Bird control
Encyclopedia
Bird control is the generic name for methods to eliminate or deter pest birds from landing, roosting and nesting.
Bird control is important because pest birds can create health-related problems through their feces
, including histoplasmosis
, cryptococcosis
, and psittacosis
. Bird droppings may also cause damage to property and equipment. Birds also frequently steal from crops and fruit orchards.
), among others.
Physical bird deterrents include such products as spike systems
, bird netting, bird slope, electrified track systems, bird wire, bird spiders, and more. These products will not harm birds, they are simply designed to repel birds from an area. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the use of bird netting, wire, contraceptives and low-voltage electrified track. Bird control products are used widely throughout the U.S. and the world.
Chemical deterrents range from products for turf to avicide
s. There are taste aversion products for geese, and fogging agents used for birds. Many localities have restrictions on the use of chemicals and pesticides targeted at birds if they intend to kill them. Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere.
Sonic bird deterrents are used widely in large open areas. Sounds are audible, and include predator and distress calls of a variety of birds to discourage pest birds from coming into an area. Common locations for these devices include vineyards, reclamation plants, airports, and other open areas. Sophisticated digital sound reproduction combined with random time off intervals, and random sequences prevent habituation by birds, and increase long-term effectiveness.
Ultrasonic devices are designed for enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. Ultrasonic waves prevent birds from entering and remaining in areas such as warehouses, parking garages, and loading docks. These products are not harmful to birds.
A lightweight, spinning turbine, propelled by wind, and reflecting sunlight, has also controlled nuisance birds due to its random action. Birds do not become acclimated to the device, and their roosting habit is interrupted.
Bird control is important because pest birds can create health-related problems through their feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
, including histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Symptoms of this infection vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs...
, cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis, or cryptococcal disease, is a potentially fatal fungal disease. It is caused by one of two species; Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. These were all previously thought to be subspecies of C...
, and psittacosis
Psittacosis
In medicine , psittacosis — also known as parrot disease, parrot fever, and ornithosis — is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci and contracted from parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels and budgerigars, and pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls and many...
. Bird droppings may also cause damage to property and equipment. Birds also frequently steal from crops and fruit orchards.
Methods
Methods of bird control include physical deterrents, visual deterrents, chemicals and sonic/ultrasonic devices, contraceptives, trained birds of prey (falconryFalconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
), among others.
Physical bird deterrents include such products as spike systems
Bird control spike
A bird control spike, also known as an anti-roosting spike or roost modification, is a device consisting of long, needle-like rods used for bird control. They can be attached to building ledges, street lighting, and commercial signage to prevent wild or feral birds from perching or roosting...
, bird netting, bird slope, electrified track systems, bird wire, bird spiders, and more. These products will not harm birds, they are simply designed to repel birds from an area. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the use of bird netting, wire, contraceptives and low-voltage electrified track. Bird control products are used widely throughout the U.S. and the world.
Chemical deterrents range from products for turf to avicide
Avicide
An avicide is any substance which can be used to kill birds.Commonly used avicides include strychnine, DRC-1339 and CPTH , and Avitrol . Chloralose is also used as an avicide...
s. There are taste aversion products for geese, and fogging agents used for birds. Many localities have restrictions on the use of chemicals and pesticides targeted at birds if they intend to kill them. Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere.
Sonic bird deterrents are used widely in large open areas. Sounds are audible, and include predator and distress calls of a variety of birds to discourage pest birds from coming into an area. Common locations for these devices include vineyards, reclamation plants, airports, and other open areas. Sophisticated digital sound reproduction combined with random time off intervals, and random sequences prevent habituation by birds, and increase long-term effectiveness.
Ultrasonic devices are designed for enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. Ultrasonic waves prevent birds from entering and remaining in areas such as warehouses, parking garages, and loading docks. These products are not harmful to birds.
A lightweight, spinning turbine, propelled by wind, and reflecting sunlight, has also controlled nuisance birds due to its random action. Birds do not become acclimated to the device, and their roosting habit is interrupted.
See also
- Bird scarerBird scarerA bird scarer is any one of a number devices designed to scare birds, usually employed by farmers to dissuade birds from eating recently planted arable crops....
- Bird control spikeBird control spikeA bird control spike, also known as an anti-roosting spike or roost modification, is a device consisting of long, needle-like rods used for bird control. They can be attached to building ledges, street lighting, and commercial signage to prevent wild or feral birds from perching or roosting...
- Bird nettingBird nettingBird netting or anti-bird netting is a form of bird pest control. It is a net used to prevent birds from reaching certain areas.-Crop protection:Bird nets are used to prevent bird damage of vegetable and fruit crops as well as seedlings....
- Pigeon control
- Bird trappingBird trappingBird trapping techniques to capture wild birds include a wide range of techniques that have their origins in the hunting of birds for food. While hunting for food does not require the birds to be caught alive, some trapping techniques are used to capture birds without harming them particularly for...