Bird Jobs
Soar to New Heights
Bird jobs can significantly bolster your sales —
but knowledge and teamwork are the price
of admission.
By Dan Collins • Contributor
C
ollectively, birds are among
the most diverse, beautiful
group of animals on the planet. They are extraordinary animals
primarily because of the amazing
feats they accomplish and the grace
with which they do them.
Imagine being an arctic tern
(Sterna paradisaea). Artic terns
migrate more than 20,000 miles
every year. Male emperor penguins
(Aptenodytes forsteri) clutch a single
egg between their feet for 65 days
during Antarctic winters, when
temperatures reach minus 40 to
minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with
wind chill factors nearing minus 100
degrees Fahrenheit.
So, why are birds also among the
most-reviled pests in the world? Feral
pigeons (Columbia livia), European
starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and house
sparrows (Passer domesticus) are
among the most-important pest bird
species PMPs routinely manage.
However, gulls (Laridae), woodpeckers (Picidae), crows (Corvidae) and
the blackbird “complex” (Icteridae)
also can be pest birds under
conducive conditions such as spilled
food or untrimmed pine trees.
Exclusion — including the installation of netting and/or shock tracks,
and the modification of building
structures — is the best long-term
solution for bird populations that
infest buildings and surrounding
environments. Excluding birds from
buildings may sound simple, but it
can be unbelievably difficult to do in
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real-world environments, especially
for PMPs new to bird management.
Perhaps the most-difficult part of
bird control for PMPs is getting
started. Bird identification, understanding bird biology and behavior,
and figuring out the best bird exclu-
BMPs should purchase
high-quality binoculars
as pest birds often are
hundreds, if not
thousands, of feet
away from the
observer.
sion methods or materials, can be
daunting tasks for bird management
beginners.
BIRD IDENTIFICATION
Every bird in North America except
feral pigeons (a.k.a. rock doves),
European starlings and house
sparrows are protected under the
Migratory Bird Act of 1918. PMPs
venturing into the bird control
business must be able to readily
identify pest bird species and distinguish them from federally protected
bird species.
A field guide for bird identification is an absolute requirement for
PMPs considering bird exclusion
services. Some personal favorites
include The Sibley Guide to Birds and
the National Geographic Society’s
Field Guide to the Birds of North
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America. Roger Tory Peterson’s
A Field Guide to the Birds East of the
Rockies (also available in a Western
edition) is another good choice.
These guides, even to the beginner
bird management professional
(BMP), are easy to use, wonderfully
illustrated and highlight distinguishing field identification characteristics
of birds that may not be obvious to
the casual observer.
BMPs also should purchase highquality binoculars as pest birds often
are hundreds, if not thousands, of
feet away from the observer.
Consider using binoculars offering
seven times to eight times magnification and objective lenses in the 35 to
50 millimeter range. The more the
magnification and the larger the
objective lens, the heavier the binoculars. Bushnell, Nikon and Eagle
Optics are just a few of the many
that manufacture quality binoculars
at affordable prices.
POPULATION INSPECTIONS
The first step in bird control is the
inspection. Bird inspections should
focus on:
n identification of bird species;
n the source, extent and severity
of the infestation;
n the conditions conducive or
potentially conducive to the infestation; and
n how to safely and most effectively manage bird populations.
Inspecting for birds can take several
hours (or even days) depending upon
the complexity of the infestation.
When bidding bird jobs, include
estimated inspection times.
Remember, the inspections can be
time consuming and labor intensive
— and often are conducted during
non-traditional work hours such as at
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dawn and dusk.
For example, pigeons roosting on
rooftops are probably commuting to
food and water sources and are then
loafing in other areas during the day.
How far must you travel to observe
these birds? Can these off-site areas
be managed to help reduce the flock
size, or are these areas going to make
the pest birds harder to manage on
the rooftop? Always think how these
off-site areas are going to affect the
overall bird management program.
Most importantly,
what is the flock’s
commitment to the
site? Are they roosting
at night or nesting at
the location? One can
understand that if
birds are nesting at
the site, they consider
it home — making
bird denial and exclusion efforts much
more difficult.
DETERMINING PRESSURE
Another factor influencing bird
management programs is bird
pressure, which is measured by four
factors:
n food/water availability and
controllability;
n building attractiveness;
n alternative sites; and
n flock commitment.
Food/water availability and
controllability on or surrounding a
building usually is not too difficult to
manage, but what about off-site
sources? Are there creeks, water fountains or mud puddles nearby that
pest birds can use? Granaries, food
processing facilities and direct feeding by humans also can hinder bird
management programs.
Modern architecture contributes
to bird infestations as well. Sweeping
overhangs with cross members,
air-handling equipment on rooftops
and rooftop utility pits frequently
make buildings more attractive to
pest birds by offering them a variety
of roosting or nesting areas.
Are there alternative sites on the
building or on nearby buildings that
the pest birds can use for shelter and
food? For instance, if you exclude
birds from one air conditioning
(A/C) unit on a roof, are there other
less-obvious A/C units on the rooftop
they can use? If so, be sure to let the
facility manager know those units
need to be managed for birds as well.
