[Bird Control] Bird Control Basics

Birds play an important role in our natural environments. They also provide a pastime for bird watchers all over the world. As a result, birds are often not seen as a pest. But what many people may not realize is that birds can also be a major nuisance, and even a threat to businesses.

In fact, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, birds cause tens of millions of dollars in damage every year to machinery, automobiles, roofs and ventilation systems. And unlike many pests, birds are a visible problem. Not only can you see the birds themselves, you can see their droppings. Outside of aesthetics, droppings can also cause structural damage and can transmit dangerous bacteria like Salmonella.

As a result, property managers need a reliable partner that can offer efficient, effective and appropriate bird management solutions. But before you can become that partner, your team must be properly trained and knowledgeable about bird control.

When training employees on bird control, there are several key factors to focus on. Start with the basics: bird identification, site evaluation, safety and control methods.
 

Bird Identification.

Before any bird control or exclusion job can be completed, the correct species of bird must be identified. The three most common pest bird species are pigeons, starlings and house/English sparrows. Other pest birds include Canada geese, European starlings, sea gulls and woodpeckers. Proper control methods will be based on the species at hand, so correct identification is critical. Identifying the species is also important because some birds, such as Canada geese, are protected by local and federal laws. Whether or not a species is protected will dictate the type of control method used. Disturbing protected species can result in penalties and fines, which means bird control can be a risky venture if your team is not trained thoroughly.
 

Site Evaluation.

Before selecting a method of control, it’s important for employees to complete a site evaluation. Completing a site evaluation will accomplish several things. One, it will allow you to identify non-target bird species or other non-target animals that inhabit the surrounding area. This step is important because you want to make sure that whatever control or exclusion methods you implement will not cause harm to non-target species.

A site evaluation will also allow your team to determine whether the birds are loafing, feeding, resting or nesting at the site. Identifying the type of bird activity will help your team determine the most appropriate method of control or exclusion.

A proper analysis of the site must take place over a series of days. During this time, it also will be important to identify any nearby sources of food and water and any areas where the birds may retreat for shelter if deterred from landing/roosting at their current site.
 

Safety Concerns.

Bird droppings are not only unsightly, they can carry more than 60 different kinds of diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bird fecal matter can contain disease organisms such as histoplasmosis, Cryptococcus, ectoparasites, Salmonella and E. coli.

The World Health Organization reports that birds are also the principal hosts for viruses associated with eastern and western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus and even some influenza viruses. What’s more, the presence of nesting birds can lead to mite infestations. While bird mite bites are not linked to disease transmission, they can cause discomfort and severe irritation.

Employees should be acutely aware of the health risks associated with birds and be trained to not only protect themselves but inform customers of the health risks as well.

But it’s not just bird droppings that can cause health hazards; the practice of bird control also can be dangerous if employees are not properly trained. Here are several key safety issues to discuss with employees:

• Eyeglasses — Your eyes are extremely important, and extremely vulnerable. To avoid getting debris in them while working a bird job, always wear safety glasses with side shields.
• Noise — When you’re working with power tools or in an area with a lot of loud noise, you need to protect your ears by wearing earplugs or earmuffs.
• Protective Clothing — When removing bird nests and bird droppings, it is important to wear the proper clothing. Always wear disposable coveralls, boots and gloves. Depending on the amount of droppings, you may also want to consider wearing a Tyvek suit to protect you from parasites.
• Breathe Right — The easiest way to contract diseases from birds is to inhale the dust from their droppings. It’s extremely important to take great precautions so this does not happen. Wear a dust mask when working near small amounts of fecal matter and wear a respirator when working near larger amounts. Also, consider wearing a respirator if you are cleaning in a confined space.
• Avoid Accidents — Handling a bird job will most likely involve dealing with them on their turf — above the ground floor. The majority of the time you’ll be in an aerial lift or on a ladder, so it is important to recognize that when working high up you are putting yourself at another great risk. Protect yourself from falling by using a full body harness and a lanyard, also known as a “fall arrest system.”
• Cleaning Dos and Don’ts — When dealing with droppings you never want to deal with them dry, as this is when the harmful dust is created. Instead, you want to soak the area with a disinfectant. Also, consider implementing dust control measures, such as containing the area with plastic sheeting.
   

The Right Control Method.

An effective bird control program is one that is tailored to meet the unique characteristics of the site and the type of bird situation at hand. It must also aim to exclude or control the birds, without damaging a building’s appearance. Make sure employees understand that sometimes a combination of methods may be required. While every situation is different, there are three common techniques often used that your team should be familiar with: repellants, relocation and exclusion.

• Repellants can be used for loafing or roosting birds. Physical repellants prevent birds from perching and electronic repellants can frighten birds away.
• Relocation is used for nesting birds. This method involves physically removing birds from the property. Remember, moving nests of protected birds will results in fines and penalties, so it’s important to be knowledgeable about protected species.
• Exclusion is also suited for nesting birds. This technique involves using netting to block off attractive areas to birds or sealing openings in exterior walls so small birds cannot squeeze through.
  
   

Final Thoughts.

Bird control can be a lucrative business, but if your team lacks a basic knowledge of bird biology and behavior, safety and control methods, it can also be a dangerous one. Help your team become a reliable partner for property managers by providing thorough training to employees, always starting with the basics and building their knowledge and expertise from there.

The author is a specialty services manager and Board Certified Entomologist with Western Pest Services, a New-Jersey based pest management firm serving residential and commercial customers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and No Fly Zone, a division of Western Pest Services providing bird exclusion, bird control and bird deterrent services. Learn more at www.westernpest.com or www.noflyzoneinc.com.