July 1, 2020 / Media Mention / Facility Management
Birds are considered beneficial species for numerous reasons, including insect consumption, plant pollination and seed spreading, to name a few. Yet, there are some species of birds that are considered pests. This group of birds can contaminate food products, damage buildings with fecal deposits, and pose public health safety issues in some conditions.
Retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, food distribution centers and food plants can be negatively impacted by pest birds and the matter they leave behind. Feathers, feces, nesting materials, ectoparasites and pathogenic microbes associated with these birds establish them as a notable pest, and their presence should not be tolerated.
Bird Species Identification
Before choosing a bird control method, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Different species behave differently, and some are protected by law, which affects how they can be managed.
The “Big Three” Unprotected Species
Three species are responsible for most pest bird issues at commercial sites in the United States:
- Feral pigeon (Columba livia domestica): This is the most common urban pest bird. Pigeons gather in large numbers on ledges, rooftops, and loading docks, and their droppings build up quickly. Many commercial clients ask us for help with pigeon control.
- European starling (Sturnus vulgaris): These birds are highly adaptable and aggressive. Starlings gather in huge flocks and can take over a facility quickly.
- House sparrow (Passer domesticus): Small but persistent, sparrows nest in tight spaces such as vents, soffits, and sign cavities. Once they settle in, they are hard to remove.
These three species were brought to the U.S. and are not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can manage them without federal permits, but some states and cities have extra rules. Always check local guidelines before starting a control program.
Key Bird Management Tactics and Best Practices
Bird frightening, physical removal, deterrents, and exclusion are all effective bird control methods. Each of these approaches work under the right conditions, but many factors come into play when managing birds.
Bird pressure, site fidelity and alternative roost sites are major considerations bird management professionals must understand to manage established bird populations. Can the flock be moved to other sites? Are the birds nesting at the site? How long has the bird population been established? The more information a bird management professional can collect up front, the more successful they will be when implementing a control method.
Bird Frightening
Bird frightening can come in many forms. In some cases, highly trained dogs are used. When moving Canada geese from sites, the dogs chase the geese away from their foraging, resting and nesting grounds. However, this needs to be done over a period of a few days and requires up to four weeks to condition the geese that the site is not safe for them or their offspring. Long-term resident geese are especially stubborn and usually require multiple harassment visits from dogs.
Other forms of bird frightening include noisemakers, such as air horns, propane bird “cannons” and predatory bird calls. Each of these frightening tools can work, but the situation must be analyzed prior to their installation. More importantly, their limitations must be understood by the bird management professional.
For instance, predatory bird calls (termed bioacoustics by researchers) are one of the most frequently used bird harassment tools used by the general public. It is common for pest management professionals to arrive at a commercial site and hear a predatory bird call system wailing in the background as the client purchased “a good deal” online.
The effectiveness of predatory bird calls is limited, and they are often improperly installed by the consumer. They can also be ineffective as birds quickly condition themselves to the recorded calls.
It is important to note that bird call systems can work for small sites and short periods of time, although this is usually less than one week. Additionally, several manufacturers advertise their ultrasonic devices as effective bird deterrence systems, but there is little to no science to substantiate these claims. In fact, birds do not hear in the ultrasonic range so these types of devices will not scare birds or be effective. Buyer beware!
Physical Removal
Some situations call for more drastic bird pest control methods, where the birds need to be physically removed from a structure. Even with the best-sealed structures, single birds do find their way into grocery stores, food warehouses, food plants and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Pest birds cannot be tolerated in these environments and must be removed as quickly as possible to prevent product contamination. Mist netting and aggressive harvesting are two common methods bird management professionals employ in their day-to-day operations when birds find their way inside commercial buildings.
Mist net kits are comprised of two telescoping poles (typically 18-24 feet in length) that support a fine mist net between each pole. Mist nets vary in widths with 20-foot wide nets the most used. The poles have hooks and magnets to attach to trusses and other ceiling structures so the poles can be hung near ceilings in bird flight paths. Mist net kits can also be modified to be used at lower levels when birds are foraging near or at ground level. An experienced mist net installer can quickly catch and release birds unharmed, especially in smaller retail stores.