BIRD PROGRAMS
Once the pest birds
have been identified, a
thorough inspection
has been performed
and bird pressure has
been determined, it’s
time to implement a
long-term bird
management program.
Many options exist for bird control,
but long-term bird management typically means installing bird exclusion
devices such as bird netting or shock
tracking or ledge-altering devices.
A word of warning to PMPs
entering the bird control market:
Start with small bird jobs first, such
as placing netting over a window
ledge or installation of bird shock
tracks on a sign, to understand the
nuances of each particular product.
Large-scale bird jobs can be extremely challenging for beginners. Learn to
work adeptly with each of the pieces
of the bird control puzzle, from start
to finish, before offering the whole
solution.
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Even
woodpeckers
can be
considered
pest birds
under conducive
conditions such as
spilled food or
untrimmed pine trees.
POOP HAPPENS
Once a customer agrees that bird exclusion/management services are needed,
the BMP must establish who will be
responsible for fecal remediation.
BMPs need to recognize and be
trained about the hazards associated
with bird dropping removal. HEPA
cartridges for face masks and protec-
tive clothing such as Tyvek suits and
chemical-resistant gloves are a must
for bird feces removal.
Consult with hazardous material
experts before offering bird feces
removal services. Oddly enough, most
corporate clients currently opt to do the
dirty work themselves. Sometimes, this
means the job won’t be done or won’t
be done right, and in time secondary
pests and diseases may stem from the
residual fecal matter.
Fecal remediation is a must. Perhaps
if BMPs do a better job of educating
clients and prospects as to all of the
tools and tasks required to tackle this
unattractive job safely and effectively
(and of all of the issues that can stem
from ignoring the matter or placing
non-trained individuals in potentially
harmful situations), we can win more of
this market.
NETS, TRACKS & LEDGES
Bird netting denies bird entry to
roosting or nesting sites and often
can be the best long-term solution
for bird management.
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Soaring
from previous page
Netting is virtually invisible when
installed correctly and provides
immediate relief from birds.
However, highly skilled labor is
required when installing netting
because of the equipment used.
Employees also must be well versed
in fall protection, hand-tool selection
and use.
Bird net mesh sizes range from
1/4-inch to 4 inches. Many favor
3/4-inch-mesh polyethylene twine
netting because it’s strong and
durable and keeps out most pest
bird types. Other sizes can be used
when other factors such as product
visibility or weight of the netting is
a concern (the smaller the mesh
size, typically the more the netting
weighs).
Shock tracks are one of the newest
tools for bird control, particularly
Take the time
and care to do your
homework. Know
exactly what
you’re getting
into with each
job and how best
to control these smart, highly
adaptable, often relentless pests.
pigeons. Shock tracks are easy to
install, practically invisible from the
ground and provide long-term
control of birds.
Several manufacturers offer these
devices and each has its advantages.
For instance, one brand installs
rather quickly but may allow for
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water to accumulate between the
installed tracking. Consult with the
manufacturers before purchasing
shock tracking for the particular
application you are working on.
Ledges, whether man-made or
natural, provide pest birds’ protection
from predators and the elements.
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Eliminating ledges for bird roosts can be critical for
successful long-term bird control.
Ledge-altering devices are just the ticket for flat ledges
in front of windows, in parking garages and along
building facades.
These devices, once installed, create a 45-degree angle,
making the ledge nearly impossible for birds to land,
roost or nest on. Ledge-altering devices are easy to install
and can be painted to match the application.
PROCEED WITH CARE
When it comes to bird jobs, start small and think big —
big dollars and a minimum of 30 percent profit.
Don’t just jump at bird jobs merely to chase the
almighty dollar. Take the time and care to do your homework. Know exactly what you’re getting into with each
job and how best to control these smart, highly adaptable,
often relentless pests.
You can get creamed with labor time and equipment if
you don’t know what you’re doing on bird jobs. The bird
jobs and money are definitely there. You just have to be
smart, careful and always think safety first.
In general, I’m a big fan of netting and shock strips. In
select environments, you sometimes can get away with
not having to invest in pest bird control technologies. For
instance, in warehouses, BMPs often can say goodbye to
the pests with the flick of a switch. By turning on the
facility’s lights at night time and directing birds by flashlight out a door or opening and/or turning off the lights
in the day time and directing them outdoors using a laser
pointer, often warehouses can be kept fairly bird free.
The bottom line is the business is out there. Don’t be
afraid to partner with a BMP and to share some of the
profits. You can either outsource the work entirely to the
BMP or work beside him on jobs, split the profits, and
learn the ropes — or netting/tracking in this case. PC
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Collins is owner of Collins Pest Management in Evansville, Ind., a Pest Control
editorial advisory board member, and a board certified entomologist (BCE).
Contact him at 812-425-7000, or e-mail [email protected].
Need to Know
The first step to doing proper bird work is to perform a
complete inspection.
n Determine accurately the kind of bird pressure you’re
facing, and then design a program that will take care
of the problem.
n Discuss which party (the client or the PMP) will deal
with the bird feces and dispose of it.
n Don’t be afraid to partner with a more experienced
bird management professional and share the profits.
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MARCH 2006
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