Birds

Birds are a wonderful and necessary part of our life. They can provide enjoyment, have aesthetic appeal and also play an essential part of our ecosystem. Birds can also play an important role as indicators of the health of the overall environment . . . a bit like the canary in the coal mine.

However birds can also cause problems both for businesses and individuals. They can cause property damage with their nesting and droppings, be a hazard to passers-by during their nesting season and in the worst case, birds can also spread diseases to man. For these reasons, it’s important to realise that there are times when it may be necessary to implement a bird control strategy for the safety of you, your workers and your family. Perth Pest Control are licensed to undertake a full range of bird control methods and would be happy to provide a solution for your bird control problem.

 SPECIES OF BIRDS POSING PROBLEMS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

There are numerous species of birds in Western Australia that can cause issues to varying degrees in businesses and public locations however by far and away the most common bird species we see requiring control in our area are the following:

Pigeon – the common pigeon (or Rock Pigeon) is found all over Australia. Some breeds of pigeon are kept by fanciers for racing or show however most of the pigeons seen around Western Australia are feral birds where they exist primarily as scavengers. They, like most birds, happily coexist with humans and in fact our actions quite often attract them. They can be found anywhere from recreational parks to industrial sites and of course inner city locations. Prolific breeders, pigeons will typically lay eggs all year round and their nests can be found on protected, or semi-protected, roof ledges.

Seagull – a common sight around waterways, beaches, rivers and the like, seagulls have adapted their ways to become, primarily, a scavenger that survives on pestering humans for food scraps and searching for refuse from rubbish tips. Seagulls tend to nest in offshore islands or in areas of vegetation around water bodies. Twice a year seagulls will make a brood of 2 – 4 in a ground based nest consisting mainly of local vegetation.

Dove – the common dove that can be seen anywhere in rural or metro areas, is actually an introduced species. Doves eat various grains, seeds, small berries and fruits and occasionally small bugs and worms. Doves are ubiquitous and can often be seen in large flocks that congregate on rooftops, overhead wires, TV antennae and by the side of roads. Doves breed all year round and their nests tend to be located in branches of trees and shrubs.

THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY BIRDS

There are varying degrees of problems caused by birds from stealing food scraps from unwary party goers through to damage to heavy machinery and even the transmission of diseases so having an awareness of bird activity in your area and knowing there is a local company that’s experienced in bird control is a must. Some of the specific problems caused by birds is detailed below:

Roof Damage

Bird droppings have a very acidic content and accumulation of the droppings on rooftops over a period of time, can cause corrosion on metal rooves and gutters and subsequently water leakage may occur. This may be particularly dangerous, and costly, in a warehouse for example. As well, some birds (eg pigeons) can build their nests in nooks and crannies on rooves such as in the gutters and may result in clogged drainage systems and water damage.

 Damage To Machinery

Typically air conditioning units are located on rooftops and the acidic content of bird faeces can cause corrosion and further damage to these units with an associated costly repair bill ensuing. Another example of the corrosive effects of avian faeces is not uncommon in the motor vehicle industry where cars may be stored, or displayed, outside. Droppings on the body of a car have caused damage to the paint finish which also results in expensive repair costs to the vehicle.

 Product And Packaging Damage

Birds flying into warehouses, factories and under loading bays can cause numerous problems. Food awaiting loading (eg bread) is commonly destroyed by birds. Birds will typically fly into a warehouse and nest high in the roof depositing faeces on products and pallets below and apart from the physical damage, this can also present health problems for workers. Bird nests, in this situation, can also present a fire risk particularly if located near electrical systems and in fact electrical sign companies attribute a lot of the fires they have in their products to bird presence.

 Damage To The Aviation Industry

The ingestion of a bird, or birds, into the engine of a plane can, and has, caused catastrophic accidents and for this reason, airport managers are extremely conscious of any bird populations in the vicinity of the airport, and the need to control the numbers of birds in the vicinity of the airport.

