Birds, particularly birds that live in large flocks, can cause significant problems for a home or business owner. They can physically damage the fabric of a property, as well as leaving waste products which could pose a health hazard. Birds flock and grow in size quickly, meaning that bird control measures should be adopted as soon as a potential problem becomes apparent.
Bird Hazards:
- Bird flocks can damage the very structure of the building. Damaging roof tiles, blocking guttering and defacing woodwork
- Droppings can damage vehicles and buildings. Walkways and entrances can be made dangerous and slippery.
- Birds can cause a physical nuisance to staff and customers, as well as passing on diseases such as E.Coli and Salmonella.
Avian Diseases
Birds can harbour and transmit several unpleasant and potentially life-threatening diseases. Pigeons and seagulls are host to a variety of ticks, mites and fleas, which through their droppings and nests can be spread to humans.
- E.coli can cause septicaemia and gastroenteritis. It is a potentially fatal disease often found in seagulls.
- Lung damaging diseases such as Psittacosis can be passed on simply from inhaling bacteria harboured in feathers or dried dung.
- Salmonella is a disease commonly found in birds and easily transmitted disease with potentially deadly consequences.
- Various severe fungal infections can be transmitted by birds, including cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis.
- A number of parasites, including those that feed on blood, can be passed from birds to humans.
Bird infestation
Gulls and pigeons have developed a close relationship with human beings and have learnt how to survive by means of utilising our buildings, scavenging our food and avoiding our best efforts to deter them.
Here a just a few of the ways that birds have adapted to co-existing alongside us, while simultaneously causing us problems:
- They can nest in very inaccessible parts of buildings. Creating additional pest control difficulties.
- Gulls like to flock on flat roofs; which is another reason to deal immediately when gulls infestation is in its early stages.
- Numerous architectural features found commonly in buildings provide ideal habitats for birds. Ledges, guttering, balconies and culverts all prove irresistible to birds such as gulls and pigeons.
- Even a thumb-sized gap in a building provides room for birds to enter and nest.
- Pigeons love nesting in roof spaces, damaging tiles, soiling the roof space and in some cases fouling water tanks and therefore household supply.
Dealing with a bird problem promptly and professionally is important. Summit recommends that if an infestation is discovered, immediate action be taken.
Bird Restriction Methods
The problems caused by birds are almost as varied as the types of species of bird. Thus there are a wide variety of bird proofing methods available to Summit Pest Control clients. The solutions we employ are dependent on the client requirements, the individual situation and the type of structure where birds are creating problems. We are industry leaders in the surveying and proofing of buildings against bird ingress.
Types of bird proofing provided:
Bird Spikes
Often used, in window sills, ledges and pipework; spikes are a physical deterrent that prevents birds from accessing or soiling specific areas.
Wire and Pin Systems
These are a close relative of the bird spike, but provide a more discreet solution to bird deterrent.
Bird Mesh and Netting
Netting and mesh is a widely used method in the preventive of bird access. It provides one of the most effective and relatively cheap ways of covering large areas. It is highly versatile and is commonly used for the protection of loading bays, air-conditioning units as well as other types of plant and machinery.
Bird Deterrent Balls and floating Covers
The combination of floating covers and deterrent balls are used to camouflage areas of water. They are a highly effective means of preventing loss of fish stock or the soiling of reservoirs and other bodies of water where bird activity is considered undesirable.
Ultra Sonic Deterrent
Ultrasonic devices are utilized to stop an assortment of pests. They are most generally used to dissuade birds that carry diseases, for example, West Nile or E. Coli. The most common repulsed birds include: pigeons, seagulls, grackles, sparrows, woodpeckers, starlings, ducks, and geese.
While the ultrasonic device is ideal for an assortment of birds, it is likewise powerful in repulsing bats, rodents, and other little critters. The frequency on the device may need to be altered to successfully repulse these vermin.
