The spring pest season is about more than just pests that creep or crawl on the ground; it includes those that fly in and around your facility as well. For commercial facilities with potential nuisance bird issues spring is an important time to take action.
With migratory birds returning from their winter hiatus it is critical to prevent them from establishing nesting sites in and around your facility. The timing, especially with swallows and woodpeckers, is vital because these species are protected by federal law and cannot be disturbed once they establish a nesting site and lay eggs.
“We are seeing increased bird activity with many of our accounts,” says Keith Rowney, Sprague’s special services manager and resident bird expert. “From migratory species, like swallows and geese, to everyday nuisance species including sparrows, starlings and pigeons, spring is definitely the time to review your bird management program.”
As birds search for nesting sites and mates, and gather materials to construct their nests, commercial property owners, managers, building engineers and quality assurance managers need to monitor their facility – inside and out – for signs of bird activity.
If you do notice bird activity, contact the Sprague Pest Experts immediately. We will assess the situation, survey and document our findings, and create a timeline and action plan that meet your operational and budget requirements.
“Timing is critical in the spring when it comes to bird management because of the protected species,” says Rowney. “If you allow a nesting site to be established you cannot touch it until fall when the birds vacate the area for the winter.”
Waiting will force commercial clients as well as their customers to endure a summer of unsightly and annoying bird droppings in and around their facility. And for clients involved in food processing the presence of birds can lead to an increased risk of contamination of food materials and packaging as a result of bird droppings.
“The increased awareness third-party audit inspectors are placing on bird issues is making clients take a second look at their protocols,” says Rowney. “There is very little tolerance for having bird infestations that present serious health risks such as listeria or salmonella in or around a food plant.”
Using the latest bird exclusion technology and practices including netting and landing deterrents, Sprague will design a custom solution for your facility.
Rowney says Sprague is also offering clients a long-term approach to reduce the size of nuisance bird flocks– bird birth control. The service leverages a U.S. EPA approved product that has also been recognized by the Humane Society of the United States as a humane treatment method for bird management.