Pest bird Control solutions and deterrents for bird problems

The domestic pigeon, a thirty million-year evolutionary success story, is a descendant of the European rock dove. Common throughout the world, the pigeon is now regarded as the primary urban pest bird. Originally introduced as a "domesticated" bird, the rock dove's natural habitat was on rocky cliffs with protective ledges. By contrast, today's "street" pigeon seeks a similar architectural nook as an overnight roost: recessed window ledges, eaves, parking garages and billboards. Daytime lofting sites run the gamut, from balconies to billboards.

Since pigeons mate for life and have a voracious sexual appetite (starting as early as four months of age), it is not unusual for a pair to produce more than 10 young per year. The squabs are air-borne within two months and generally roost in the same area. It does not take long before the flock number increases dramatically. With a life span of 10 or more years. no city-dwelling predators, and an unending food supply, the population increases exponentially. 

The street pigeon, unlike any other species, will soil its own nest. Their droppings cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to property.

Feathered Pests in Society

Bird lovers abound in every city. Feeding the birds provides a pleasant diversion to city dwellers deprived of "wildlife". There is a certain mystique associated with birds; witness the "little old lady in the park" with her bag of popcorn feeding the pigeons. Realistically, these aptly named air rats, through their droppings, are carriers of several serious diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis and salmonella. Pigeons are also the hosts for various parasites such as fleas and ticks.

Not all of the blame is due to pigeons. Starlings, numbering in the thousands, are not an uncommon sight at power plants, city parks and office buildings. Seagulls in coastal areas (and moving increasingly inland) will often occupy an entire acre-sized roof or parking lot.

More alarming are the instances of bird strikes to aircraft. Damage to aircraft exceeds $50,000,000 annually. In a futile attempt to prevent bird strikes at JFK Airport, the USDA killed 28,000 gulls. Within a year, 14,000 had re nested owing to adjacent breeding grounds.

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Aquatic and flocking birds cause an estimated $100,000,000 of damage to United States agriculture annually. Even the seemingly innocent house sparrow causes enormous problems for the food industry. An extremely agile and intelligent bird, the sparrow will "hitch a ride" on a forklift to gain entry to a bird proofed building.

Bird Management

The variety of species of birds, and their ability to adapt to any architectural environment, has brought businesses affected by bird droppings to the brink of the "bird wars." The field general against this onslaught rightfully is the pest control industry. Pest control operators are required by state and/or federal law to maintain a more-than passing knowledge of bird behavioral patterns and acceptable control measures. Until recently, the pest control operators' arsenal consisted of sticky gels, "porcupine spines" (inferior netting), and the use of toxic baits.

The Europeans, beset with more than their share of bird problems (annual costs exceed $10,000,000 in the United Kingdom alone), have entered the fray with an impressive array of sophisticated, state-of-the-art bird control systems, such as the low-profile post and tension ed wire and one-piece "invisible" netting systems.

Health and Legal Concerns

Prior to undertaking any bird proofing, the infected area must be clean. Removal of bird droppings can be hazardous to your health and must be conducted safely and expeditiously. Protective clothing and use of a respirator is recommended. Also, it should be noted that migratory birds and endangered species are protected by a myriad of federal, state and local regulations.

Historical and Aesthetic Considerations

A study of bird deterrent systems in 1980 performed for the General Services Administration (GSA by the architectural firm of Cooper-Lecky found that neither audio repulsion, "scare" devices, nor poison baiting have a long-term effect on pigeons and starlings in an urban environment. The study also concluded that most tactile deterrent systems are harmful and ineffective.

The ideal bird deterrent system should be inconspicuous and chemically compatible with the building components. The system should be reversible so that, if removed, the building could be restored to its original state. Moreover, the system must be easily accessible for building maintenance.

Control Measures

Among the popular methods of population reduction are the use of toxicants mixed with grains, and shooting or live trapping. These techniques are labor-intensive and usually prompt an adverse public reaction. Moreover, the removal of a portion of the flock creates a vacuum effect. As birds are then less abundant, there is less competition for food and shelter, and the remaining birds respond by increasing their breeding. Also, birds from other areas move in to exploit the extra food supply. An endless cycle begins with pigeons breeding and repopulating an area just as quickly as they can be killed. Accordingly, it makes more sense to concentrate on prevention and bird proofing.

Choice of Bird proofing System

All systems have advantages and disadvantages, and often, a combination of several systems is necessary, particularly when the area to be treated is a protected overnight roost. Over the last few years, the quality of bird proofing materials has improved dramatically and a number of new anti-roosting systems have come on the market. An overview of these products is given below.

