Get Rid of Pest Birds on Homes and Buildings

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds are attracted to the architectures in many cities and towns. This holds especially true for some of our cherished older buildings with their "gingerbread" sills, ledges, gables and towers. These nooks and crannies are pest bird enablers, providing some of the best bird habitats. In addition, new facades of ornamental block and other ancillary structures provide hundreds of new nest holes for pest birds to call home. Churches often have pigeons roosting in their sculptured walls and around their "decorative-only" bells. Getting rid of pest birds is important to maintain the physical and aesthetic integrity of these buildings and structures.

Many apartment complexes draw sparrow infestations before construction is completed. Some construction methods even permit movement of ectoparasites into these apartments. Shopping centers and drive-in restaurants are vulnerable to sparrow infestations due to ceiling construction with corrugated metal sections or stamped beams, which leave openings throughout enclosed parts of a roof. Air-conditioning equipment, electrical boxes, open light fixtures, and wall or ceiling signs also provide nesting areas for pest birds. Decorative concrete block is often used as a "fence" to hide air-conditioning systems. These blocks create ideal pest bird nesting habitats. Getting rid of pest birds is an important part of overall building maintenance.

Fluorescent fixtures and I-beams in open-walled structures create prefabricated ledges for bird nests. This is a condition found in many open-walled drive-in restaurants--where there's always an abundance of food scraps to feast on. Many birds, in fact, will dive onto tables to pick up food and leave disease-carrying droppings behind.

Thankfully, there are a number of effective and humane bird control products to keep pest birds off private and public property. Most are maintenance free and easy to install.

Time to Get Rid of Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

Wild turkeys recently invaded an otherwise quiet Vallejo, California neighborhood, creating a nuisance and harassing small children and pets. The turkeys chased kids on their way to school and even went after U.S. mail carriers, in some cases, preventing deliveries. The birds were very aggressive and didn't respond to loud noises or being "fluffed" by umbrellas. They were messy, loud and often ran after cars. Many residents agreed--it was time to get rid of birds.

Some who liked the turkeys were feeding them, but Oakland Zoo officials say feeding the turkeys is not a good idea, since wild turkeys should not be domesticated and must maintain their fear of humans. Officials have reminded residents that these turkeys are not of the "Thanksgiving" variety, but were introduced to California for the purpose of gaming. Many who see the turkeys as bothersome, say they don't want to hunt the gobblers, they just want them relocated to the wild. For some, getting rid of birds is a top priority.

Whether you like them or hate them, wild turkeys who wander into suburbs and other populated areas should be persuaded to leave one's immediate property. Fortunately one can now do so efficiently and humanely.

Wish You Could Get Rid of Birds?

by Alex A. Kecskes

The ancients believed that birds represented the souls of the dead, and that a bird attacking a window or trying to enter a house was thought to be the soul of a dead person coming to lead the deceased's body into the afterlife.

While a few still believe birds to be souls on the wing, most consider them to be either friends or foe, sans the mysticism. As friends they cheer us up with song. As foe, we simply want to get rid of birds, since they so often cost us time and aggravation. Their droppings can destroy rooftop ventilators, solar panels and air conditioners. They can ruin the paint on our homes and cars, cause us to slip and fall on their slick poop. And even make us seriously ill.  In the past, birds were simply killed--shot, trapped or poisoned. But today, fortune favors the kind. And we now have a variety of humane and highly effective ways to get rid of birds.

8 Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons

Image via Wikipedia

by Alex A. Kecskes

Not long ago, feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square became an offense with violators being fined. In one city, pest birds had learned to associate a school's lunch bell with feeding time and would aggressively pester children for food. The fact is, "get rid of pigeons" has become the battle cry in many cities, towns and parks throughout the world. Especially as city health officials become increasingly aware of the many diseases carried by pigeon droppings.

The truth is, pigeons can create a number of serious problems. Gathering in flocks on buildings, pigeons can constitute a threat to human health and safety. The mess and droppings left by pigeons can negatively impact the appearance of a business. Often, the sheer weight of bird droppings can lead to structural collapse, particularly ceilings. It can also have a negative impact on a business's workforce. This includes the slip-and-trip hazards bird droppings leave on walkways, steps and entrances. It's no wonder more property owners seek ways to get rid of pigeons.