Sparrow

Sparrow control: how to stop sparrows, place by place

House sparrows use cavities, soffits and eaves rather than open ledges, so sparrow work is mostly about closing gaps rather than covering surfaces. As our bird control FAQs explain, nests can block gutters and downpipes, and fouling is acidic and damages the fabric of a building. Nesting birds also return to the same site year after year.

Sparrows are small enough to pass straight through pigeon and starling netting and between the pins of a pigeon spike, so everything here is sized for them.

How to stop sparrows nesting in eaves, soffits and roof gaps

19mm sparrow netting is the finest mesh in the range, because anything wider lets a sparrow through. It is knotted, UV stabilised polyethylene that does not absorb water or stretch, in stock sizes or cut to size to the nearest metre. House sparrow nests from March to August and is red-listed, so close gaps outside that period, and never close a cavity that is already in use.

How to stop sparrows on ledges, beams and fences

The Small Species Plastic Bird Spike is designed to stop small birds such as sparrows and starlings perching. Its 62mm pins are hard to see from the ground, it protects ledges up to 10cm deep, and its product page suggests it for pergola beams and narrow fences. The starling and sparrow stainless steel spikes have 240 points on each 600mm strip, because at this size the pin spacing matters more than the height. See the sparrow spikes range and our guide to fitting bird spikes.

How to stop sparrows where you cannot fix spikes

Ornaway optical bird repellent gel sits in low-profile dishes glued to the surface, and its product page gives sparrow spacings of 10cm to 15cm at night roosts and nesting areas. Bird Free Fire Gel comes in ready-made trays that can also go on vertical surfaces.

How to stop sparrows in loading bays, warehouses and stores

Where sparrows are getting into a building or roosting under a canopy, 19mm netting over the space or the openings keeps them out, and a flame retardant 19mm net is available for higher risk areas. Bird-Scape escape funnels let birds from sparrow size upwards escape from behind a net, so nothing is trapped inside. Our anti bird netting installation guide explains how a net system goes together.

How to keep sparrows off open areas

The BirdXPeller Pro plays sparrow distress calls over up to an acre of open ground, and its product page advises using it alongside a visual scarer. See the full bird scarers range.

Sparrow deterrents by location

Sparrows and the law

House sparrows are protected, and house sparrow is on the red list of birds of conservation concern. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird, or to take, damage or destroy a nest while it is in use or being built, or to take or destroy its eggs. Natural England's public health and safety licence, GL41, names four species, and house sparrow is not one of them.

Proofing needs no licence, provided the method does not injure the bird or trap it or seal it into a space it cannot leave. Scotland and Wales issue their own licences. Our guide to bird control and the law sets out the full position.

When to have sparrow proofing installed

House sparrows nest from March to August, so timing is critical. Proof outside the nesting season, check that every gap is empty before it is closed, and have the work finished before nesting starts. EnviroGuard supplies the products and does not install them, but if you would rather not work at height, we can arrange it for you.

Sparrow control questions

What size netting do I need for sparrows?

19mm. It is the finest netting in the range, and anything wider lets a sparrow through. For starlings, 28mm starling netting is enough.

Do bird spikes work on sparrows?

Pigeon spikes do not, because a sparrow fits between the pins. Small-species spikes such as the Small Species Plastic Bird Spike and the starling and sparrow stainless steel spikes have closely spaced pins made for birds this size.

How do I get rid of sparrows nesting in my roof?

Wait until the nest is no longer in use, then close the gap with 19mm netting so they cannot return next season. An active nest is protected by law, so it must not be disturbed or blocked in.

Is it legal to poison or kill sparrows?

No. Poisoning or killing house sparrows is illegal, and EnviroGuard does not sell bird poisons. Keeping sparrows out with netting and spikes needs no licence.

More bird control guides

• Anti bird netting installation
• How to fit bird spikes
• Bird spike costs: price per metre and installation
• Bird control and the law
• bird control installers: who fits what we supply