How to Stop Sparrows From Nesting on a Light Fixture

Inspect the top of the light fixture first and look for any existing nests. Move the nest only if it is empty. Depending on the bird species, transferring a nest that contains eggs, a move that kills the infant birds, could be illegal without a permit.

Attach crumpled pieces of aluminum foil on the light fixture. The shiny reflection caused by the foil, as well as the foil's texture, deters sparrows from staying on the fixture. Replace the foil after each rainfall or about once a week.

Place a mock predator, such as a hawk or owl statue, on the light fixture. The sight of the predator scares sparrows away from the fixture. Cycling between three or four fake predators, switching one out for another once every week, is recommended so that the sparrows do not become accustomed to seeing the same predator in the same spot.

Scare the sparrows from the fixture with loud noises. Alarms, air horns and other devices cause the sparrows to fly to a different location. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends doing this on a daily basis for one week straight to deter the sparrows from returning.

Place bird repellent gel on the fixture. This sticky gel creates an uncomfortable surface for the sparrows, causing them to nest elsewhere. You must scrape the gel from the fixture and then reapply it once a year. Bird repellent gel is on sale in hardware stores and online.

Attach "bird spikes" to the light fixture. The spikes create a non-flat uncomfortable surface that prevents birds from nesting. Varieties of bird spikes, as well as adhesive for attaching the spikes to the fixture, sell in hardware stores and online.