London Wildlife – Wildlife Removal London, Ontario
Serving London, Ontario · Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bird Removal in London, Ontario
London Wildlife removes nesting birds from dryer vents, bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents, soffits, eavestroughs and roof lines in London, Ontario. We remove the nest, clean out the opening and screen it with metal so birds can’t get back in, while following the laws that protect native birds. Call 226-271-5510 to book an inspection.
Signs Birds Are Nesting in Your Home
Birds are easy to hear and easy to miss. Most homeowners notice them in spring, when the chirping starts coming from inside a wall or vent. Common signs:
- Chirping or fluttering inside a vent, wall or ceiling, often loudest in the morning
- Twigs, grass or feathers sticking out of a dryer vent, exhaust vent or soffit gap
- Birds flying in and out of the same spot on the roof line or under the eaves
- A dryer that takes longer to dry, or a bathroom fan that stops pulling air
- Droppings building up on a ledge, sign, deck or window sill below a nest
- Mites or small insects appearing indoors near a vent
A nest in a dryer vent is more than a nuisance. Packed nesting material blocks airflow and holds lint, which is a fire risk. A blocked exhaust vent can also push moisture back into the house.
Which Birds Cause Problems in London?
Most bird calls in London involve three species:
- European starlings. Glossy black birds that pack vents and soffit gaps with grass and twigs. They nest from early spring into summer and often reuse the same opening every year.
- House sparrows. Small brown birds that build bulky nests in vents, eavestroughs, signs and light fixtures.
- Rock pigeons. Larger birds that roost and nest on ledges, flat roofs, balconies and under solar panels, and leave heavy droppings.
We also see native birds, such as robins and swallows, nesting on homes. These are handled differently because the law protects them.
Bird Removal and the Law
Most native birds that nest on London homes, such as American robins, barn swallows and house finches, are protected under Canada’s Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, it’s prohibited to damage, destroy, disturb or remove a protected bird’s nest while it contains a live bird or a viable egg (source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nest Protection under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022). When we find an active nest of a protected bird, we leave it alone and wait until the young have fledged, which usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks. Then we remove the empty nest and close the opening.
European starlings, house sparrows and rock pigeons aren’t protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Starlings and house sparrows belong to bird families the Act doesn’t cover, and rock pigeons are an introduced species that isn’t on Canada’s protected list (source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Birds protected in Canada). Canada.ca notes that birds outside the Act may still be protected by other laws, such as provincial law. Even so, we remove them humanely, and we check for eggs and young before we close anything.
That’s why we identify the bird first. Pulling a nest out the wrong way, or at the wrong time, can break the law or leave young trapped inside a wall.
How Our Bird Removal Works
1. Inspection. We find where the birds are getting in, identify the species and check whether the nest is active. We also look for other open vents and gaps nearby. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote before any work starts.
2. Nest removal. When it’s legal and safe to do so, we remove the nest and nesting material from the vent, soffit or ledge. If a protected bird’s nest has eggs or young, we wait until the young have fledged, usually about 3 to 4 weeks, before we remove it.
3. Clean-out. We clear the vent or opening so air can flow again and remove droppings and debris from the immediate area.
4. Screening and sealing. We cover the opening with heavy-gauge screening or metal vent guards that let air out but keep birds out. Soffit gaps and roof-line openings are sealed with chew-proof metal.
5. Follow-up visit (included). We come back to check that the birds aren’t getting in and that the screening is holding.
6. 5-year guarantee. Our exclusion work comes with a 5-year guarantee: birds won’t get through any of the work we did. The guarantee covers only the openings we sealed. It doesn’t cover new openings from other causes, such as roof damage or shingles torn off later.
Common Places Birds Nest on London Homes
- Dryer vents. The warm, sheltered duct is the most common bird call we get.
- Bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents. Especially vents with broken or missing flaps.
- Soffits and fascia. Gaps at the corners where soffit panels have pulled away.
- Eavestroughs and downspouts. Nests block water flow and cause overflow.
- Roof vents and gable vents. Birds slip under or through damaged screens.
- Signs, ledges and light fixtures. On commercial buildings, plazas and apartment buildings.
Health and Damage Risks
Bird droppings and nests can carry bacteria, fungi, mites and other parasites. Large amounts of pigeon droppings are a particular concern on balconies, ledges and in attics. Don’t sweep or scrape heavy droppings without protection. Nesting material in vents creates a fire and moisture risk, and droppings eat away at roofing, siding and painted surfaces over time.
If droppings have built up in an attic or around a vent, we offer clean-up as well. See Attic Clean-Up.
How Much Does Bird Removal Cost in London?
Most wildlife removal jobs in London cost about $700 to $2,000+, plus HST. A bird job that only needs one vent cleared and screened can cost less. Jobs with several nests, high roof access or heavy droppings clean-up cost more. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote.
What changes the price:
- How many vents or openings need screening
- Roof height and how hard the nest is to reach
- Whether the nest is active and the work has to be timed
- How much droppings clean-up is needed
The follow-up visit is included. See the full price guide: Wildlife Removal Cost in London.
Bird Removal Across London, Ontario
We remove birds from homes and businesses throughout the City of London, Ontario, including Byron, Masonville, Hyde Park, Lambeth, Old North, Old South, Westmount, Wortley Village, Oakridge, White Oaks and Argyle. We work within London only. Call 226-271-5510, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bird Removal FAQs
How do I get birds out of my dryer vent?
Don’t push the nest further into the duct. Turn off the dryer, check whether you can hear young, and call a professional. We remove the nest, clear the vent and install a metal guard so birds can’t get back in.
Is it legal to remove a bird's nest in Ontario?
It depends on the bird and whether the nest is active. Most native birds are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 their nests can’t be disturbed or removed while they contain a live bird or a viable egg. European starlings, house sparrows and rock pigeons aren’t protected under the Act, although other laws may apply. We identify the bird first. For a protected bird, we wait until the young have fledged, usually about 3 to 4 weeks, then remove the empty nest.
When do birds nest in vents?
Most vent-nesting birds in London, such as starlings and house sparrows, nest from early spring into summer, and some raise more than one brood. The best time to screen vents is before spring, before native birds start nesting and their active nests become protected.
Can bird nests cause a fire?
Yes. A nest in a dryer vent blocks airflow and traps lint, which can overheat. If your dryer is taking longer than usual and you hear chirping in the vent, stop using the dryer until the nest is removed.
Are bird droppings dangerous?
Large amounts of droppings can carry bacteria, fungi and parasites. Avoid sweeping or scraping heavy droppings without protection, and keep children and pets away. We offer droppings clean-up after the birds are removed.
Will the birds come back?
Birds often return to the same opening every year. Once the opening is screened with metal, they can’t get back in. Our 5-year guarantee covers the openings we seal.
How much does bird removal cost in London, Ontario?
Most wildlife removal jobs in London cost about $700 to $2,000+, plus HST. A single vent can cost less, and jobs with several nests or clean-up cost more. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote.
Do you remove birds from commercial buildings?
Yes. We remove nesting birds from signs, ledges, vents and roof lines on commercial buildings in London, then screen the openings so they can’t return.
Book Bird Removal in London
Birds in a vent or soffit? Call London Wildlife at 226-271-5510 or request a quote online. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.