Most business owners are aware of the problems associated with birds. Canadian geese and pigeons cause the most problems. Healthy adult Canadian geese can produce one and a half pounds of fecal matter per day – sometimes more – and pigeon feathers and droppings can clog drains and ruin ventilation systems. Nothing looks worse then a lawn or building covered in droppings, and slip-and-fall incidents can result in major lawsuits.
Not only are droppings a physical and aesthetic scare, but they’re also a health risk. Birds carry over 60 diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with fecal matter. Dried droppings turn into an airborne dust that, when inhaled, can cause a myriad of diseases like histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, both of which can be fatal. There are also the better-known threats of E. coli or salmonella.
The wide-open spaces of simple landscapes and parking lots attract both pigeons and geese. Making a halfhearted attempt at bird control is not going to make the property less appealing. Killing or poisoning gets rid of only the current crop; future dwellers will flock to the area once they realize it is available. Habitat modification is key to long-term bird control.
Sound devices
There are two types of sound devices: sonic and ultrasonic. Good sonic devices are programmable and give off animal distress calls, creating the illusion of a nearby predator. Similar to a warning, it detects danger and urges pests to stay away. Some devices have up to eight distress calls and can be timed to turn on and off at certain times. Calls differ in frequency, duration and intervals. Periods of silence can also be programmed.
Ultrasonic sound devices emit sounds beyond the human threshold of hearing capabilities. It is harsh but harmless, annoying pests to the point that they do not want to be in the area. Adjustable frequencies, warble rate and speaker sequencing will keep the critters guessing so they will not become acclimated to the noise.
Roost inhibitors
Netting seals off all structural openings and other havens. It is lightweight and pliable with very little upkeep, and it will not deteriorate with age or lose strength when exposed to the elements. It can be used nearly anywhere and is effective in keeping away many types of pest birds and small animals.
Spikes make surfaces uneven so birds cannot set up shop. Birds avoid spikes the way humans avoid walking barefoot on glass or a bed of nails. They work very well on ledges, gutters, pipes, beams, trusses, support structures and sills. Spikes are available in stainless steel and polycarbonate.
Gels and spikes are similar in that they can be used in the same places and have the same effect, but the gel is basically undetectable by humans. It is non-toxic and harmless to metal structures, sealed masonry and ornamental metals. Birds avoid it like humans avoid wet tar.
Visual scares
Visual scares run the gamut – from plastic coyotes, owls and alligators to Mylar balloons with holographic eyes to strobe lighting. If used correctly, in conjunction with other devices, they are very effective in keeping birds and other pests and critters at bay.
Taste and smell aversions
Chemical repellants can be sprayed on anything pesty animals like to munch on. One chemical that is especially unappealing to birds is methyl anthranilate, which is a fragrant liquid found in essential oils and grape juice, and has been used for decades by the food and drug industry to flavor candy, gum, sodas and drugs. Most of the chemical repellants are water resistant and all of them are harmless to the environment and the animals.
Correct bird control can save an association thousands in lawsuits, clean-up costs and labor. Any of these suggestions will go a long way in making properties bird-free. The best way, though, is to attack multiple senses at once. If a variety of these tactics are employed correctly, you can say bye-bye to birdie.
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Author : Sharon Steed
Company : Bird-X Inc.
Sharon Steed is a media correspondent with Bird-X Inc.
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