House Sparrows

Latin Name: Passer domesticus

Months of Activity: January - December

Probably the most often seen of British birds, house sparrows live in close proximity to man and build their nests not only in holes, in thatch and in hedges, but also in sheds, warehouses and in fact anywhere with an easy food source.

House sparrows are extremely versatile and will feed on grain, seeds, flowers and fruit. Because of this feeding practice, the birds can cause damage to allotments, farms and market gardens. They are also considered a serious pest in cereal growing areas.

Appearance

• The cock house sparrow has a rusty back, black bib and grey crown and cheek patches.
• The hen bird is more of a dull brown all over, smaller than the male , and is very similar to the juvenile house sparrow.

Lifecycle

The house sparrow follows a very distinct breeding pattern, which starts in early April with the male building his nest out of twigs, moss and other garden materials. Once the nest is built, he can then go and find a breeding partner.

Four to six eggs are laid and will hatch after 11 to 14 days of incubation, which is taken on solely by the hen. The chicks will fledge after 15 days and will remain in their parents care for a further month or so. House sparrows will typically have 2 or 3 broods per year and can continue to breed as late as September.

Pest Control

The most effective method of control is to exclude sparrows from the area by using nets and making sure that there are no gaps or crevices for the birds to pass through. This method is most effective in large, enclosed spaces such as warehouses, but does require the skills and experience of your local pest control company.

For smaller problems, such as sparrows nesting within your roof, the problem must be tackled by scaring the birds out and then finding and blocking up any holes that could be deemed large enough for them to re-enter your loft space.

NOTE: The Dunnock, a close relative of the house sparrow and a protected species, is often mistaken as the common sparrow, so it is important to source expert advice if you think that you have a house sparrow pest problem.

House Sparrow Pest Control News

Choosing A Pest Control Company
Discovering a pest problem or infestation that is threatening your property, your health or even just your peace of mind can be a major annoyance. The last thing one needs in this situation is the added stress of finding a reputable pest control com... [more]

Pest Free 2012
Winter would seem to be the time when residents in the UK have fewer pest problems, but between an invasion of bed bugs or mice, the problems remain active even when most insects species enter a dormant period. Rodents are by far the biggest problem... [more]

Controlling The House Sparrow
House sparrows can be difficult birds to control, in part because of their high reproductive capacity. A female house sparrow averages three to five broods per year with four to seven eggs per brood. In other words, she can generate about 25 young pe... [more]

Pest Plague Looms
A cocktail of lamentable circumstances is proving a potent mix, fuelling a surge in pest infestations across Britain. As austerity measures bite, living standards fall, the property rental market grows and we have mild – even warm – autum... [more]

Online Training From PestPractice
All pest professionals need to keep up-to-date, but it can often be difficult to spare the time to attend training seminars and conferences. PestPractice is a new online training tool that provides a convenient, cost effective solution to this proble... [more]

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House Sparrow Pest Control Companies