When mist netting is not feasible, aggressive harvesting through the use of high-end air rifles is employed. It is oftentimes impractical to use mist nets in large distribution centers and food plants when the client needs the bird(s) eliminated quickly. Only experienced bird management professionals trained in the safe use of air rifles should be allowed to carry out aggressive harvesting measures. Clients must be involved in this process to ensure their personnel are removed from shooting areas and their employees are informed of the operation. Persons involved in aggressive harvesting must know state and local laws prior to using air rifles in commercial structures.
Aggressive harvesting can only be performed on house sparrows, European starlings or feral pigeons. All other bird species are protected, and therefore, state wildlife agencies need to be contacted prior to aggressive harvesting. Most states will require humane bird removal methods be exhausted prior to issuing bird depredation permits. As can be observed, personnel responsible for aggressive harvesting must be able to identify pest birds to species level to avoid public relation issues and potential regulatory fines.
Deterrents and Exclusion
Bird deterrents and exclusion techniques are also used by pest management professionals. Cable and turnbuckle netting systems, post and tension wires, shock tracks, ledge-altering slides and spikes are just a few of the exclusion and deterrent systems used by bird management professionals. Exclusion techniques, when feasible, provide the best long-term approach for pest birds, especially in urban environments where bird pressures can be extremely high.
Cable and turnbuckle systems, when installed correctly, can provide 100% relief from pest birds. Loading docks, canopies, and overhangs are ideal candidates for cable and turnbuckle netting system installations.
It is important for clients to vet the competence of bird net installers prior to hiring them. Asking for references to review the outcome of previous netting jobs is crucial. Inexperienced or poorly trained netting installers can overlook or improperly install netting on corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas where netting systems are vulnerable to bird intrusions. Poorly installed netting can result in dead birds inside nets, client complaints, public relations issues, and unnecessary, costly callbacks.
Shock track deterrent systems are another good option for high-pressure bird situations. Shock tracks can be installed on building ledges and edges where birds frequent, such as parapet walls, exterior signage and ornamental facades. These systems are powered by solar charging units or direct plug in chargers.
Those who choose these deterrents must remember that shock tracks use electricity and may not be suitable for every environment (e.g., distilleries, gasoline station canopies, dusty environments). Annual maintenance contracts should be included with shock track systems as they are prone to weather exposure and damage from contractors working near them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Management
What Factors Should Be Considered Before Choosing a Bird Management Strategy?
The species must be considered because it helps us determine which methods are legally available and which are most likely to work. Beyond that, key factors include the level of bird pressure, the length of time the population has been established, whether birds are nesting or just roosting, and whether alternative sites are nearby.
Why Is a Site-Specific Approach Important for Effective Bird Management?
Every building is different. The layout, materials, surrounding environment, and bird species all influence which methods will work. A strategy that delivers results at a retail shopping center may be completely wrong for a food processing plant. That’s why we always start with an on-site inspection before recommending anything.
How Do Bird Behavior and Population Patterns Impact Control Success?
Bird pressure, site fidelity, and the availability of alternative roost sites are major variables. Established flocks, especially those nesting at a site for multiple seasons, are significantly more difficult to relocate than transient birds. Understanding these patterns helps our technicians set realistic expectations and select methods that address the root cause rather than just its symptoms.
What Legal or Regulatory Considerations Apply to Managing Pest Birds?
House sparrows, European starlings, and feral pigeons are not federally protected and can generally be managed without permits. Most other species — including gulls, swallows, geese, and crows — are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and require state or federal permits for active management. Some states also have stricter local regulations.
Contact Your Local Bird Control Experts
Pest bird management is a specialized discipline. It requires expertise in bird biology and behavior, the ability to assess a site accurately, and the experience to design and implement effective, long-term programs. When executed properly, it protects your goods, reputation, and bottom line.
Whether you are dealing with pigeons on a loading dock, starlings in a warehouse, or sparrows nesting in signage, our technicians have the expertise to assist. Contact us to schedule a free pest inspection to get started.