These two globe lights demonstrate the obvious difference between using bird spikes as a bird deterrent and allowing birds to land freely. The acidic nature of the bird droppings will eventually cause major problems to globe on the left. Photo: Nixalite

Birds are pests that cause millions of dollars in damage every year to buildings, work vehicles, roofs, benches and sidewalks on the landscapes you care for.

Bird droppings and nesting materials accumulate and pose a number of problems that go beyond their unsightliness. Over time they can lead to safety and public health problems.

Structural Damage

Bird droppings are very acidic in nature. They actually eat away at many tar-based roofing materials and over time can cause leaks. Consequently, the life of a roof can be cut in half by just a light, but continuous, application of bird waste. Droppings can also do great damage to air conditioning equipment, industrial machinery, siding, insulation, etc. Pigeon, starling and sparrow nests are often built in rain gutters, drains and corners of roofs where drains are located. The build up of these nests can lead to structure damage and even roof collapse, when drainage systems are blocked and standing water is allowed to rise just six inches.

These bird spikes from Bird-X are some of the many types of spikes on the market that block pest birds from landing on roofs, ledges, windowsills, building projections, signs, statues, trusses and beams. Photo: Pestco Service Company

Targeting pigeons and made of stainless steel, nylon coated wire attached to stainless steel posts and tensioned using springs, wire systems like this are used for long, exposed ledges, parapets, signs, beams and pipes. Photo: Pestco Service Company

Vehicle Damage

Most bird droppings, but especially pigeon and gull, will fade paint finishes of lawn mowers and utility vehicles by actually eating into the protective coating and the paint itself. The longer the droppings are allowed to sit on the paint, the more damage it will do.

Fire/Health Hazards

Nesting materials are usually very flammable due to their construction of straw, twigs and dried droppings. When birds build their nests inside machinery there is a great risk of fire. In addition, workers are exposed to a dangerous health-risk any time they work in or around areas of heavy bird droppings.

Diseases Caused by Pest Birds

A pigeon nest plays host to many parasites and diseases that can easily be passed to humans. The general public?EUR??,,????'???s affection toward birds translates into a serious underestimation of the health risks associated with pest birds. People who would never tolerate a colony of rats living in their attic will turn a blind eye towards pigeons entrenched in the rafters of their roof. Yet, in terms of disease and damage, the two pests are quite similar.

The pigeon, starling and house sparrow have learned to thrive living in our buildings and eating our food. Their adaptation to our communities has brought them into close proximity to humans. These three non-native birds have become a major nuisance in our cities and they pose a serious health risk.

By definition, geese are not classified as pest birds and are afforded protection by federal and state agencies. Nonetheless, they are increasingly becoming the scourge of college campuses and areas of large landscape. Their numbers have grown in the past decade from only a few thousand to hundreds of thousands. In fact, the familiar V shaped squadron of honking geese heading south is becoming a rare sight. Country Clubs and business parks offer pristinely manicured lawns and ponds providing an ideal habitat and effectively modifying their migration cycle. Geese are opportunistic and easily exploit the new easy living conditions found in an urban environment.

Direct Contact with Droppings

Infection can occur when a worker gets fecal dust or droppings in an open wound or cut. This commonly occurs when handling old rusty, sharp porcupine wire ledge products which are covered with bird feces. The wound site becomes red, puffy and puss-filled. Antibiotics are often needed to cure the infection. In some rare cases, infection of the blood (Septis) or internal infection can also occur causing serious illness or death. Proper attire and care must always be used when cleaning a bird site or installing bird control products. If a cut or injury occurs, thoroughly wash and disinfect the wound and cover with a sterile bandage to minimize risk of infection.

There are a wide variety of solutions available for handling a pigeon infestation. The best solution for pigeon problems is complete exclusion with a 2” mesh net. Many ledge problems can be solved by using products such as coils, spikes, as well as electrical shock devices. When bird pressure is heavy in an area, exclusion work must be accompanied by flock dispersal methods like trapping or use of moving predator effigies like the Rotating Screech Owl. Flock dispersal alone is not a long term solution especially in medium-heavy pressure situations like when there are food/water/shelter sources at the site.

Associated Parasites

Over 40 types of parasites live either on the birds, in their nests or in the places they roost. They are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents. These diseases include plague, encephalitis, pox and meningitis. Control of these parasites is a crucial phase of the bird control project. Paradoxically, this threat can be aggravated when bird control products are installed. Unless the parasites are exterminated when the birds are excluded from a site, the mites, fleas, ticks etc. will seek a new host, often the human inhabitants. Therefore, a proper bird control project will always include parasite extermination.

Bird Control

Bird control is the generic name for methods to eliminate or deter pest birds from landing, roosting and nesting. Methods of bird control include physical deterrents, psychological deterrents, chemicals and sonic/ultrasonic devices, among others.

Sparrows are most effectively controlled by excluding them from an area with metal netting, making sure there are no gaps or crevices for the birds to pass through. The only ledge deterrent systems that are truly effective against sparrows are electrified ledge systems that use an intermittent pulse. Some traps do work, the best having an elevated second chamber that keeps the birds happy and so content that they actually sing, attracting others to the trap. When practical, the trapping program should be combined with a nest removal program that will greatly reduce the population over time.

Techniques

• Physical bird deterrents include such products as spike systems, bird netting, shock deterrents, spring wire systems, sound deterrents and chemical repellers. These products will not harm birds and are used widely throughout the U.S. and the world.
• Psychological deterrents use Paavlovian conditioning to produce aversive behaviour. For example each time a bird enters an area deterrents are activated. The bird then associates the area with danger.
• Chemical deterrents range from products for turf to avicides. Many towns and municipalities have restrictions on the use of chemicals and pesticides targeted at birds if they intend to kill them. Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere.
• Sonic bird deterrents are used widely in large open areas. Sounds are audible, and include predator and distress calls of a variety of birds to discourage pest birds from coming into an area. Common locations for these devices include vineyards, reclamation plants, airports and other open areas.
• Ultrasonic devices are designed for enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. Ultrasonic waves prevent birds from entering and remaining in areas such as warehouses, parking garages and loading docks. These products are not harmful to birds.

Sources: Bird B Gone, Bird Barrier

Starlings rank just behind pigeons and sparrows as an urban bird pest. Starlings can be a nuisance in both urban and rural areas due to their nesting, eating and living habits. When the bird is in its flocking phase, thousands of starlings often overwhelm buildings and trees. Large scale buildup of feces from these flocks can lead to structural damage. The uric acid in the feces can corrode stone, metal and masonry. Gutters and drainage pipes clogged with starling nests often backup, causing extensive water damage. The bacteria, fungal agents and parasites in the feces also pose a health risk.

Bird Pest Cleanup

Municipalities and campuses must be concerned with meeting federal, state and local cleanliness requirements when cleaning up a bird pest site. In addition, a dropping-splattered area gives the impression that you and your crew do not care about the way your buildings and landscape look, or simply did a poor job at cleaning.

It is not enough to deter birds and remove their droppings, it is crucial to exterminate all the ectoparasites and thoroughly disinfect the site.

Proper Steps

1. Bag and remove loose layers of droppings. (Be sure to wear protective coveralls, gloves and respiratory equipment when cleaning any bird site). At all sites, debris and other nesting materials should be shoveled into double bagged heavy duty garbage bags and disposed of properly.
2. To remove remaining stubborn droppings, there are a number of products on the market that can be applied to break down the remaining stains and allow them to be wiped clean or washed away.
3. Follow with a clean water rinse.
4. After area is clear of droppings, apply a hospital grade virucide/ germicide to kill any remaining bacteria.