Birds can be a significant pest for businesses, especially those handling food, such as food warehouses, food processing factories and bakeries, where they can become a problem inside buildings. They can cause businesses to take costly measures for cleaning, repairing buildings and equipment, and replacing raw materials and finished products.
Problems arising from pest and nuisance birds
The problems caused by birds include:
1. Fouling
Unsightly bird droppings can build up in roosting sites, foul paved areas nearby which cause a slip and fall risk for staff and visitors. They also foul vehicles parked nearby and for businesses spoil raw materials and finished goods, causing financial loss.
2. Physical damage
Larger birds such as pigeons can dislodge roof tiles. Bird droppings corrode stone, metal, paintwork and other building materials, while birds gaining access to roof spaces can damage insulation. The damage can result in a high cost of repairs for the building owners.
3. Spread of diseases
Did you know that bird droppings can contain many types of bacteria, viruses and parasites which can contaminate food, surfaces and goods, including Salmonella, E. coli, Histoplasma? These diseases can then infect people handling the goods and eating contaminated food. This may result in a loss of business income.
4. Spread of insects and parasites
Ticks, fleas, lice and mites are carried by birds and can infest their nests and spread around the building; various beetles, moths, flies and mites that feed on nest detritus can infest nests, such as carpet beetle, fur beetle, biscuit beetle, clothes moth, dust mite and other stored product insects.
5. Blocked drainage systems and water damage
Nests block guttering and drain pipes leading to flooding on the roof, which can then become breeding sites for flying and biting insects. The flooding can cause internal leaks, rotten timbers, metal corrosion, damaged plaster and other wall coverings and flooring inside the building.
6. Consumption of stored food
Businesses storing grain and flour can lose a large amount to birds. They can gain access to grain silos and stores through doors, ventilation points damaged roofs. Also, packaged goods can be damaged by birds by pecking at it to access the food or from droppings fouling the packaging.
7. Aggressive behaviour
People walking near the bird nest can be attacked by some birds — mainly gulls — when they have young. This can become a problem if birds are allowed to roost and nest on buildings undisturbed and numbers build up.
How to control birds effectively
Wildlife laws protect the birds, their nests and eggs and will apply not just to the bird pest you want to control but also other bird species that may be affected indirectly by the control measures.
The methods for bird control are severely restricted both by legislation and public opinion. Factors to which we give full consideration for any recommended solution.
Destroying pest birds is only done as a last resort! Don’t settle for second best call the experts to solve your problem humanely, legally and safely.
Do you have any bird problems in your property? Contact us today for expert advice on bird control service from a local expert.
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