Pest Brief: Bird Controls 101
By: Robert (Bob) Batman

Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Orders: Various orders
Family: Various families
Species: Various species
Genus: Various

1. At one time Best was very active in performing bird controls, however, due to the current restrictions and various legal ramifications regarding bird controls, our company, for good reason, no longer provides controls for bird problems.

2. Any control which endangers protected birds, including migratory birds and threatened and endangered species, is very risky, to say the least. Probably the safest most effective approach to bird control is wire, string or plastic netting which can be attached to a structure in an attempt to prevent birds access to those areas where they roost (nest), sit, or enter.

3. Repellents including shiny aluminum plates, large plastic owls (electronic or other), decoys, scarecrows, noise devices, lights, and sticky substances offer questionable control considering the trouble and costs, and we have found them to be very temporary: the birds soon ignore these controls.

4. Pesticide (chemical) controls are not friendly to non-target birds and the risk with respect to migratory and threatened/endangered species is of concern (see paragraph 1 above). Certain pesticides, which are no longer available and some which still are but can no longer be used for such purpose, offered very effective controls for pest birds. There are basically two types of chemical (pesticide ) controls available:1) those that disorient and 2) those which kill. Before you decide whether or not to use these products, I'd recommend you read numbers 1 and 2 above and the following notice. NOTICE: KEEP PESTICIDES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS OFF TREATED SURFACES UNTIL DRY AND AS INSTRUCTED BY THE PRODUCT LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL BEFORE PURCHASE AND USE, AND READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS.

5. Mechanical control devices can also cause injury to non-target birds, and some, depending on placement, could be within the reach of children: this is a no-no (keep these things out of the reach of children).

6. There is a new liquid pesticide labeled for ground application which claims it does not harm any animals, but discourages geese. I live in a lake community where thousands of geese visit the lake and yards on a year-around basis. The problem here is getting enough people on board to provide effective control and keeping people (including children) off treated areas until the product is dry. Treating only one or a few yards does not seem to provide effective control in our community.

WOODPECKERS: Woodpeckers, non-game migratory birds, are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and some are further protected by state laws, so be very careful what you do regarding this bird. Woodpeckers peck wood for a variety of reasons: 1) to nest, 2) for food...insect infested wood, 3) to attract mates and/or to establish territories. They will also peck on guttering and other metal items for this purpose, 4) to create a food depository: some peck several small holes in which they deposit acorns, and this can be very disturbing to a homeowner who has wood siding on his/her house. Good Luck!

PEST BIRDS: The following are considered common pest birds in our operational area: 1) English sparrows, 2) European starlings and, 3) pigeons. Generally speaking, the rest come under either federal or state protection laws. Both the pest control operator and property owner should be well versed in the regulatory restrictions (federal, state, and local ordinances) before attempting any control methods for birds, including pest birds.

DISEASE AGENTS: Various disease agents and ectoparasites are associated with bird nests and droppings (bird droppings can contain disease causing spores). Pigeons present a very serious health problem in urban environments: over 50 disease agents and ectoparasites are associated with pigeons! Roosting starlings account for at least 25 disease agents and ectoparasites. Histoplasmosis, a lung disease, and Legionnaire's disease are two of the more famous diseases transmitted by spores from the droppings of these pest birds.

Story Time: "Bird droppings and spores." Years ago we use to treat starling roosting sites (the trees and soil) with formaldehyde pursuant local health department and/or HUD requirements prior to construction of multi-unit residential complexes. The formaldehyde was the only thing licensed for such use that would actually kill the spores. We had to wear special coveralls, special respirators, rubber boots and gloves, and a special head and eye protection device to apply the formaldehyde. The protective clothing and equipment also protected us from spore contamination (these spores can become airborne). We had to post guards around the treatment site for 72 hours following the treatment to keep people out. We didn't have much trouble with pets and wildlife because the formaldehyde stunk so bad and the fumes really irritated lungs and eyes. Pets and wildlife, unlike people, wouldn't get near the area. We also treated vacant poultry barns and pigeon roosts for the same reasons. This service, the only effective control for the problem, is no longer available.

HEY, CONGRESSPERSON! In recent history federal and state legislative bodies have enacted certain legislation which appears to subordinate the rights of people to that of wildlife. If you don't like this turn of events, you should write your congresspersons about it and support those special interest groups and political candidates which oppose such legislation: that's about all you can do about it. Wildlife and endangered species legislation should be, in my opinion, reasonably flexible in certain situations, and some of it is not. I believe this problem is common knowledge, but is anything being done about it? Why not? Hey, congressperson!