Bird Control by Aderyn

Problems

Although most people find birds attractive and pleasant, they can present serious problems when not controlled.

Bird droppings are particularly unpleasant, being infested with disease-causing organisms and creating slip hazards. In addition, the droppings are unsightly and can cause serious structural damage to buildings.

Nesting materials and feathers often contain many insects, which can lead to secondary infestations of properties. Birds' cooing and screening cries, such as those of the seagull, cause major unrest in both inland urban areas and seaside towns. In addition, birds such as sparrows, starlings and pigeons can cause economic losses to food-related businesses by fouling and eating the food products being made or stored.

Problems caused by Pest Birds

Damage to stonework
Annoyance to staff and customers
Contaminated air conditioning
Contaminated food stuffs
Blocked gutters causing water damage and flooding
Insect infestations

Proofing Methods

There is a wide array of bird proofing systems on the market today to suit almost every application. The 'bird pressure' (the motivation of birds to re-gain access to a proofed area.) of the site must be assessed in order to choose the correct system.

Netting
Heavy-pressure areas are characterised by lots of fouling, nesting material and even eggs. They are very sheltered and are used by birds nesting at night. Netting is perhaps the most effective deterrent for such areas, as are some heavy-duty point systems, but may need to be supported by a local cull to remove persistent individual birds.

Medium-pressure areas are less sheltered but still heavily fouled. They are favoured daytime perching areas overlooking a food source. Netting, post-and-wire and spike systems may be appropriate in these areas. However, birds are likely to be displaced to adjacent sites.

Low-pressure areas are exposed, occasional perching places with little fouling. Any proofing system can be used including barrier coil, spikes and gel.

Bird netting systems, which screen off problem areas, can give 100% success when installed correctly. Nets come in sizes to suit house sparrows, starlings and feral pigeons, although it will successfully exclude other birds too. Netting can be specified in several colours to suit the building's masonry.

Post-and-wire systems
Post-and-wire systems are tried and tested applications, which can be used on ledges, ridges and other structures to prevent birds gaining a foothold.

Pigeon stopped from landing due to bird wire - Bird Control Solution by Aderyn

Pin (Spike) systems
Pin systems (also known as spike or point systems) are simple to apply, made up of strips containing various arrangements or upright metal or plastic pins to dissuade the birds and prevent them alighting on the surface. They are very adaptable and can be used to proof a wide variety of plain or ornate buildings.

Gel systems
Gel systems are applied to ledges using a caulking gun, and then painted with a sealing fluid to create a flexible barrier to birds' feet - the sensation underfoot feels unpleasant and unstable to the birds, thus preventing perching.

Physical Barriers
Plastic strip curtain doors should always be considered for large openings where bird ingress into buildings causes problems.

How we can help

Population Control
Regrettably, there are circumstances where resident populations of birds need to be culled in order to gain control. For example, this may mean removing feral pigeons that are roosting on a flat roof.

Birds are culled in a number of ways. Some populations can be successfully removed using live catch cage traps. This is a particularly effective and humane method in skilled hands, and large numbers of birds (particularly feral pigeons) can be removed in a relatively short period of time. This method should be accompanied by effective housekeeping, so that food, usually found as spillages, and water sources are cleared. This will discourage new birds from surrounding regions from quickly filling the vacant space.

An alternative method is the selective human removal of birds by shooting with a .22 calibre air rifle. This is mostly adopted after a proofing system has been installed and when a number of resident birds try to re-enter the proofed zone. Removal of these dominant resident birds from the population is advisable to avoid failure of the system.

Population control consists of a localised cull to reduce numbers to manageable levels. It is normally undertaken when the customer requires the alleviation of a bird problem within a short period. Whilst being effective at reducing the infestation level, it does not provide a long-term solution, as repeated culling is required to prevent the population from becoming re-established. Therefore, proofing should be proposed as a long-term solution.

Building proofing
Long-term control can be obtained by preventing birds from perching or roosting on the building. A system appropriate to the level of bird pressure evident should be selected.

Following the installation of the proofing system, regular inspections should be carried out to ensure that the system is still in place and in good condition. There are instances when other contractors, such as window cleaners and electricians, may need access to the building. Any damage to the system should be reported and maintenance work carried out. A regular maintenance contract should cover all these post-installation activities.

It is likely that birds displaced by the installed system will seek an alternative nesting, roosting or perching site nearby, and so neighbouring buildings may need to be proofed in a similar manner.

Hygiene Audits
In most instances of pest infestation, a readily available food and water source makes a place conducive to pests. Birds are equally attracted to areas providing either food or water or both. One of the various ways of approaching a bird problem is to ensure effective site hygiene, by the regular removal of unwanted residual food, usually found as spillages, and water points.

Regular audits will ensure that site hygiene is maintained at an adequate level, such that the pre-existing conditions that initially attracted the birds do not reoccur. Also, inspectors should identify any new flaws and provide recommendations to the site owner. Hygiene audits should be included within a comprehensive pest control contract.

Reasons to Control Pest Birds

A reduction in spread of diseases such as Salmonella and Ornithosis spread by birds.
Elimination of insects and mite ifestations often associated with nesting birds.
Improvement in your on-site safety by eliminating slip hazards caused by droppings.
Reduction in damage to property caused by erosion of stonework caused by acidic droppings. Also gutters can get blocked with droppings and debris causing water damage and flooding.