How to Get Rid of Birds
Pest birds can be a real problem for any business. Not only do they cause a mess, but they can also be a health hazard – and a little frightening.
Pigeons and seagulls are normally the worst culprits, especially in towns and cities. Bird removal in these cases is made more difficult by a number of factors:
- Pigeons natural food is grain and seeds but they adapt to urban areas by scavenging processed food, such as discarded takeaways and food waste from dustbins.
- If they can find enough food pigeons breed the whole year round, with a peak between March and July.
- Seagulls will return year after year to the same nesting site, so once they’re established they’re hard to get rid of.
- Seagulls can live a long time - up to 40 years - during which time they can keep on breeding.
Bird Removal Tactics
The best way to discourage birds for good is to remove their food sources, however in busy urban areas this is not always a practical solution.
If birds are causing a nuisance at your business premises there are a number of tactics that you can try:
- Removing access to nesting sites (for instance by putting barriers over window ledges) can be an effective bird deterrent.
- Keep any possible food sources well hidden.
- Make sure bin lids are secure and rubbish bags are not left in the open – gulls, especially, have sharp beaks that will make short work of bin bags.