for most properties is after the birds are done raising their young and have left. Trying to knock down active nests in June can bring fines, and it does not solve the problem anyway, since the birds will often rebuild.
Timing: When to Clean in Southwest Kansas
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the swallow breeding season as March through September. In Southwest Kansas, most birds arrive in spring, raise one or two broods through summer, and head south by early fall. That creates a natural calendar for property owners:
| Time of Year | What Is Happening | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter (before March) | Birds have not returned yet | Install netting or exclusion; final cleanup of old marks |
| Spring | Birds arrive and start building | Remove partial mud starts before eggs are laid |
| Late spring to late summer | Active nests with eggs and chicks | Wait; clean droppings below without touching nests |
| Fall and early winter | Birds have migrated; confirm nests are empty | Remove old nests and wash all affected surfaces |
That makes fall the best season to tackle it. The nests are empty, the temperatures are still good for exterior washing, and you have months to put prevention in place before spring.
Fall Is Swallow Cleanup Season
Once the nests are empty, we can remove the old mud, wash the droppings off siding, eaves, awnings, and concrete, and leave the surfaces clean before winter. Get a free estimate for your home or business.
Why You Should Not Leave Droppings Sitting
Bird droppings are more than an eyesore. They contain uric acid, which is corrosive. Left on surfaces through a Kansas summer, they can:
- Etch and dull paint on siding, trim, doors, and vehicles.
- Stain porous surfaces like brick, stucco, and concrete.
- Corrode metal canopies, gutters, and light fixtures.
- Discolor and weaken fabric awnings.
- Make sidewalks and entry mats slippery and unsanitary.
For businesses, the issue is also about first impressions. Customers notice white streaks over an entrance door or under a gas station canopy immediately. For commercial properties, we offer awning cleaning, commercial building washing, and walkway cleaning to deal with every surface the birds affect.
How to Clean Bird Droppings Safely
Dried droppings that pile up over time can release dust containing fungal spores when they are disturbed. The risk from a few spots is low, but large accumulations under a colony deserve real caution.
If you are cleaning a small area yourself
- Wet it first. Mist the area with water or a cleaning solution so droppings do not turn into airborne dust.
- Protect yourself. Wear disposable gloves, eye protection, and a properly fitted respirator mask.
- Scrape gently. Use a plastic scraper on softened material rather than a metal tool that can scratch siding.
- Wash and rinse. Clean with a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly, working from the top down.
- Bag and dispose. Seal debris in a bag rather than sweeping it into the yard.
When to call a professional
Heavy buildup, second-story eaves, colonies with dozens of nests, and commercial canopies are better handled by a crew with ladders, proper protective equipment, and low-pressure washing equipment. We use soft wash methods on siding and eaves so mud and droppings are lifted without damaging paint or forcing water into soffits. Our house washing service covers the full exterior once the nest areas are cleaned.
Preventing Swallows From Returning
Cleaning without prevention usually means repeating the job next fall. These steps make your property less attractive to nesting birds:
- Remove all old nests and mud traces. Leftover mud marks signal a good nesting site to returning birds.
- Install exclusion netting before spring. Netting under eaves or canopies blocks access to the wall-ceiling corner birds need.
- Remove mud starts early. In spring, knock down partial nests before any eggs are laid.
- Use smooth surfaces where possible. Swallows struggle to attach mud to slick materials.
- Keep gutters clear. Overflowing gutters create damp mud near the roofline. Our gutter cleaning service helps here.
Business Owners: Plan Ahead
Gas stations, restaurants, and shops with canopies often see the same colonies return every year. Scheduling a fall cleanup and a spring prevention visit is usually cheaper than dealing with a full colony each summer. Our guide on restaurant awning cleaning in Southwest Kansas covers storefront care in more detail.
Get Rid of the Mess Before Spring Returns
We clean up after swallows, pigeons, and other birds on homes, storefronts, canopies, and commercial buildings across Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal, and Southwest Kansas.
- Off-season nest and mud removal
- Safe soft washing for siding, eaves, and awnings
- Concrete and entryway cleanup
- Free estimates for homes and businesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to remove swallow nests in Kansas?
Barn swallows and cliff swallows are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Destroying or disturbing a nest that contains eggs or young birds is prohibited without a permit. Nests that are inactive, meaning no eggs or birds are present, can generally be removed. If you are unsure about a specific situation, check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
When is the best time to remove swallow nests and clean up droppings?
After the breeding season ends and the nests are confirmed empty, which in Southwest Kansas usually means fall through late winter. Fall is ideal because the birds have left and the weather is still mild enough for exterior washing.
Are bird droppings harmful to my siding or paint?
Yes, over time. Bird droppings are acidic and can etch paint, stain siding and brick, and corrode metal. The longer they sit, especially in hot sun, the harder they are to remove and the more likely they are to leave a permanent mark.
Is it safe to clean up bird droppings myself?
Small amounts of fresh droppings can be cleaned with care. Large, dried accumulations can release dust containing fungal spores when disturbed. Wet the area first instead of sweeping dry, wear gloves and a properly fitted respirator mask, and consider professional cleaning for heavy buildup.
How do I stop swallows from nesting on my house next year?
Remove old nests during the off-season, wash away the mud marks, and install exclusion measures such as netting before birds return in spring. Knocking down partial mud nests early in the season, before any eggs are laid, also discourages birds from settling in.
Are pigeons and sparrows protected like swallows?
Rock pigeons, house sparrows, and European starlings are non-native species and are not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Local ordinances can still apply, so it is wise to check before removing nests of any bird.
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