The sound of birds chirping can be peaceful to some people, as it commonly signals the start of springtime. However, this isn’t always the case at commercial facilities, where the presence of birds can pose a variety of risks to employees and customers. Luckily, Copesan are experts in commercial bird control and can help you navigate your avian infestation. Birds can lead to a variety of issues at your business, beyond just the obvious annoyances:
1. Customer and Employee Health Risks
Birds may carry many diseases and viruses, including coli and salmonella. Diseases can be transferred from birds to humans when someone inhales airborne spores from dried droppings, or consumes products contaminated by feathers or droppings.
2. Product and Brand Risks
Birds may damage product packaging while trying to access food inside. Bird droppings or feathers may also contaminate open product. If you are a third-party audited business, the sight of birds or simply evidence of bird presence, may lead to audit failure or business shutdown, putting your brand reputation at risk.
3. Building Integrity Risk
Birds may damage a building’s structural integrity by dislodging roof tiles, destroying insulation, or blocking drainage systems with their nesting materials. These situations can lead to flooding issues, fire hazards and costly repairs. Furthermore, bird droppings are very acidic and may cause damage to structures over time if not properly cleaned up.
4. Risk to Your Bottom Line
Many of the issues described can lead to costly repairs or lost revenue as a result of process shutdowns or damaged products.
Pest Bird Prevention
This variety of risks illustrate the importance for strong bird prevention efforts at your facility. When working to deter birds, it is important to remember what pest birds are in search of:
- Food
- Water
- Areas for shelter, roosting or nesting
If your facility provides even just one of those needs, the likelihood of birds to stay at your facility will increase. The best defense against pest birds is to eliminate any attractants and maintain your facility regularly. Here are a few tips to aid in your bird prevention efforts:
- Encourage employees to not feed the birds.
- Keep all doors and windows closed when not in use.
- Ensure any damaged screens or gaps in doors (including dock doors) are fixed.
- Make your parking lot a food desert by eliminating any food sources and keeping it clean.
- Keep trash receptables and dumpsters sealed. Dumpsters, trash bins and their surrounding areas should also be kept clean.
- Watch for any evidence of birds (droppings, nesting materials) and talk to your pest management provider about any concerns you have.
Looking for more information on bird prevention?
Watch our Birds playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAYic96BdkQ&list=PLNQA8v46xvBxa0mK1GWOM9–jQKfQ18o5
Download our FREE Banning Birds from Your Business infographic.