Bird Control

Because of these contributions, birds are afforded considerable protection by laws, regulations and public sentiment that controls what kind of bird control can be implemented.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects most birds, their eggs, and their nests from being killed or destroyed. Disturbing bird nests may be considered a federal crime carrying steep fines and possible prison sentences.

Depending on the species, special permits from state wildlife agencies must be obtained before bird nests can be removed. Instead of risking retribution, individuals should contact the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control to handle the matter of unwanted bird nests in a legal and humane way.

Birds That Cause the Most Problems

Birds can cause a lot of damage to your business, home, garage, shed, attic and other locations of your property when looking for shelter and creating a nest in the area. This not only costs you money to repair damage, it can pose a huge safety risk to you, your family and pets.

Bird droppings can carry a large number of diseases, fleas, lice, mites and ticks. Learning how to get rid of birds is key to preventing transmittal of these diseases and keeping birds outdoors where they belong.

The three birds that most often become pests in the United States in urban areas are:

• pigeons
• house sparrows
• starlings

If you have ever tried to get rid of pigeons, you know just how difficult bird control and bird proofing can be. Other birds, from hawks to swallows, may occasionally cause unexpected and unusual pest problems and require bird control.

When blackbirds and crows roost in suburban areas they become pests and result in bird control or bird proofing.

Woodpeckers may peck holes into house siding looking for insects, to make nest cavities and to communicate with other woodpeckers.

Seagulls can feed on food-plants, and they roost and nest on large flat roofs with crushed stone.

Birds may be beneficial, neutral or harmful to man's interests, depending upon time, location and activity, and certain birds are more likely to become pests and require bird proofing and bird control:

• sparrow removal
• woodpecker removal
• waterfowl removal
• pigeon removal
• blackbirds
• ravens
• coot
• ducks
• geese
• chimney swifts
• magpies
• starlings
• swallows
• turkeys
• vulture

Pest bird situations that require bird control and bird proofing include:

• Feeding on agricultural products
• Roosting or nesting around human habitations
• Destroying vegetation and contaminating foods
• Noise, droppings, odor and feathers
• Diseases or ectoparasites affecting man including histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis
• Unpleasant or hazardous working conditions
• Dead bird removal

How to Get Rid of Birds

Controlling birds is a difficult task. Their mobility and high nests are a challenge for most people and businesses to deal with.

The secret to controlling birds is to deny them places to land and nest on and around your building.

Another method of controlling birds is to trap the current roosting birds, immediately ending the problems they cause. It is more likely, however, that our experts will do both of these things to ensure that we can control your bird problems.

The best bird control and bird proof approaches emphasize the following:

• deterrents
• exclusion methods
• or modification of buildings.

The right exclusion methods for this pest vary depending on the property and type of bird problem. Technicians may recommend a variety of barriers and habitat modifications, such as bird netting to eliminate access to nesting and loafing areas, installing Bird Slide to keep them off ledges, or capping chimneys to prevent entry into the home.

Relocation

Relocating birds can be a challenge since they can quickly fly away. A bird removal specialist from the Critter Control will know how to remove certain types of birds. This may include moving their food sources and moving nests. A bird removal expert will also repair any damage and modify structures to prevent birds from entering in the future.

Critter Control’s knowledgeable technicians have several bird control methods to bird proof your home or help to get rid of birds that congregate on municipal and commercial buildings in urban settings. We will work with you to bird proof your property in a humane method with a bird control plan. We use other bird deterrents in rural and agricultural settings for bird control.

For more information on bird control and bird proofing, please contact us at 1-800-CRITTER

Although birds play a critical part in our ecosystems, you don’t want them in or on your house. Birds harbor up to 60 diseases according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which can be transferred to humans with potentially fatal results. In addition to these diseases, other pests are carried by birds and attracted by their waste and nests.

Birds can cause structural damage due to the high concentration of acids in their excrement which can corrode roof tiles. Lastly, bird nests are highly flammable, increasing fire hazard risks to the home.

Sometimes these locations include:

• roofs
• chimneys
• vents
• decks
• garages
• soffits
• sheds
• other areas that are less than desirable.

If birds are not removed immediately, they can cause a lot of damage and attract other birds, which is a why implementing a strategic bird removal plan is critical. Removing the bird's nest is a start to bird removal, but you will want to contact a bird removal specialist in the area to ensure the birds do not come back.

After identifying the bird species, we may start by physically removing the species in question. In rescue situations, such as chimneys or basements, birds can be released on-site if the entrance has been secured properly. Occasionally, live traps will be used, especially if flocks of birds are involved. For persistent birds and larger flocks, several advanced techniques may be applied simultaneously including spikes, mylar tape, scare tactics, and more.

The most effective method of bird control is prevention and exclusion. Once the bird or nest has been successfully removed, Critter Control wildlife technicians will seal openings and apply caps on vents or chimneys where necessary. If a bird has occupied the area, Critter control agents will clean any bird messes and apply sanitization agents to ensure the safety of the home.

For exterior areas such as roofs and trees, any combination of habitat modification, exclusion tactics, and repellents. The primary objective is to make the property unsuitable or unattractive to birds. We can also provide suggestions to maintain the property so birds do not continue to be problematic.

It is not recommended to shoot birds since there are many laws and regulations in the that control what is and is not lawful in bird removal. A bird removal specialist is trained on the relocation and prevention of birds in a manner that is safe for the birds and for all people involved.

Contact your local Critter Control bird removal expert if you suspect a bird problem.