In parks and gardens, birds are a welcomed part of nature. Under certain conditions, birds can be a nuisance, destructive, costly, and even dangerous. When it comes to commercial properties, the presence of bird pests can negatively affect one’s business. Taking the proper measures to keep birds away is important to avoid all types of issues from structural damage to being totally shut down by government agencies.
Threats to Commercial Businesses
Birds are a year-round occurrence and may never cause problems. However, especially during spring months, their behavior can lead to all sorts of problems that business owners never anticipated. Unless the problem is addressed, commercial buildings and facilities could be faced with any of the following:
- Structural damage
- Liability issues
- Health risks
- Ongoing expenses
- Hefty fines
- Business shut down
It’s imperative that commercial business owners tackle bird infestation problems as soon as they are noticed. This includes owners of grocery stores, restaurants, office buildings, manufacturing plants, stadiums, schools, and more. Many businesses have been fined and shut down by government agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA).
Problems Caused by Pest Birds
The most common issues faced by owners of commercial businesses are due to the natural biology and behaviors of birds. The following characteristics of birds can lead to issues faced by business owners:
- Bird nesting
- Bird droppings
- Bird noise
- Bird diseases
Bird nesting is a top problem because nests often block chimneys, ventilation, drains, and gutters; and they have been known to cause fires. While not necessarily harmful, birds can make a lot of noise leaving an unappealing environment. Bird droppings cause more serious problems because they are acidic and slippery. On various materials, droppings can cause a great deal of damage; on walkways and stairs, they can cause people to slip and fall. Lastly, geese, house sparrows, pigeons, starlings are known carriers of numerous diseases (some fatal) and parasites.
Exclusion of Bird Pests
While an understanding of birds and their nesting, perching, and roosting behavior helps, exclusion is not an easy task. Removing and keeping birds away can be complicated and often entail multiple approaches. The following solutions are effective and commonly used by professionals:
- Bird dropping disinfection
- Exclusionary spikes
- Bird netting or exclusionary nets
- Rotating steel rods (Daddi Long Legs)
- Electronic deterrent systems or shock strips
- Wire screens and caulking
The actual problems caused by birds vary depending on the type of birds, the season, the location, the structural aspects, and other factors. Just the mere sight of numerous birds and their droppings can give others a bad impression of a business. When out of control, birds can cause millions of dollars in damage and put others at risk. Commercial business owners can avoid issues by employing a range of bird exclusion tools.