Visual and audio devices such as owls or snakes and ultrasonic signals are low cost items and generally produce low results as birds quickly figure out that a stationary "predator" is not a threat. Also, the EPA has decreed that ultrasonic devices are totally worthless.  When possible combine audio systems with visual deterrents because birds have a highly developed sense of sight and are particularly alert to moving and brightly colored objects. The Rotating Attack Eagle Bird Deterrent moves in the wind and will scare away new problem birds. Inflated "scare eye" balloons, Holographic repel strips, mylar tape that move with the wind produce a startle effect that will dissuade native birds, but not pigeons, on a short-term basis from a given area, especially if accompanied by an alarm and/or predator calls. A new and very successful product is the Holographic Bird Scare Guardian Owl. The bright flash of the unique holographic / iridescent feather pattern, large eyes and movement deters the most persistent bird from destroying personal property.
Another new option for woodpecker & swallow problems is the Optical Bird Gel Repellent which affects all pest bird species by triggering multiple sensory responses. First, the material emits a UV light to make it appear as a flame to approaching birds. Stick the pre-loaded dishes near and around the pest bird problem areas! Also try placing the Gull-Cat Bird Deterrent Scares Birds near the bird problem. The Gull-Cat Bird Deterrent is positioned in a crouching predator stance with life-like fur, sharp teeth and claws. The Gull-cat decoy's head and tail also move in the wind.  Another new product is the FireFly Bird Diverter which  incorporates motion, reflectivity, and luminescence emissions that affect avian vision.The Firefly is designed to keep birds away from structures like cell towers, MET Towers, transmission lines, power lines, Firefly Fence Diverter.

Distress calls of a startled or injured bird are available on microchips that can be regulated by a motion sensor and timer. The units are programmed to be species-specific as there is no generic distress call that will repel all types of birds. Distress calls are not effective against pigeons. Generally, these deterrents are only temporary at best and should be re-positioned periodically and re-enforced with pyrotechnics and other scare devices. New on the market is  the state of the art family of sound systems called "Bird Wailer, this  is not a ‘scare’ system relying on loud noises. But instead, creates a "No Fly" zone of rotational, surround sound at normal db’s making it uncomfortable for the birds to remain in the area. The Bird Wailer has been very effective at keeping migratory birds away from Airports,  retention ponds, fruit farms, agriculture farms etc.

Chemical repellents are non-toxic, sticky gels. Gels are available in cartridges and are inexpensive, easy to apply, and can be quite effective against pigeons and starlings. However, the disadvantages are a short life and the risk of feather entanglement. Worse, the gel can cause permanent staining to the building's facade as air pollutants are attracted to the sticky surface and will run off in rain or intense heat.

Trapping, while very humane, is labor-intensive and impractical. It is difficult to capture the entire flock and new birds move in to fill the vacuum. Also, even though birds are released at a new location, they usually return to the original nesting site.

Toxic baiting, also an expensive and ongoing undertaking, is a very effective method of reducing or relocating large flocks of birds. It is imperative that a baiting program be carried out by a licensed operator, with an effort made to avoid public scrutiny.

Mechanical barriers are available in a bewildering array of stainless steel and plastic spike or coil configurations. Although inexpensive and easily installed using silicone or screws, these systems are visually conspicuous at low levels. Most systems are effective against pigeons and gulls but not starlings or sparrows. Disadvantage include a tendency to entrap debris, and recurring nesting, which results in periodic maintenance.

Electric devices are grounded, low-amp wiring systems that repel birds with a non-lethal, pulsating shock. Although inconspicuous and very effective, electric repellent systems are initially expensive to install and require periodic maintenance.

Post and wire (Birdwire) systems have been used in Europe for over 20 years. This inconspicuous and inexpensive system consists of a thin nylon-coated stainless steel wire that is spring-tensioned to narrow posts. Easily installed with an extensive selection of accessories for virtually any architectural configuration, the system is effective against pigeons and gulls, but not starlings or sparrows. The system is also effective against aquatic birds in open areas such as ponds or parking lots. While the most versatile and least expensive of all the available systems, installation of trip wires is an artistic endeavor and requires a modicum of mechanical know-how.

Bird Netting, last but not least, is the most effective barrier available to deny all species of birds a roosting or breeding site on any structure. Bird net is strong, weatherproof, effective against all species, and is relatively inexpensive. However, considerable skill is required for permanent installation. Bird nets are very inconspicuous and can be color-coded to effect a virtually invisible finished product. This technique provides a long-term (10+ year) solution and should always be the first method considered. 

In addition to an integrated bird management system, basic bird control involves elimination of nests, food, water and shelter. Selection of the correct system or combination thereof is critical in preventing re-roosting. After all, they're not called homing pigeons for nothing.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

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