Bird infestation can contaminate buildings and cause major structural damage. Bird proofing allows you to control birds and keep your building free from nests.
In 1963 Alfred Hitchcock’s movie The Birds was released to critical acclaim. The film is the apocalyptic story of a northern California coastal town subject to an onslaught of seemingly unexplained, arbitrary and chaotic attacks by ordinary birds – not birds of prey.
Nowadays, a horror film could easily be made about the impact of bird infestation.
Diseases, avian parasites and the destruction of the food processing industry are just some of the many topics this film could be centred around.
Birds have been invading commercial and industrial buildings for years but the difference is we are now equipped with the knowledge of how to control this problem.
Bird infestation can cause major problems
Manage infestation by bird proofing your building before it results in one or more of the following issues.
Spreading of disease
Birds harbour infectious diseases that can be harmful to humans if contracted. It has been suggested that up to 60 diseases are spread by pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.
Histoplamosis, cryptococcosis, salmonellosis, campylobacter and e-coli are just some of the many diseases birds can carry. These pathogens are spread by a variety of means including dust from bird droppings and ecto-parasites associated with most bird species. The side effects from these illnesses are extremely serious, and it goes without saying that bird infestation needs to be treated as a major threat to health and safety.
Damaged stock
With the range of diseases birds can carry, we need to ensure they are completely clear of any food processing organisation.
Any stock that is stored in the area could easily be contaminated if there is a presence of bird infestation. Once pathogens or parasites are present inside the building, the problem is much more difficult to control and could result in dramatic loss of stock.
Building corrosion
It doesn’t take long for bird numbers to build up and before you know it, they are wreaking havoc on a number of building components. Unfortunately, birds aren’t choosey about where they defecate and as this builds up, it can quickly cause blocked drains, contaminated roofs and problems with gutters and downpipes.
How can Industrial Cleaning Specialists help with bird menace?
Controlling bird infestation is more complicated than it first appears but Industrial Cleaning Specialists have faced the issue many times before.
There are a number of factors to consider before selecting the right deterrent system such as:
– Bird species – this includes their size, behaviour and habits
– The building’s location
– Positioning of the ingress and egress
– Climatic conditions
– Time of day
– Time of year
The team at Industrial Cleaning Specialists are specialised in bird control and will assess your situation before coming up with the right solution for you. We have a wealth of experience in controlling bird nuisance and will work in shut-down hours, nights and weekends to minimise any disruption to your business.
Stop birds gaining entry to your building
Industrial Cleaning Specialists adhere to both ethics and bird regulation standards before implementing a control system. Here we will break them down and look at the advantages and limitations of each.
Anti-roosting wire system
This consists of a series of parallel wires supported by narrow pins and held under tension by small springs. These wires can be installed at differing heights so they come into contact with the bird’s wings.
Advantages:
- Causes minimal damage to building
- Can last up to 10 years
- Environmentally safe
Limitations:
- Limited to use on ledges
- Not effective with all bird species, mainly an anti-pigeon system
Plastic netting systems
This system functions by exclusion, preventing birds from nesting in recessed portions of the building in light wells or under eaves.
Advantages:
- Suitable for large areas
- Environmentally safe
- Effective against most bird species
- Can last up to 15 years
Limitations:
- Limited in its protection for certain portions of the building
- Accurate installation is difficult, time consuming and may be expensive
- Obscures some architectural elements
Bird spikes
A physical barrier deterrent made up of rows of needles or spikes pointing upwards. The spikes are intended to make it difficult for large birds to land. They are used on horizontal surfaces where birds are known to roost or nest. The spikes irritate birds but don’t hurt them.
Advantages:
- Easy to install
- Long life span
- Environmentally safe
Limitations:
- Debris may collect between the spikes
- Cleaning is required
- Ineffective against smaller birds such as sparrows and starlings
Gel coating repellent
A gel based on gels from either polybutylene or modified vaseline. The tactile properties of the gel are intended to irritate the bird’s feet.
Advantages:
- Non-toxic
- Will not burn or irritate feet of birds or skin of people
- Will not affect any water catchment
Limitations:
- Short life span, normally 18-24 months
- Removal can be difficult
Don’t be vulnerable to bird infestation
Effective bird control is a complicated matter and Industrial Cleaning Specialists are here to help.
Whether it’s to remedy a bird problem or prevent one from happening, we canl implement strategies to remove the birds and deter any more from roosting, perching or nesting inside your building.
We understand that no two bird infestation problems are the same, therefore we will provide a customised fit out and installation of products tailored to suit your needs.
Call us for a no-obligation free quote and let us know how we can help.
