One sure sign you are near the coast – gulls. We’ve all read stories about chips being stolen from the hands of holidaymakers and experienced the mess of nesting sites. When Bristol based Good Riddance Pest Control became part of the Cleankill family in 2018, we reviewed what issues our customers were facing, and it became clear that gulls and pigeons were a growing problem.
This isn’t restricted to the South-West; it’s something we’re noticing all over the country. It affects all building types and all regions – from a church in Margate to a supermarket in Weston-Super-Mare.
What Can Be Done About Pest Birds?
Bird control doesn’t rely on destruction. Most birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is illegal to kill them or destroy their nests (without a special licence).
Instead, dealing with pest birds is a matter of finding ways to persuade them to roost or nest elsewhere. To achieve this, the bird control technician has a vast armoury of methods at their disposal. You are probably aware of netting and spikes but other, less well-known, options include bird-free gel, post and wire, and bioacoustics. Each has its place in the arsenal of the professional bird controller.
Before any bird control system is installed, it is essential to properly survey the site. This will ascertain the scale of the problem, the needs of the client, and the right bird control method for the job. Not every technique can be applied to every situation. For example, if birds are already nesting, then netting is the only option. If the brickwork is old, damp or crumbly, then post and wire is best. If there is lead flashing on the ledges, then spikes are the most appropriate method. A professional surveyor will be able to help you find the right solution for your problem.
Bird control systems also require ongoing maintenance. To ensure they continue to work optimally, it is important to get them professionally checked. If you don’t problems can develop. For example, if netting isn’t properly maintained, it will develop holes that birds can exploit.
We were recently called to a building with netting installed. However, the owners had not maintained the netting and it had large holes in it. The pigeons used these to access the roof space, which was full of unhealthy detritus. We were able to fix the netting using a cherry picker, and then clear the pigeon waste and decontaminate the affected area.
In some ways, the owners were lucky. It’s not unknown for birds to get caught in the netting. Their frantic movements then cause greater damage to the net and the bird often dies a horrible death. This is not only distressing to see but also a potential health hazardous, as dead pigeons can carry disease. Disposal should always be done by a registered waste carrier.
Make Pest Birds Our Problem
Cleankill has successfully been dealing with pest birds for over 25 years. In 2019, we expanded our capabilities with the acquisition of Bird Control Sussex and can now offer efficient and cost-effective bird control services to customers across the South of England.
We use a wide variety of techniques, including netting, spikes, bird-free gel, post and wire, bioacoustics systems and natural bird control, using our Harris hawks Luna, Rooster and Elvis.
Natural bird control is a highly effective way of moving birds away from your business. If a hawk is regularly flown at a site, the pest birds will build up a memory of the threat and decide to roost elsewhere. After a while, the birds will even recognise the van, they don’t even need to see the hawks before they are roused. We use the hawks at a variety of sites, from large factories to retails parks and high-rise residential estates. The effect is remarkable, long-lasting, and doesn’t require unsightly equipment.
Whatever your problem, Cleankill has an effective and innovative solution that that will ensure your business remains pest free. To learn more about Cleankill bird control services, click here.
About Cleankill
Cleankill Pest Control is an award-winning pest control business with offices across the south of England and a team covering Bristol. We specialise in helping businesses protect themselves from public health pests such as mice, rats, cockroaches and pest birds. We pride ourselves on offering fast and efficient service delivery and are recognised as a market leader for ‘green’ and innovative pest control methods. We are also licensed waste removers.
From our Bristol office, formerly Good Riddance Pest Control, we cover most of Gloucester, Bristol, Bath and Somerset.
Go to www.cleankill.co.uk for more information and email info@cleankill.co.uk for a free pest control survey or cost comparison.
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