Employing the right bird-proofing tactics is essential if youโre going to project a professional image for your business. Itโs not all just about aesthetics either – a high number of birds in a particular area can prove troublesome for practical reasons and can even pose a risk to health.
Remember, it isnโt just the typical pest birds like pigeons and gulls that can present a problem. Sparrows, starlings and members of the crow family can all cause issues when they decide to make your business their home!
Why You Need Bird-Proofing
Fouling
A large group of birds will inevitably produce masses of droppings. These can contaminate water sources and air conditioning systems, damage buildings and vehicles through acid erosion and can even prove to be a slipping hazard when wet.
Needless to say, you also wonโt want an important client to be the unfortunate target of a pest birdโs droppings (possibly the worst way to end a meeting, even if it is supposedly good luck).
Noise
There are few things less pleasant to the ear than the discordant screeching of dozens of seagulls while you are trying to concentrate on your work. Naturally, the higher the number of birds roosting, the louder and more disruptive they will be. If you donโt act fast to stem the size of the flock, you could be stuck with the disturbance for some time.
Blocked Gutters
Nests, droppings and other related debris can build up in gutters over time and cause blockages. If you start noticing the negative effects, like mini-floods and damp on your walls, the damage is already done. At this stage, youโll need to call in professionals to clean up the mess.
A further risk is the potential for dead birds to become part of the blockage. In addition to simply being very unpleasant to deal with, it can also attract other pests and can even transmit disease. Preventative measures are best for keeping your gutters in good working order.
Spreading Disease
Birds and their droppings can carry over 60 separate diseases. Many of these are airborne, meaning you donโt even need to have direct contact in order to contract them. Serious examples include Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Salmonella and E.coli.
They can also carry multiple parasites that can bite humans and pass on diseases themselves.
Bird-Proofing Tactics
The best defence against problems associated with birds is preventative measures. There are three common and highly effective bird-proofing tactics that we recommend you consider.
Netting
Netting can be used to encapsulate almost any area with a versatile range of fixings including masonry, wood and metal. There are several sizes of gauge (gaps in the net) so you can select which pest bird species to exclude, whilst adhering to current legislation. Netting is used on both buildings and in the agricultural sector where it protects crops and orchards.
Nets tend to be made from nylon and come in a range of colours including black, stone and translucent. In order to function as intended, a professional installation is essential. Netting needs to be kept taut so that birds who make contact with it will โbounceโ off, rather than become entangled.
Poor installation can also result in small gaps being left open, meaning that birds can become trapped behind the net and must be freed. Netting should be checked regularly to ensure that it has not become slack and is still working properly.
Anti-Perch Spikes
You might have noticed these on buildings before but if you havenโt, you probably will after reading this. Anti-perch, or often, pigeon spikes, can be seen in pretty much every town centre in the country.
The long, thin spikes are arranged at angles in rows along the edges of buildings and on any flat surface where a bird may choose to roost.
Although relatively simple to install with the correct experience, anti-perch spikes are widely regarded as one of the most humane and effective forms of bird control. Even the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) advocate the use of anti-perch spikes since they are so unlikely to cause harm to wildlife. Once in place, they are unobtrusive and require little maintenance.
Spring Wire System
Spring wire systems are the least intrusive bird-proofing tactic and as such, are ideal for buildings where the aesthetic of the facade is especially important. With a professional installation, most people will not notice their presence.
It consists of small steel posts set into the surface and thin wires run between them. These are arranged in rows at alternating heights so that birds are unable to comfortably perch.
Any one of these options will provide effective protection for your business, but if you want the results to be long-lasting and effective, we would highly recommend that you solicit the services of a professional pest-control team that have extensive experience in bird-proofing.
Safeguard have carried out numerous large-scale bird-proofing projects and would be happy to provide advice or answer any questions you may have. Please get in contact through our online contact form or call now on 0800 328 4931.