Downspouts and birds

[AnnieFC]

I’ve discovered the birds love to stuff twigs, grass, etc in my downspoutswhich is causing the rain to overflow. I was thinking to put a mesh screen to cover the spout top so they can’t get in and clog it. Has anyone had this issue?

[glinda]

From my experience it is best to set the barrier a bit further than in the downspout itself. Something like this...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spectra-Meta.../305062728

Not that I am promoting that product, or know it would work in any situation other than the one it is manufactured for. Just that some sort of screen that covers the entire gutter is more efficient than one at the downspout itself.

[Obie]

You could try this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amerimax-Alumin...1000068967

[MarkP]

I have never had a problem with debris in my gutters. My place is far enough from trees that nothing blows in and I have never had a problem with birds. My parents have a huge honey locust overhanging their roof and they had those Amerimax guards and IMO they made things worse. They immediately load up and must be cleaned.

[Chas]

I saw these on “This Old House”. Never tried them but they seem like they would work.

By the design, it looks like they can’t get clogged. Don’t know if you could buy shorter, cheaper pieces. This is just the first thing that came up so I could show what it looks like:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GutterBrush-L...R/50019106

[MarkP]

Any filter will get clogged if it is doing its job as what it is filtering out builds up.

[AnnieFC]

I found a wedge shaped downspout gaurd on the internet so I'll try it out and let everyone know how it works. Thank you!!!