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BIRD
EXCLUSION PLANNING
Before any successful bird exclusion program can take
place, there are several steps that must be performed. For starters, the target pest bird species
must be identified. Generally, there are
four types of pest/nuisance birds, also known as: (1) Feral Pigeons, (2)
English or House Sparrows, (3) European Starlings and (4) Sea Gulls. After the target pest bird is properly
identified, the pest bird’s unique biology, habits and behavioral patterns must
also be considered. This step is
critical because the exclusion method for each pest bird varies
tremendously. Not only is properly
identifying the correct target bird species paramount to successfully
eradicating pest bird populations, non-target bird species, other types of
animals and human inhabitants must also be identified because care must be
taken not to cause harm to any of these non-target species.
Next, the bird-infested area/structure must be
analyzed over the course of several days and at varying times. It is of utmost importance to determine whether
the target bird(s) are just landing on the said area temporarily, or whether
the target bird(s) are roosting and/or nesting in said area(s). This step can only be conducted properly by
inspecting the site over the course of several days at varying times. In addition, all of the areas where target
bird(s) may seek shelter from the elements must be taken into account. Considering additional shelter areas is also
important because you do not want the exclusion system that is installed to
move the pest bird(s) to another location on the target site. Moreover, the surrounding areas must also be
studied in order to evaluate food and water sources, additional shelter and
nesting areas.
 After all of the bird and site
criteria have been fully evaluated, all of the area(s) on the target site where
the bird(s) are landing, roosting and/or nesting must be identified. Part of this inspection must also include the
identification of several additional factors: (1) the pest bird’s activity that
is and/or has caused the problem, i.e. nesting activity causing blocked
drains, accumulated droppings and/or birds trapped in HVAC units and related
equipment, (2) previous failed exclusion measures and (3) structural
deficiencies in the building that could allow birds to penetrate the building
and/or the bird exclusion system. Next,
aesthetics, financial constraints, long term effectiveness, site and surrounding
area data and the level of bird pressure must be considered in designing the
appropriate bird exclusion system(s) for the target site.
How bird exclusion is accomplished
is only limited by the imagination of the bird specialist. The overarching goal that must be considered
is to exclude the target bird(s) without damaging the aesthetics or the structure and
to reduce the bird threshold to an acceptable level. Bird exclusion is an art. Not only does the bird exclusion system
installation have to be effective, it must also be beautiful to the eye. As such, often less is more. There is no single bird exclusion device that remedies
every bird problem.
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