Why Bird Control?
Birds
carry and spread disease, and bird feces can corrode building
materials. The build-up of droppings or nesting materials is not only
unsightly, but can also host parasites like bird mites.
Bird
droppings are highly acidic and can corrode building materials such as
wood, steel, brick, shingles and concrete. Bird Droppings can also
corrode paint.
If
birds are allowed to inhabit an area long enough, they will
persistently defend this as their territory. It’s important to take a
proactive approach when dealing with pest birds on your home or
business. In the long run, it can save you time and money.
Bird Control Health Risks
Birds,
bird droppings, and nesting materials can carry over 60 different
fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases that can be passed to humans and
animals. Birds and bird nests can also host parasites and mites. Birds
are carriers of the West Nile virus, and Bird Flu.
Contraction
of these diseases can happen through inhalation of airborne spores
(through dried bird feces), or through direct contact.
It
should be noted that those who have compromised immune systems, or live
with auto immune disorders are at the greatest risk of contracting
disease from bird droppings. Constant exposure to bird feces or nests
also puts one at greater risk. Washing hands after coming in contact
with bird feces can greatly reduce risks of contracting disease.
Property Damage
Bird
droppings are highly acidic and can corrode paint, and some building
materials including steel, wood, concrete, tile, and shingles. Bird
Droppings can also corrode and discolor fabrics like canvas. Removing
these materials can be timely and expensive.
Image
On
businesses bird droppings can ruin signs, and store fronts, and
dissuade potential clients from entering. A sign or building is a
physical representation of the business, if they are soiled with bird
droppings, and look sloppy, many customers will assume that this
translates to the business practice as well.
Safety Hazard
In
late 2007, a New York City doorman was awarded $6 million dollars from
the New York Department of Transportation, after he slipped on pigeon
droppings in a subway terminal. Beyond the health issues of constantly
being exposed to bird droppings or nests, the droppings themselves can
pose a risk, should anyone slip on them.
I was amazed by the array of bird control products.
With
so much to choose from, I threw myself on the mercy of countless
salespeople to learn the ways of bird control. I also checked several
Web sites to learn the lingo. In short, there are four main types of
bird control: visual deterrents, taste aversion, barriers and
sound-repelling devices.
Each form of control has its own strengths:
Visual deterrents: Think
scarecrows. This category includes things such as plastic owls, shiny
tape and other objects that might give birds pause to dine from your
garden. These bird control methods are very cost effective. You just
have to remember that birds aren’t stupid – if you leave your plastic
owl in one place for too long, the birds will realize it’s a fake.
Taste aversions: If
you can’t keep them out, make it taste bad! These chemicals are sprayed
or applied to your garden to make the fruit, leaves and vegetables
unappetizing to birds. These sprays require re-applications, and make
sure you buy sprays that are safe for humans and birds.
Barriers: The
use of spikes, chemicals and netting to keep birds off of ledges, beams
and other areas is perhaps the most common form of bird control. Using
this tactic, you can deter birds from nesting or perching on your
property, making it more difficult for them to access your garden.
Sound repelling:
Outdoor devices emit sonic and ultrasonic sounds that only birds can
hear. These devices emit bird distress calls, predator calls and other
loud noises. Ultrasonic pulses emitted bother the birds, but are
unnoticeable to humans. These systems are easy to use and are highly
effective, but are generally also very expensive.
Bird netting:
Bird netting has been shown to be an effective and humane bird control
solution for a growing variety of commercial applications. It comes in
a number of colors, including white, stone and black. Black bird
netting provides natural U.V. protection and won't discolor when it
gets dirty and dusty. Installed properly, this type of bird netting is
almost invisible.
Bird
netting has been shown to be an effective and humane bird control
solution for a growing variety of commercial applications. It comes
in a number of colors, including white, stone and black. Black bird
netting provides natural U.V. protection and won't discolor when it
gets dirty and dusty. Installed properly, this type of bird netting is
almost invisible.
If
you're a facilities manager in charge of a hangar, warehouse or other
large building, and you can't afford the problems of pest birds
invading your space, it's easy to see why bird netting is such a viable
solution.
Question of the Week: How to get rid of Pigeon on roof?
Question:
I have had pigeons on my roof hanging out in a corner section for
approx. 5yrs. I need some advice on how to solve this problem. The area
is approx. 3ft wide and 5ft long. Help.
Answer: If you have
had pigeons in the same spot for five years, they are most likely
nesting there and will be very difficult to displace. Pigeons are
notorious for holding their ground, especially when they are allowed to
inhabit the same spot for years. First things first, the birds will
have to be scared away.
After the birds are gone… you will want
to extensively clean the area. Bird droppings do carry disease, so if
you are planning on cleaning this up yourself, you should take
precautions. Wear gloves and makes sure you wash your hands thoroughly
after cleaning the area. If you are living with a compromised immune
system, I would recommend hiring someone else to do the cleaning.
People will wet droppings down, and then scoop them off surfaces. Once
the droppings and nesting materials are cleared away, you will want to
disinfect the area. You can use a simple bleach and water or ammonia
and water solution for this. Once the cleanup is done, you will have to
block the birds from the area. This is the only way to keep them from
returning and trying to rebuild nests. People use netting, or screen to
block birds out. You will want to make sure that the edges are secured
tightly so that the birds cannot easily pull out the screen (They will
try). If all this sounds like too much, you can consider calling out a
local pest control company, most deal with pest bird problems
Different types of bird control:
- Visual deterrents: Scarecrows, plastic owls,
shiny tape and other objects make up this category. The items scare or deter birds from landing anywhere nearby. Visual deterrents are cheap and efficient. However, you must remember to change up your visual deterrents in order to keep the birds fooled.
- Barriers: Deter birds from nesting by using spikes, chemicals and netting to keep birds off of ledges,
beams and other surfaces. You can also use tarps and netting to provide protection for your garden.
Sound devices: You can buy devices that emit sonic and ultrasonic sounds that only birds can hear. Birds find these sounds to be unpleasant and will often flock elsewhere. Although these systems cost more than traditional bird control methods, they are highly efficient and completely undetectable by the human ear.
