The UK has 16 pest bird species across the country, creating worry and being harmful to buildings, businesses and human health.

The more aware you are of dangerous bird species, the types of building they target and how you can remove them, the better off you will be. 

Protecting Your Business from Birds

Wild birds are a nuisance and a pest, causing property damage and risking human health from the diseases they carry. Commercial bird control solutions are a necessity to deter birds and protect your business from bird droppings and keep customers and employees safe.

However, most bird species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning you cannot take measures to prevent birds from invading your space in some cases.

A professional pest control company may need to be involved at your commercial property when establishing control methods. Not only do they understand bird behaviours, but they can ensure all work carried out is done safely.

Despite the public health risks caused by pest birds, commercial buildings may require a licence when dealing with European starlings, pigeons, house sparrows and other birds. You cannot kill or capture wild birds or damage their nests and eggs as a form of bird control.

If you are found doing so, you can be fined. When dealing with nuisance birds, you have two options: acquiring a general licence to deal with them lethally or using non-lethal measures.

Of course, before you start taking action, you should work on preventative measures, stopping the birds from gaining access and nesting at your property in the first place. 

WHY ARE BIRDS A PEST?

What you can do without a licence: non-lethal bird control

If you are facing a pest bird problem, you should first attempt to settle the matter with non-lethal management. You can do this without acquiring a licence. 

1. Restricting birds access to food sources
2. Scaring birds away from commercial buildings with scarecrows or audible devices
3. Installing physical barriers to stop birds from roosting or nesting on roofs (can include bird netting).
4. Manage the nearby environment to make it less habitable to birds
5. Maintain human presence around the business

Birds will become familiar with the bird control devices you implement, but you shouldn't stop using them. Businesses that implement pest control measures that are both lethal and non-lethal will experience less property damage from pests, and their business health will improve overall.

As we said above, you should also start considering how you are creating a habitable environment for birds and how you can eliminate those things to prevent them from gaining access in the first place.

For example, the obvious bird feeders in your garden will attract species of all sizes, meaning you are inviting them into your space. As birds migrate to the UK in warmer seasons, you are more likely to experience larger numbers due to the food you are making available to them.

How your surrounding landscape is controlled plays a big part in how affected, you'll be by birds. 

When you need a licence: lethal control of wild birds

You should enquire about a wildlife licence when the bird damage at your property is becoming more extreme or you have attempted non-lethal means with no outcome. If there has been serious damage to the building or the continued presence of the bids is a risk to the health of humans, taking further measures is the right thing to do.

These licences are generally free and can be acquired from professional pest control companies, or you can get one yourself. You can use these licences to capture and kill specific wild birds, including removing their nests and eggs around vulnerable areas and entry points to your facilities.

If you have found an empty nest that you believe the birds are no longer using, you are permitted to remove it or destroy it without a licence. Registering for a class licence or individual licence will permit you to deal with the specific bird species affecting your property.

Acquiring a licence only allows you to kill birds using certain circumstances, like cage-trapping, shooting, egg oiling and destroying nests. Always follow animal welfare requirements when using your licence.

If you are unable to prove you have attempted to use non-lethal means and the birds are the ones causing the damage, you are not likely to be approved for a licence. Providing past experience from the same location can sometimes be sufficient. 

How does bird netting work?

An efficient way of preventing birds from entering your property is using bird netting, which makes rooftops and large areas inaccessible to birds. While birds use our roofs, gutters and properties to gather their nesting materials and roost, they can cause structural damage, loosen tiles and cause flooding and fire hazards.

When using bird netting, you use a low-profile, non-lethal method. The netting is attached to a wire rope frame on the roof, causing tension among the mesh that cannot be landed on.

Not only is this ideal for protecting rooftops, warehouses and stadiums, but netting can be used to stop birds from invading crop fields and affecting agricultural sites. If you spot signs of bird infestations and landing sites around your property, they could be spreading contamination, which isn't a good business message to spread.

Bird netting can help prevent birds from landing and feeding at your property while keeping visitors, customers and employees safe and happy.

While there is a range of quality products you can implement to prioritise human and property safety, developing a mix of methods is the best solution. 

How To Find A Bird Control Company

While birds are a noise nuisance and their droppings can damage structures, they can also spread deadly diseases such as E.Coli and Salmonella. Bird infestations can lead to other pests, such as bird mites, fleas and ticks, attracting wasps, mice and rats.

To get rid of birds, you are better off contacting a professional pest control company. Find a company with good customer references and experience dealing with the type of bird you're suffering from, whether on your roof ledges or crops.

The bird control measures used should also align with your goals and ethics, as some will rely on non-lethal methods like physical and visual deterrents, and some will offer lethal solutions. Ideally, you should use a combination of both, especially when dealing with a large infestation. Some methods are not suited for certain properties, though.

Netting may work exceptionally well on bridges, shelters and canopies, but you will see better results with spikes on ledges, gutters and chimneys. This is one of the main perks of using a pest control company.

Not only do pest control companies offer a range of services and products to help you deal with infestations, but they can stop you from doing it wrong and harming yourself in the process. The cost of a pest control company is always worthwhile in comparison to the losses your business may face due to continued exposure to birds.

However, always get three or four different quotes from differing businesses, as they can vary depending on your location, company and experience.If you require more support on removing birds from your business, please contact our team today. 

Are you looking for bird pest control services in Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke And Hampshire? 

Pest Control Hampshire are pest control specialists working throughout Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke And Hampshire. Contact us for pest controllers Eastleigh.

Follow the links below to find a pest control specialist to help resolve your pest infestation.