rid the roof of birds

Barry Schader had a problem. Bird droppings constantly delayed construction projects on it. And emptying his bank account. In an article in Pest Control Technology magazine, Schader, owner of general construction firm Tischler Brothers, says bird droppings affected multiple aspects of his business. “Bird droppings tend to seriously degrade roofing materials,” says Schader.

And the acidic nature of the droppings wasn’t his only problem. Pigeons, which eat gravel, would defecate on the roof and their fecal matter would clog the drains creating an even bigger problem: germination. The high nitrogen content of the droppings provided an excellent environment for the seeds to grow at a rapid rate in the drainage system. Without sunlight, plants die and clog drains. Once the droppings dry, it’s a race to get them off the surface to prevent degradation of the mostly organic roofing materials. Bird droppings on asphalt and hardboard, found in roofing materials, can cause mold.

Birds are carriers of more than sixty diseases, some of which can be fatal. Those who spend a lot of time outdoors working in construction zones have a high risk of contracting some of these diseases since these types of environments are very attractive to birds. Mix fecal matter with puddles of water and the disease becomes airborne, seeping through ventilation systems, being inhaled by employees and customers, and causing a huge mess for a business.

Another big mess? The liability factor. Some species can produce up to 1.5 pounds of fecal matter a day. Slip and fall incidents are very common these days. Unassuming passers-by can cause a bad smell. The New York City Transit Authority has been ordered to pay a man millions after he slipped on pigeon droppings on the subway stairs. Can your business afford a $6 million dollar lawsuit?

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these potential disasters. Many people, like Schader, use methods that are harmful and not that effective. He tried snakes and owls, which only worked when constantly moved, and tar, which killed birds. For the cost and labor, he said, it wasn’t worth the expense since the birds returned.

Lethal methods can solve the problem in the short term, but remember that killing the birds only kills the ones that are currently perching. Killing them does not take away from the fact that your property is bird friendly. Making the environment unattractive is the key to getting rid of birds for good.

Interrupting the pattern

A good start is ultrasonic sound devices. They emit ultra-high frequency sound waves that are beyond the normal human hearing threshold. The sound bothers birds and discourages them from inhabiting areas within earshot. Ted Wilson, facilities manager for Gainesville Utilities, used a device similar to this one on his construction site and was pleased with the results.

In an article in Power Engineering magazine, Wilson described his problem with pigeons perching on the steel beams at his site. The smell and mess caused by the pigeons was disrupting progress and disturbing the workers. Those who came before him made the mistake of using faulty bird control devices and had no luck getting rid of the birds. However, after placing the ultrasonic device, the pigeons left almost immediately.

Putting spikes anywhere attractive to birds, such as wires and beams, will prevent them from perching. The spikes provide an even surface, making it difficult for birds to settle. There are also gels that are safe to apply to all surfaces. The gel makes the surface sticky, forcing the birds to go elsewhere.

scare tactics

Visual scares are another way to get rid of birds. Unfortunately, many people are either using the wrong products or using the right products incorrectly, deeming them ineffective. The scarecrow balloons with holographic eyes can move in the wind and create the illusion that the birds are being followed. Over time, the effectiveness can be increased by moving these balloons around the property.
Sonic noisemakers blend in with the surroundings, which doesn’t disturb customers and can scare away birds. Sonic devices use actual recordings of bird and predator distress calls to encourage birds to find a “safer environment.” Using things like propane “cannon shots” and programmable sound-producing devices are excellent inhibitors and are cost-effective.

repellents

Birds are bothered by the taste of certain chemicals. There are commercially available sprays that use both FDA and EPA approved ingredients that repel birds with nothing more than a chemical that has been used to flavor chewing gum and candy for decades. Spraying a chemical on the ground gives birds a sensation similar to what humans get when exposed to the smell of bleach. It is completely harmless and kills the birds.

Proper bird control can save your business thousands, maybe even millions, of dollars in cleanup costs, labor, and lawsuits. Using any of these methods alone will definitely send a message to the birds, but using them in conjunction with other effective products will make your site bird-free for life. Addressing multiple senses is the best approach to making birds less inclined to call your property home.