Control birds effectively

Birds can create issues for FMs and damage buildings and the surrounding environment if not properly managed, explains Savvas Othon

2 June 2011
   
1⁄  Spread of disease
Wherever you are in the UK, you may be at risk of bird control issues; gulls and pigeons tend to cause the most trouble. Pigeons carry the widest range of diseases of any bird. Gulls are scavengers and particularly problematic due to their threatening and aggressive behaviour, particularly in breeding season which runs from April to September.
Birds may be an inconvenience but also present a health risk to staff and customers as they often feed from polluted sources such as rubbish dumps, bringing germs directly to human environments, including picnic tables or outside restaurant areas. The most common diseases carried by birds are Ornithosis and Salmonella.

2⁄ Damage to 
brickwork   
Birds can also cause considerable damage to buildings and pavements. Acidic bird droppings can eat away at stone and brickwork while nest debris and feathers can block gutters and drainage systems, leading to water penetration. Consistent erosion caused by the bacteria can result in irreversible damage to the structure of buildings and nesting materials can be an eyesore.
Features such as overhanging walls and flat roofs are all attractive landing areas for birds, so managers need to be even more vigilant in ensuring that birds are not able to settle permanently and become a nuisance.

3⁄  Preventative measures
If you are concerned that your property may be a hot spot for birds, it is worth considering some preventative actions to keep them at bay as prevention is better than cure when controlling birds. Tops tips include:
-  Remove any food sources from the immediate environment
-  Don’t wait until a population grows – the longer they are on site the harder they will be to combat. Egg and nest removal encourages birds to move on
l If birds have already become a problem, a site survey from a specialist bird consultant can help you keep your premises free from nuisance birds.

4⁄  Expert advice   
Even with the greatest will in the world, birds will sometimes get the better of your premises and then it’s important to call for expert help. In most countries, there are strict laws regarding the treatment of birds and there are also many groups that work to protect birds, as well as a general public affection for the animals. Therefore a sensitive approach is required by anyone looking to restrict their movement.

5⁄  Exclude and restrict birds
Taking such considerations into account, the pest control industry has developed a range of methods for preventing birds becoming problematic, focusing on the principles of exclusion and restriction. Some of the most commonly employed methods include wire or point deterrent systems. Wire strands and metal points are non-lethal and discreet ways in which birds can be prevented from settling on and around buildings, with benefits including a reduction in mess, noise, and the risk of infection 
to staff and customers. 
Other methods include netting systems to cover large areas, and metal spikes to protect beams 
and ledges. Both approaches 
are aimed at preventing birds 
from roosting.

6⁄  Check all areas   
While the above methods can be highly effective they can only be installed by experts. It is equally important that less visible areas do not become affected and regular, expert inspections are carried out. A common complaint from retail outlets in large shopping centres, is that bird noises can often be heard but their source cannot be found. Pest control professionals can help check hidden areas such as air conditioning systems and roof eaves, which are often found to house undetected nests.

7⁄  Natural solutions   
If you maintain a particularly difficult property that is near a landfill site or another type of industrial location, there is an entirely natural solution to deter even the most persistent of feathered pests. Raptors, or birds of prey, are specially trained and will help reduce the number of nests on site as the nuisance birds seek to find safer nesting locations.

8⁄  Call in the professionals   
These are just some of the effective ways to tackle a bird problem and by working with pest control professionals potential issues can be anticipated in advance. If you’re tackling a severe problem, contact the experts and do not attempt to solve the problem alone. It’s essential to take measures to combat the problem by safeguarding people and their surroundings. 

If you are concerned about a bird problem look out for the warning signs: 

1. Be observant – If you have areas where birds can nest, keep an eye out for nests and nesting materials on the ground.
2. Listen – Pay attention for noise from live birds, and bird cries, especially from young chicks.
3. Sightings – Adult birds will make frequent trips to feed their young and seek out food sources nearby.
4. Damage – If you notice any pecking damage, you may have a bird problem on your hands. Birds may be attempting to access food stocks or scavenge from rubbish bins.
5. Droppings – Perhaps one of the most common indicators is bird droppings. If you have a flock of birds present, it is likely that any fouling will be in 
a concentrated area, usually 
in the location in which the birds roost.

Savvas Othon is technical director at Rentokil Pest Control