Industry

Farmers and growers have always had a tug of war with pest birds. Annual worldwide losses have been in the millions of dollars as birds damage and destroy crops, vines and seeds. Food storage areas, such as barns and granaries also attract birds.

Today’s architects are increasingly choosing to integrate bird control measures into their building designs. They realize that the image of their beautiful arches, clean lines and walls of glass can quickly be ruined by bird droppings.

Pest birds have plagued the aviation industry for decades. Bird strikes—when birds are sucked into jet engines or rotating props—often occur when aircraft land or take off. On average, birds collide with airplanes about 20 times a day in the United States.

It’s not uncommon for today’s construction jobs to include bird control in their specifications, either on new construction or a building renovation. When pest birds flock to rooflines, ledges and parapet walls, their nests, debris and droppings can cause costly damage.

Pest birds have long posed a costly and hazardous problem for many schools and universities. Most campuses have open courtyards, outdoor eating areas and typically overflowing garbage cans and dumpsters. This is where birds like to loiter for food scraps.

When birds enter through open doors and loading docks, they tend to roost or nest in rafters above food production or storage sites. This leads to bird droppings falling from rafters and other lofty areas to contaminate food production or stored products.

Birds cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to oil and gas installations and refineries every year. The open structures, beams, pipes, catwalks and towers found in and around these plants offer birds an almost unlimited supply of perching, roosting and nesting areas.

Birds of all types have long posed problems for cities, states, municipalities, and other government agencies. Not only do they deface public property, but they can also lead to serious damage over time, often to the point of undermining a building or bridge’s structural integrity.

Hospitals must take extra care to avoid pest bird infestations. Bird droppings can carry any of 60 known diseases—including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, and toxoplasmosis, even the West Nile virus.

Boats, docks and swim platforms often provide birds with the perfect waterfront perch or vantage point for their next meal. Large birds such as geese, ducks and cormorants along with gulls and other birds can virtually take over these areas while creating quite a mess.

Pest birds create a number of problems for grain storage and manufacturing facilities. Besides damaging buildings, machinery and vehicles, birds often contaminate grain with diseases that can lead to respiratory problems and other illnesses.

Pest control companies have had pest birds on their radar for some time. Clients whose buildings, parks and structures are being defaced and damaged by pest birds continually seek their help in effectively and humanely ridding them of this costly problem.

Property managers are often responsible for the upkeep of a property and the happiness of its tenants. If a property they are responsible for is plagued with birds, they may have trouble finding tenants or dealing with tenant complaints.

Birds cause millions of dollars in damage to homes across the U.S. each year. Bird nests can ruin gutters, cause electrical fires, and block ventilation systems. Gardens aren’t safe either. Birds can destroy seedlings, fresh fruit and can contaminate plants with their droppings.

The signage industry has as particular vested interest in protecting their signs from defacement and damage. After all, it’s the sign that reflects a company’s image. And in many cases, the location of signs means they’re costly to repair or replace.

Rooftop solar panels create an ideal environment for pigeons and other pest birds to nest and roost. The panels provide shade from the hot sun, security from predators, and an easy in-and-out vantage point for birds.

Pest birds love to loiter around stadiums, sports fields and similar semi enclosed outdoor arenas. These venues offer plenty of lofty signage, light fixtures, displays and billboards where birds can roost or nest, free from predators.