Birds and Buildings: A How-to-Guide for Bird Control
Find Out Where the Birds Are
In order to figure out how to get rid of birds that are living in or around your building, it's important to determine where exactly they have taken up residence. Generally, you can expect birds to flock to areas that provide shelter from predators or a reliable source of food and water.
Before you start looking around for bird deterrents, we suggest taking a walk around your building and paying attention to the following areas:
- On top and underneath the roof
- On ledges and window sills
- On statues or ornaments
- Near HVAC units and chimneys
- Near entryways and walkways
- On exterior lighting and signage
In addition to looking for birds, you should also keep an eye out for signs of nesting, bird feathers, and droppings. Unfortunately, cleaning up after them will not prevent them from returning.
Where exactly the birds congregate is important because you have to choose the right bird deterrent for each location.
Give Deterrents a Try
Deterring birds can be more difficult than it sounds. Some types of birds can be rather obstinate in giving up a preferred location. Relocating birds works by encouraging them to find a new destination to perch and nest.
Fortunately, we know of one advantage you can exploit when it comes to deterring birds: the fact that birds are prey to a variety of animals allows you to utilize natural deterrents effectively. When using deterrents successfully, it helps to know which species of birds you're dealing with.
The great thing about deterrents is that they're relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
Don't Feed the Birds
You might think birds are flocking to your building simply because they are looking for a nice place to sit. We have found that is only partly true. After all, birds have to eat, too. Is it possible that you are inadvertently encouraging birds to come to your building by feeding them?
Birds are adept at finding food sources that aren't necessarily meant for them, such as open garbage cans. To prevent birds from looking for food near your building, you need to be vigilant about keeping trash securely covered. We also recommend picking up debris and spilled food from the ground around your property daily—at least until the bird problem is under control.
Use the Least Intrusive Bird Control First
The best bird control is the one that's least intrusive to the birds, the environment, and your building aesthetics. A great example of such a device is using acoustic technology to repel birds from the area. Most advanced sound deterrent devices broadcast natural distress and predator calls from many different types of birds.
One type of bird control we never advise using is poison. Poisoning birds is not just harmful to wildlife and the surrounding environment, but it can also get you in trouble legally. Fortunately, professional netting and spikes are two highly effective methods for deterring birds from your building permanently.
Netting and Spikes
Heavy-duty bird netting is designed to completely block birds from entering unwanted semi-enclosed areas. Areas where bird netting is most often used include roofs, warehouses, loading docks, airplane hangars, and canopy structures. Bird spikes are advantageous because they are easy to install and prevent perching. Bird spikes are most often installed on ledges, structural I-beams, parapet walls, conduits, signs, and other flat or curved surfaces.
How to Get Started with the Installation
Choosing the right deterrent for the right bird problem and having the system correctly installed are extremely important. If you're not sure how to use the deterrent you have selected, it's a good idea to contact Bird B Gone for more information. We can't stress enough how important it is to install products properly in order to keep birds away from your building indefinitely.
Bird B Gone is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of commercial and residential bird control products, offering humane, professional-grade exclusion systems. For expert product advice, property evaluations, or installation support, contact Bird B Gone at 800-392-6915.