Barn and outbuilding bird control in the Bitterroot Valley & Missoula

Closing off the roof space

In most barns and arenas the problem is overhead. Birds roost and nest on the rafters, trusses, and purlins, and everything below them is in the firing line. Netting installed beneath that structure turns the roof space into somewhere birds cannot reach, while leaving the building open and usable underneath.

Around the edges, the gaps where the roof meets the walls, the ridge, and the gable ends are closed with mesh so small birds cannot get in behind the netting. Where a beam or ledge cannot be netted, a deterrent takes away the perch. See bird netting and exclusion and bird spikes and ledge deterrents.

Our guide to birds in barns and arenas in Montana goes into more detail on each species and on managing feed and water.

Swallows are a separate question

Swallows are protected, and many owners like having them for the insects they eat. The difficulty is usually where they nest, not that they are there. An active swallow nest has to be left alone, so if you want swallows kept off a particular area, such as over the hay or the wash bay, that area needs to be closed off before they return in spring. Our guide to swallows nesting on a Montana building explains the timing.

Because the rules differ by species, we identify what you have before recommending anything. Our guide to which birds you can remove in Montana sets out which birds are protected.

Cleanup, and keeping it clean

Heavy accumulations of droppings in an enclosed loft or rafter space should not be swept dry. We use wet methods and protective equipment and take the material away. See bird dropping and nest cleanup.

Exclusion works best alongside a few changes in routine: feed stored in closed bins, spills cleaned up, water sources covered where practical, and large doors kept shut when they are not in use. We will point out the ones that matter for your building.