Bird Control & Removal
The most common birds that become pests include the house sparrow, starlings, pigeons, and woodpeckers. They can cause costly damage to buildings and agriculture. Birds roosting in human communities may cause annoying noise levels, offensive bird droppings, odor problems, and a risk of disease.
- Diseases associated with birds may include the Avian Influenza and West Nile virus.
- Bird nests can plug rain gutters, damage machinery, and create electrical hazards in electrical fixtures and attics.
Effective Control Measures:
When dealing with house sparrows and starlings, typical roosting sites may include attics, soffits, and broken vents. Once the species of the bird has been properly identified, a bird baffle is recommended to be installed to release the birds from an unwanted area. A bird baffle is a one way flap where birds are permitted to leave but cannot re-enter. Challenges arise in the spring when babies begin to hatch. The bird baffle is generally left installed for 2 days. Once the bird(s) have left the roost, the bird baffle is removed and the area is screened or sealed completely. It is important to repair additional potential entry points to prevent further nesting. Certain geographical locations have greater concentrations of pigeons. Pigeons are typically found on flat roofs but can also be found within attics. Depending on the number of pigeons and locations of their roost will determine the best method for removing them from an unwanted area. In large roosting sites in may be necessary to trap and remove versus installing bird baffles. Bird spikes may also be utilized to prevent birds from roosting on ledges. When dealing with woodpeckers, it is important to understand that these are protected birds. Woodpeckers generally damage homes through their persistent pecking. Measures can be taken to prevent these occurrences through bird baffles, and mylar tape installed around the home.