While birds like kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets are nice to have around, some birds are not. These types of birds, including pigeons, myna birds, cockatoos, and sparrows, can make life difficult – which is why they are called bird pests. Not only will they nest everywhere they can find, but they can also do a great deal of damage to businesses, including the following:
Health Risk
The uric acid in bird droppings makes them slick and slippery, especially when wet. When stepped upon, this can lead to falls and accidents. You may also be held liable and pay penalties. Additionally, birds are known to carry over 60 kinds of diseases, which can infect both people and livestock. Not to mention that they can carry parasites and attract other pests too.
Damage to Property
Birds can damage your building’s components, including steel, wirings, and gutters. Their droppings can also corrode your machinery and cause them to rust and rot. Birds can enter your premises through air vents and holes, and wreak havoc inside your business. Furthermore, they can contaminate your supply and products.
Damage Your Reputation
Birds are known to leave a mess wherever they go. So once you have them around, everything will be covered in their droppings eventually, including the entrance, windows, footpaths, awnings, balconies, and outdoor tables. Not only will this be an eyesore and off-putting, but this can also damage your reputation and brand. Soon, you’ll find yourself with no customers.
So if you notice birds hovering around your business, make sure to contact a commercial bird removal expert before your problems get worse. From the start, your business should have a bird management plan to prevent bird pest problems from happening in the first place. But what exactly does a bird management plan entail? Here are a few prevention tips to help you out.
Bird Pest Prevention Tips
1. Remove Food and Water Sources
Birds are attracted to areas where they can get food and water. So to keep them away from your business, eliminate food and standing water sources. How? Make sure to do the following:
- Keep dumpster lids closed when not in use
- Clean spills and food leftovers immediately
- For restaurants and cafes, wipe tables after use
- Free the grounds from trash and crumbs
- Clear all standing or pooled water
- Hide all possible food sources
- Calibrate your landscape irrigation to ensure there’s no puddling of water in places that are low in sun exposure
- Clean trash receptacles frequently
2. Eliminate Entry Points
To keep birds away, you have to remove all of their possible entry points. Look around your property and make sure all holes and cracks are sealed properly. Your exhaust vents should have screens as well as your windows. Otherwise, keep them close when not in use.
3. Visual Repellents
Setting up visual repellents is an easy and affordable way to keep birds away. Purchase plastic and fake predators such as snakes, hawks, owls, or falcons and strategically position them around your establishment. Once birds see these predators, they will avoid landing in that area. Just make sure to move them around once in a while, so birds won’t realize they are fake.
4. Bird Netting
Netting is a simple and popular way to prevent birds from nesting and roosting under your overhangs and awnings, outdoor eating areas, windowsills, rooftops, and so on. It is effective and long-lasting. Plus, it’s discreet and impenetrable without harming the birds – if installed properly.
To save you the trouble, consider calling a commercial bird removal service. A professional knows the most suitable place to set up netting and where it can be most productive. He will also make sure that it won’t be noticeable to your customers and affect your store or shop’s overall aesthetics.
5. Bird Spike
Installing bird spikes in your area can deter birds from going to your beams, ledges, eavestroughs, chimney, and more. It’s easy to use and install, and it’s an effective and humanely way to eliminate roosting locations.
The presence of birds can ruin a business. So if these preventative measures don’t work, it’s best to call a professional who has the knowledge and equipment necessary to keep them away.