Birds And Bird Control Finding Balance
Birds
Birds are great to have around your property. They consume insects, and in so doing provide an important part of your pest prevention program. They should be considered when planning your integrated pest management system. They also provide color, interest, and diversions in the home landscape.
Bird pests
As great as birds are though, too many birds, or the wrong types of birds in one place, at one time, can become a nuisance, and even a health problem. When this happens, birds become pests.We have seen them come in such large numbers in some areas that the weight of the birds actually broke tree limbs, and caused communications cables to sag.
Bird pest control
The rules for bird pest control are the same as for any other pest. The first step, is to discover why they are attracted to your property in such large numbers, and alter that part of the habitat to favor fewer birds.
If the reason they are congregating in such large numbers is something off your property, or out of your control, then you should find ways to make your property less attractive to them, and discourage them from using your place as a resting place, or a staging area.
The complaint we hear most often is that birds are roosting in trees, and along eves and edges of the home, or adjacent buildings. The answer is to make these areas less attractive to deter them, or exclude them.
An example of exclusion in this case might be something like covering the existing areas with siding, or screening the area.
An example of deterring them might be adding bird spikes, which are metal or plastic spikes with a number of points at various angles, or tightly stretched thin wire, placed at heights that would discourage the birds by making roosting difficult and uncomfortable.
There are other methods that are used with varying degrees of success. Rubber snakes, fake predators, and even real predators can be used. Gas cannons, set to make loud explosions at predetermined intervals, and various types of streamers, flashers and noises are options with some limitations.
Keep in mind that birds can carry diseases that can be transferred to humans. The bird flu, is just one of many, so when cleaning up after them, please take the proper precautions, such as masks, face shields, and rubber gloves.
Bird pest control, is just like pest control for any other critter. Prevention is the best option.
