by Naomi LightWhich Kind Of Control Can Prevent Birds From Causing Problems?
Which kind of control can prevent birds from causing problems? If you are experiencing a bird pest problem on your property, you will be looking for the best prevention method. This article looks at how to identify a bird problem and ways to discourage and prevent bird infestations.
Which Type of Bird Control is Right for My Business?
All businesses, no matter their size, need to be completely aware of all the complications that come along with a lack of bird control.
Pest bird populations can cause health hazards, damage your property, or just make your property look unappealing to any potential visitors or customers.
It is highly important that when you first notice the signs of a pest bird infestation, you address the issue as quickly as possible. You need to decide which kind of bird pest control is correct for your situation.
Identifying Your Problem
Do you have pigeons making their home in your awning? Or have they decided that a cornice hanging over your business’s front entrance is now their storage facility?
Has it been this way for months? Depending on how pest birds are affecting your property, different pest control tactics will be required.
Why Do We Need To Control Birds
Pathogens and diseases
There are over 110 pathogens that pigeons can carry around. A huge quantity of research shows that other types of wild birds can pass their diseases on to humans.
Below is a list of some of the most common diseases and pathogens that birds can spread to humans. When pigeon droppings dry, they can become airborne and float around in small particles.
This is what can lead to diseases being transmitted, as well as other respiratory issues. You should always wear the correct PPE when you are cleaning up bird droppings.
Airborne Diseases
- Allergenic particles (bird fancier’s lung)
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Chlamydia psittaci (Ornithosis)
Foodborne Diseases
- Vibrio cholerae
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Salmonella spp.
- Escherichia coli
Safety Concerns
Bird droppings can be incredibly slippery, especially on pavements where they can cause serious risk. This risk can be heightened further if the pavement below is underneath a nest of roosting birds.
Though a seagull stealing someone’s hashbrowns at the seaside may seem funny, it can actually be a serious safety concern that you should consider when walking down the pier with your fish and chips.
During the breeding season, gulls have been known to attack people completely unprovoked. In some situations, gulls have not only startled beachgoers but even draw blood.
Every bird has the potential to cause major issues on airfields. On occasion, birds are sucked into plane engines. This is called a bird strike. This can not only prove fatal for the bird but can also cause major damage to the aircraft and cause emergency landings.
Secondary insect infestations
Wherever birds go, the parasites that live within their feathers go too. Fleas, ticks, bird mites, and beetles can, unfortunately, cause a variety of different secondary infestations.
If you have recently dealt with an infestation of birds, then you may find that you will have to deal with an infestation of parasites either during the process or after. The small parasites will multiply incredibly quickly, being able to go from dozen to thousands. This can be incredibly overwhelming.
The insects can leave you with countless bitemarks, a constant crawling sensation, a lack of sleep, as well as a whole variety of different mental health issues.
Birds around businesses
If you have birds roosting around your business, then you will need to seek help from a professional as soon as possible. If your business relates to food, then you could be in violation of the law.
In the UK, if you allow birds to infest a food business, then you will be in violation of the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995. In this scenario, your food company could be prosecuted.
If you do not address health and safety standards, then you will be putting both your customers and your staff at great risk. Many businesses invest in professional bird management contracts. These will help you save money in the long term due to reducing the damage done to both your stock and your property.
It is not only physical damage that can be done to a business, but reputational damage can be massive too. Bird droppings will make a business look both unclean and unattractive. Warding away customers and potentially making staff leave their positions too.
Bird control licences and the law
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all birds found in the wild, as well as their eggs and their nests. However, particular exemptions permit certain species of birds to be controlled through specific methods for specific reasons. These exemptions are handed out in the form of a wildlife licence.
The licenses are issued by a variety of organisations such as the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, and Natural Resources Wales.
General licenses are issued in order to allow specific actions to be carried out that under usual circumstances would be considered illegal, without having to apply for a specific license.
Individual licenses are given for specific situations which are not covered under the general license. These licenses need to be applied for in order to gain access.
There are specific species of bird that can only be legally dealt with by professional pest controllers. They must be competent to deal with these species.
Signs of a bird problem or infestation
Do you think that your property may have a bird infestation, and are wondering what signs to look out for? Below is a list of seven indications that may mean that you have a bird problem.
- Large groups of birds settling on your property’s roof and ledges
- Constant loud bird noises and cries from baby chicks
- Nesting materials located around your property and the surrounding area
- Stock damaged from birds pecking
- Bird droppings
- Guttering blocked with nesting materials and feathers
- Infestations of parasites carried by birds
Discouraging and preventing bird infestations
When urban birds are looking to roost and nest, what they are looking for is two things. Firstly, an area to make a nest. Some common areas where urban birds may roost are window ledges, balconies, and roof areas of surrounding buildings. The other requirement for urban birds is a source of food that they can rely on.
If you want to prevent a bird infestation, then the best thing you can do is remove these requirements. Remove any sources of food for the birds, and block off sites where birds could potentially nest or roost. The number of birds who are attracted to an area will depend on what food is available.
This means that if birds are consistently being fed, then more will keep being attracted to the zone. We would recommend closing bin lids and covering up compost bins.
DIY bird control
Bird prevention, control, and proofing is a skill that takes a long time to master. The people who assist with bird infestations daily use specialist equipment and tools and have skills they have built up over the years.
Birds are only ever killed as a complete last resort, and pest bird controllers will always try reasonable non-lethal bird control techniques first before culling becomes an option.
All wild bird, as well as their eggs and nests, are protected by the law. It is illegal to tamper with them without a license. We strongly recommend that you do not attempt to manage or control birds yourself.
Professional bird control and management
When trying to proof a property, professional pest controllers will use methods such as:
- Bird Spikes
- Bird Netting
- Shock Stripes
- Laser Deterrents
- Electric bird wire
- Non-toxic optical bird gel
- Audible scares
All of the above methods of proofing have their own pros and cons. Some offer stronger deterrents and more long-lasting solutions.
But as with all methods of proofing, they may become slowly less effective as time rolls on. It is a legal requirement that you should install nets in a way so that birds cannot become trapped.
Flying a bird of prey can be a fantastic way of deterring birds from a specific area.
Do you have a problem with bird pests in Milton Keynes? If you need assistance to prevent bird pests in your home or business, please reach out to our professional team today.