Deter Birds Vanquish Birds 3 Steps
Deter Birds – There are over 800 bird species found in Australia, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Australia is a veritable paradise for bird lovers.
Bird watchers and citizens, in general, enjoy participating in citizen science projects like the Big City Birds project.
The scheme tracks behavioural changes of the Australian White Ibis, Australian Brush-turkey, Little Corella, long-billed Corella and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Many of these birds have flocked to the city in search of habitat and food. The influx has caused significant problems for residents, leading to the need for bird control in Sydney and other cities across Australia.
The White Ibis (aka ‘the bin chicken, tip turkey, sandwich snatcher and picnic pirate’) causes considerable mess while scavenging. They open rubbish bags containing scraps of food and scatter the contents across a wide area. Added to this is the noise and smell which comes with an infestation.
It isn’t easy to know how to deter birds, especially if they are protected. A professional pest controller will have the knowledge, equipment and experience to know precisely how to deter birds.
Why birds flock to cities
Native birds face fierce competition from bird pests for nesting sites and food sources. Some bird pests such as the common Myna will aggressively evict native birds from their nests. They even kill chicks and destroy eggs on occasion.
Native birds cannot compete with avian aggressors and have no other choice but to flee to urban locations in search of food. Wherever there are humans, there is food. Pest birds such as the Feral Pigeon, the Sparrow, the Indian Myna and the Starling also flock to cities for easy food.
Another influencing factor in the influx of birds to urban areas is the impact of environmental change. As their natural habitats become untenable or availability becomes reduced due to human development, birds must adapt, move or face extinction.
Residents in their homes and gardens feel the impact. You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to see how this plays out. Whilst wanting to ensure that native birds are protected, both native, and pest birds can become a nuisance as more and more invade human spaces.
Bird infestations are distressing and dangerous to human health, whether you’re a dedicated twitcher or a citizen science contributor.
Dangers of Bird infestations
A vast quantity of birds carry disease. Experts estimate that birds have over 60 diseases, some of which are zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans).
Psittacosis, Mycobacteriosis, Salmonellosis, Avian influenza (bird flu), Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcoal Meningitis, St. Louis Encephalitis and E.Coli can spread to humans via birds. Some diseases cause serious health problems and can even be fatal.
Diseases are spread directly by handling infected birds, their nesting materials or their faeces. Bacteria can also spread via inhalation in the form of Aerosolised droplets.
Bird droppings and nesting materials often contain parasites. Avian ectoparasites such as flies, lice, fleas, bugs, ticks and mites are known to bite humans and cause infestations of their own.
Considering the severe dangers to health and safety, is it worth taking chances when dealing with infestations? It is with very good reason that many choose to use the services of professional pest controllers.
What is the best method to deter birds?
The answer to this question depends on many things, and a professional bird pest controller will consider various determinants before deciding on the best course of action.
What type of bird is it?
When considering bird netting, the size of the bird will be integral to implementing an effective barrier. Large birds are easily obstructed, but smaller birds require accurate scaling to prevent injury or trapping.
Accessibility of the roosting or nesting site
Specialist equipment is often needed to reach high areas for installation. Therefore, it would be prudent to seek a licenced and IRATA certified expert to ensure correct installation for an effective solution. Bird wire, bird spikes and bird gel are effective methods to deter birds and are used to great effect in high places.
The scale of the infestation
If the problem has recently begun and is still small, it is often easier to determine the entry route and block it. If there are other potential routes, these can be dealt with to prevent future infestation.
Remove food sources
A BBQ on a sunny day or a party on the patio can be a delight. But unfortunately, if food is left out, then you may get some uninvited guests. Hence it’s always better to remove food when the party has ended.
Open bins will entice all sorts of pests like rats, cockroaches and, of course, birds. Birds have sharp beaks, and certain birds are known to open bags of rubbish looking for food. The resulting mess becomes an all you can eat buffet for pests. Make sure bins are not left to overflow and keep bins closed at all times.
However, even the most diligent householders have bird infestations. If birds nest in your garden, they may sight a viable food source at a neighbouring property.
Unfortunately, more will follow once a tree in your garden becomes a ‘room with a view’ to bird pests.
Pest Control you can trust
How to deter birds is a question best answered by a professional. It’s better to get professional advice sooner rather than later, and it could save a lot of time and money on deterrents that don’t work.
We are licensed and WHS compliant with 17 years of experience in pest control. We offer a 24/7 on-time service using only top-quality products. Our expertise and quality workmanship mean we can deliver tailored solutions for all types of pest control.
Why waste time and money on DIY technics trying to resolve a bird pest problem only to find it doesn’t work. It could even amplify the problem. Worse still, it could put the family’s health and safety at risk.
When it comes to how to deter birds, the answer is at the end of the phone. Feel free to call today for some professional advice and a free no-obligation quote.