Damage To Crops

Some bird pests will freely consume crops which, in a commercial venture, can be extremely financially damaging to a business. Birds eating grain crops as well as grapes, apples, cherries and similar food crops, are extremely common and a major problem for farmers.

Personal Safety

Bird droppings on footpaths, door entrances and stairs can be hazardous as pedestrians may slip. Quiet, rarely used areas such as fire escape landings are popular havens for pigeons and doves and it’s not uncommon to see a build of droppings in these spots. Over time this build-up of faeces can be odoriferous and the resultant foul smell will attract unwanted insects and bacteria.

Disease Transmission

Transmission of disease by birds is quite common with possibly the most infamous of these being Avian Influenza commonly known as bird flu. Other lesser known strains of disease are also transmitted by birds and these include:

Histplasmosis and cryptococcocis – fungal infections carried within the droppings of seagulls

Salmonella – also present in the area of pigeon and gull defecation

Psittacosis – airborne transmission of bacteria from dried droppings or handling feathers of an infected pigeon or gull

There are a number of other diseases transmitted by birds and a keen awareness of the potential risk of this is important.

BIRD PEST MANAGEMENT
There are a number of methods employed in the control of a bird problem for either residential customers, with bird problems around their home, through to commercial and industrial customers. These methods can range from passive deterrents through to more active (and sometimes more lethal) systems where a large, or increased, bird population is providing a risk for human safety. Perth Pest Control are licensed bird management specialists and can advise and implement any of the following strategies:

Bird Proofing
When a bird presence is found inside a factory or warehouse for example, the initial recommendation by us would be to make sure your premises are properly proofed. Bird will enter through any open areas that may be under eaves or through doors and windows and blocking any such entry points is crucial in isolating the bird problem.

Netting
Purpose built netting can be installed to exclude birds from entering your premises. Large open loading bays, warehouses and sporting stadiums for example may provide many opportunities for bird entry and netting specifically designed for that location to stop a particular bird may be essential. The netting is made from a UV stabilised material and is a good long term solution.

Spiking
This method is used to stop birds landing on a ledge, top of a building etc. They are essentially stainless steel spikes supported in a plastic base. The spikes are positioned at a range of angles making it impossible for birds to land on that spot. Spiking also, is a good long term solution for bird control. It is now used in places like airports, CBD buildings and large sign installations that require an effective long term, low maintenance bird control solution.

Bird Post & Wire System
Similar in function to the bird spiking system in that it effectively prevents birds landing on a particular location such as the ledge of a building. The system incorporates stainless steel posts with sprung loaded stainless steel wires between them. The ‘springy’ effect of the wires makes it extremely uncomfortable for a bird to land. This method of bird control is perhaps more aesthetically pleasing than the spiking system and suits building ledges that may be at a low level or require a method that is visually less obtrusive than the spiked system.

Electric Wire System
A method of bird control that incorporates a metal strip or track that is attached onto a ledge of a building for example. Works along the lines of the bird spikes and post and wire system in that it makes for a very uncomfortable landing zone for a bird. A low level electric current is passed through the wires to deter a bird from landing and although this method can be effective, it requires more maintenance than the other deterrents.

Baiting
A more aggressive approach is sometimes needed for bird control particularly where there is a congregation of a large number of birds such as in a vineyard or grain storage area. An avian attractive bait is used laced with a strong narcotic additive that will render a bird unconscious for removal and is an effective bird control method.

Shooting
This method, as the name implies, is a more lethal method of bird control than the other systems we provide however in some circumstances it is the only solution. Not for control of large numbers of birds but more for the instance where 2 or 3 birds have entered a business premise and their actions may prove a safety hazard for workers inside. Our licensed shooter will conduct a survey of your site and detail the safest and most effective way to eliminate the bird problem present

Perth Pest control is fully licensed to perform all the methods of bird pest control detailed above. We are a professional company that guarantees all our work with industry leading warranties. If you would like further suggestions on how to eliminate the bird problem on your premises, or for a free onsite assessment and recommendation, please contact us for more information.