Spring has sprung! The sun is out, the air smells of cherry blossoms, and the birds are chirping. What does this have to do, you ask, with pest control? Well, while most people consider a few robins or sparrows friendly visitors to their yard or as they fly overhead, birds in large numbers can actually be considered an infestation, and whether you are dealing with one overly-friendly blue jay or a bunch of nests around the outside of your house, birds can bring with them different pests, a mess, disease, and even some damage to your property.
Read on to learn how to identify whether your winged visitors are becoming an issue, and contact a certified pest control service like Sentry Pest Control, so you can again enjoy the sound of morning songbirds without worry.
What Bird Species Will I See?
On Vancouver Island, we enjoy a wide range of beautiful bird species as some just use us as a rest stop during their migration, and others come to make their home for spring and summer. Here are some of the more common birds you may see:
Hummingbirds | Swans | Thrushes | Coots |
Mallards | Barred Owls | Doves | Red-winged Blackbirds |
Geese | Robins | Wrens | Sandpipers |
Quails | Loons | Herons | Kingfishers |
Seagulls | Bald Eagles | Oyster Catchers | Cormorants |
What Do I Look For?
To understand if you are on the verge of dealing with an infestation, there are some signs to be on the lookout for:
A Lot of Birds, for a Long Time
We often see different species of birds flock to our neighborhoods during the spring or the fall. This is common! However, if you start noticing that there are a lot of birds, and many nests, in your yard, and they seem to not be going anywhere, this can be a sign that they’ve settled on your property.
Bird Droppings
It’s easy to enjoy a couple bird families singing in the morning, but when you start seeing (and smelling) an abundance of bird droppings, it can be a sign that birds have settled in, and it is time to call a pest control company for help mitigating the bird population in your yard.
Birds in your Roof and in your Eaves
Birds will find entry points into your home or business, as they can find an ideal habitat for their nests, and also ideal nesting materials. Look for openings that birds could be using to roost – do you see any evidence of birds, such as tears or holes, bird droppings, or feathers?
Among the goals of birds is to build their nests where they can lay eggs. If there is a potential entry point in your home or business premises, it can become an ideal habitat for pest birds.
Surround-Sound Alarm Clocks
It is lovely to hear birds singing in the morning, but if you start waking up to too much noise, this means that it might be time to use bird control techniques. Also be aware of pecking sounds on your roof or your structures, as birds could be making themselves at home with new nesting materials or scrounging for food.
Additional Pests
Birds can attract other pests, like fleas, flies, mites, and even rodents. If you haven’t had issues with these pests before and are noticing other signs of a bird infestation, this can be good confirmation that indeed, the birds have made your home into their home, too.
Smells and Signs of Rotting Materials and Garbage
Some birds, like pigeons, will break into garbage or compost cans if they can manage it! This causes the smells and the waste to spread and make a mess. Additionally, you may start smelling rotting materials or bird droppings, which could come from damaged stock from pecking and bird droppings.
What are The Issues From a Bird Infestation?
Besides some odours, or unsightly droppings, or even an early morning bird serenade, why should you care about an abundance of birds around your property? Well, birds can cause a lot of problems in the long run, and not being able to control an infestation right away can result in more expensive repairs later.
Here are some concerns for your property and health if your bird problem is not solved:
Bird Droppings
Bird droppings can be dangerous for your house and your health. Birds are known to carry at least 60 diseases can be transmitted to, and among, humans. These diseases include salmonellosis, histoplasmosis and candidiasis. Some diseases can even be fatal, and others can cause serious health complications!
Droppings can also cause property damage. The substances in their droppings can corrode metal and other materials, causing irreversible and sometimes dangerous structural damage. These droppings also make the surface slippery and cause accidents.
Blockage of Vents, Chimneys and Rafters
When birds find their way into your house’s structure, they leave behind more than just droppings. Their feathers and nests can cause fire hazards in your heating or cooling system and in your chimney. Nests can also be found in your rafters, chimneys, or eaves. The birds can widen cracks and tear holes in the eaves or rafters as they look to build their own little homes and roost.
Bringing in More Pests
Who wants to deal with those additional insects and even rodents that birds either bring with them or attract? Rodents cause structural damage and bring health hazards, and insects can bring their own infestation consequences.
Aggressive Parents
Just like other parents, birds can tend to get aggressive when tending to their hatchlings. Some birds, such as geese, will attack people or pets who get too close for their comfort.
Take Action!
If you think the birds have taken over your property, or you’re concerned about new nests and sightings, it’s best to eliminate the full on invasion of birds before they settled in, and damage is done. There are many solutions used by most bird pest control companies, and they are as friendly as possible to the birds. No one wants to have to kill the birds, therefore using techniques and tools that discourage them from building their nests, roosting and hatching in human populated areas and workplaces is what is most common. Contact a professional pest management service, like Sentry Pest Control, for a consultation. Professional services will have the knowledge, tools, and exclusion techniques to prevent a major infestation and provide ongoing elimination support.
コメント