Feathered Foes: Dealing with Birds

Birds, with their vibrant plumage and melodious songs, are often seen as symbols of freedom and beauty. However, when they become too comfortable in our human-dominated environments, they can transform into pesky nuisances. From property damage to health hazards, these feathered friends can quickly become unwelcome guests.

birds sitting on an electric wire

Birds: More Than Meets the Eye

While it’s easy to romanticize birds, it’s crucial to recognize the potential problems they can cause. Their presence can lead to a host of issues, including:

  • Property damage: Birds can cause significant damage to buildings, with their droppings corroding surfaces and their nesting activities clogging gutters and drains.
  • Health risks: Bird droppings can carry harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, posing a health risk to humans and pets.
  • Agricultural losses: In agricultural settings, birds can cause substantial crop damage, especially during harvest time.
  • Noise pollution: Large flocks of birds can generate excessive noise, disrupting peace and quiet.

The Migratory Bird Act: A Feathered Friend or Foe?

The Migratory Bird Act is a cornerstone of bird conservation in the United States. It protects most migratory bird species by prohibiting their killing, capture, or possession without a permit. While this law is essential for safeguarding bird populations, it also presents challenges when dealing with bird-related problems.

Due to the Migratory Bird Act, many traditional pest control methods, such as trapping or poisoning, are illegal. This means that homeowners and businesses often find themselves at a loss when dealing with bird infestations. Humane wildlife control, like what Prickly Pear offers, provides solutions that can produce results without violating the Migratory Bird Act. 

Fun Fact: The Migratory Bird Act protects bird nests from being disturbed when there are eggs or babies present. 

Bird Behavior: Why They Stick Around

Understanding bird behavior is crucial for effective bird management. Birds are creatures of habit, and once they discover a suitable location for roosting, nesting, or feeding, they tend to return year after year. This makes it essential to implement preventive measures to discourage them from returning.

Factors attracting birds to a particular area include:

  • Food sources: Bird feeders, garbage, and open food storage areas can attract birds.
  • Water sources: Birdbaths, ponds, and other water bodies provide essential resources for birds.
  • Shelter: Nesting sites, such as trees, shrubs, and building crevices, offer protection for birds.
  • Perching areas: Wires, ledges, and other elevated surfaces provide perching spots for birds.

Bird Management Tips

While the Migratory Bird Act imposes limitations, there are still effective and humane ways to deter birds from your property:

  • Habitat modification:
  • Remove bird feeders, birdbaths, and other attractants.
  • Trim trees and shrubs to reduce potential nesting sites.
  • Seal up any openings in your building that birds can use for entry.
  • Physical deterrents:
  • Install bird netting or spikes on vulnerable areas, such as ledges, roofs, and gutters.
  • Use visual deterrents, such as reflective tape or owl decoys.
  • Consider using auditory deterrents, such as distress calls or ultrasonic devices.
  • Employ harmless scare tactics, like water sprinklers or motion-activated lights.
  • Cleaning and sanitation:
  • Regularly clean up bird droppings to prevent the spread of diseases.
  • Disinfect contaminated areas with a disinfectant solution.
  • Professional help:
  • If you’re dealing with a severe bird infestation, consider contacting a wildlife control professional. They have the expertise and permits to handle bird problems effectively.

The Health Hazards of Bird Droppings

Bird droppings are not just unsightly; they can also pose serious health risks. These droppings can contain harmful bacteria, fungi, and parasites, which can cause respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal problems, and other health issues.

It’s essential to clean up bird droppings promptly and thoroughly to minimize the risk of contamination. Wear gloves and protective gear when cleaning up droppings, and avoid disturbing the dried droppings, as this can release airborne particles. Prickly Pear offers a service to clean and disinfect areas with heavy droppings which can help reduce your exposure to these health issues. 

A Note About Grackles 

If you live in central Texas, you have undoubtedly experienced the nuisance that a flock of grackles can create. Be it the bird poop covering your car, the loud screeching in the parking lot of your local HEB, or the sneaky thieves watching you on the patio of your favorite taco shop, these black birds seem to be everywhere! 

Despite their protected status as a songbird, most Texans only know of these birds as pests and the size of their flocks with hundreds of birds quickly give us images of Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds” from the 1960’s. Managing these birds has proven to be problematic for businesses, homeowners, and governments alike and while a large flock that has been using a roost (perhaps the trees in a local parking lot) is unlikely to be deterred by the usual bird deterrent, we have seen some success with a small flock and deterring them from selecting a new sight. But if you are dealing with an infestation of grackles, give Prickly Pear a call we would love to help. 

Conclusion

While birds are undoubtedly fascinating creatures, they can also become problematic when they overstay their welcome. By understanding bird behavior and implementing effective management strategies, you can minimize the negative impacts of these feathered visitors while still appreciating their beauty from a safe distance. Early prevention is key, and consistent efforts are essential to keep birds at bay. Also, if you are dealing with a nest, it can be frustrating, but we need to wait for the babies to grow and leave the nest before mitigating the bird issue. Professional companies, like Prickly Pear, have a variety of products at their disposal to not only deter birds, but to clean up the mess they left behind when they are gone.

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