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Birds in the barn mean droppings on feed, hay and equipment, mud nests over the stall door, and mess in the water. Pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are the usual pests. Barn swallows are different: many ranchers welcome them as insect-eaters, but the mud nests over aisles and tack rooms can still be a problem.
Know the law first. Barn swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Do not remove or destroy an active nest with eggs or chicks. The time to act is late winter, before the birds return, or after a nest is empty. Pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are not protected in the same way, but check your state rules before doing anything beyond deterrents.
This guide is built from product listings and buyer ratings, not our own bench tests. Prices and ratings were checked on Amazon on November 7, 2026, and they change often. Deterrents work best when they go up before the birds settle in.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Four 304 stainless steel spike strips that cover about 3.4 feet of ledge. It is the most-reviewed bird spike in our search, with more than 11,000 ratings at 4.4 stars. Spikes stop pigeons and sparrows from perching on beams, ledges and rails.
A 10-foot set for longer rafters and header beams. It has more than 5,000 ratings at 4.5 stars, so it covers a whole row of perches in one purchase.
Physical exclusion is the most reliable way to keep birds out of a space, including swallows from an eave opening. This 25x50 foot sheet has 1-inch mesh and is rated 4.4 stars across nearly 700 ratings.
Bird Deterrents Compared
| Product | Type | Best for | Approx. price | Amazon rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFFO Bird Spikes, 4 Pack | Stainless steel spikes, 3.4 ft | Pigeons, sparrows on ledges | ~$9 | 4.4 (11,400+ ratings) |
| 10 ft Stainless Bird Spikes | Stainless steel spikes, 10 ft | Long beams and rails | ~$20 | 4.5 (5,100+ ratings) |
| Bird-X Steel Spikes, 10 ft | Stainless steel spikes, 10 ft | Pigeons, sparrows, starlings | ~$20 | 4.4 (3,700+ ratings) |
| Aspectek Pre-Assembled Spikes, 10 ft | Pre-assembled stainless spikes | Quick install on flat ledges | ~$22 | 4.5 (3,000+ ratings) |
| POYEE Bird Netting 25x50 ft | 1-inch mesh exclusion netting | Openings, eaves, stored hay | ~$35 | 4.4 (690+ ratings) |
| Bird Scare Tape, 700 ft | Reflective flash ribbon | Short-term scare in open areas | ~$10 | 4.1 (1,200+ ratings) |
| Reflective Bird Discs, 18 pack | Hanging reflective discs | Rafters and doorways | ~$27 | 4.2 (600+ ratings) |
| Hawk Decoy, 13.5 in | Predator decoy | Temporary scare only | ~$16 | 3.9 (380+ ratings) |
Bird Spikes: Stop Perching on Ledges
OFFO Stainless Steel Bird Spikes, 4 Pack
Spikes make a ledge hard to land on, so they suit the flat tops of beams, light fixtures, rails and signs. This four-pack covers about 3.4 feet. Spikes are not a fix for swallows nesting on a wall or under an eave, since swallows cling to rough vertical surfaces and build there. Use spikes against pigeons and sparrows.
Check the OFFO bird spikes on Amazon →
10 ft Stainless Steel Bird Spikes Kit
If you have a long header beam or a row of rafters, buying by the foot makes more sense. This 10-foot set has a deep review history. Clean the surface first, because glue and clips hold poorly on dusty or greasy wood and metal.
Check the 10 ft spike kit on Amazon →
Bird-X Steel Spikes (10 ft)
A familiar brand in bird control, listed for pigeons, sparrows and starlings. At about the same price as the 10-foot kit, it is a sound choice if you prefer a known name.
Check the Bird-X spikes on Amazon →
Aspectek Pre-Assembled Spikes (10 ft)
These come pre-assembled, so you can fasten them to a flat ledge with glue or screws and move on. They suit places where speed matters.
Check the Aspectek spikes on Amazon →
Netting: The Reliable Option
POYEE Bird Netting, 25x50 ft, 1 inch Mesh
If you want birds out of a space entirely, close the opening. Netting stretched across an eave gap or loft opening, or over stacked hay, stops birds without relying on a scare effect. Fit it tight so birds cannot get tangled, and check it each season. Install it in late winter before swallows return, never over an active nest.
Check the POYEE bird netting on Amazon →
Scare Devices: Cheap, but Temporary
Bird Scare Tape (700 ft)
Flash tape twists in the wind and reflects light. A large roll costs about $10. Birds often get used to it within weeks, so treat it as a short-term measure and move it around now and then.
Check the 700 ft scare tape on Amazon →
Reflective Bird Discs (18 pack)
Hanging discs flash in sunlight and move in a draft. They suit rafters near a doorway where sunlight reaches. Results vary, so pair them with a physical barrier.
Check the reflective bird discs on Amazon →
Hawk Decoy (13.5 in)
A predator decoy is the cheapest way to try a scare effect. Birds learn that a statue never moves, so shift it every few days. At 3.9 stars, buyers are less enthusiastic about it than about the other products here.
Check the hawk decoy on Amazon →
How to Choose
- Pigeons and sparrows on beams: use stainless steel spikes on every flat perch.
- Swallows nesting over aisles: use netting or close the gap before they return in spring. Remove old nests only when they are empty, and check the rules first.
- Stored hay and feed: net it, and keep feed in sealed bins.
- Scare devices: use them as a first step or a supplement, not as the main control.
- Timing: install in late winter, before nest building starts.
Final Verdict
For pigeons and sparrows, start with the OFFO bird spikes for short ledges or the 10 ft spike kit for long beams. For swallows and for a lasting fix anywhere, use the POYEE netting, installed before nesting season. Add scare tape if you want a cheap extra layer.
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