Birds
A common occurrence in urban and suburban areas, many species of birds are enjoyed by birdwatchers and spectators going about their day. Birds can bring much enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but can sometimes cause trouble if they get too comfortable on the roof of your home or business. Birds like gulls, pigeons, and woodpeckers have reputations for being a nuisance, due to their highly corrosive feces and other disruptive patterns. If birds are getting a little too close for comfort on your property and causing trouble, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to learn more about Wildlife X Team®'s bird population and learn how to address each bird removal issue properly.
Frequent Bird Complaints
Birds like seagulls are known for swooping down into dumpsters and eating leftover human food, and can even steal food from people as they are eating it. Some other common complaints regarding birds involve:
- Loud noises/squawking
- Frequent defecation, often accumulating corrosive feces on rooftops and sidewalks, which can cause damage to structures
Are Birds Really a Nuisance or Danger?
Birds are an important part of the natural environment, but when they are too close for comfort, please do not approach them. Different bird types can be carriers of fatal diseases. There are some things untrained homeowners can do to discourage birds from coming near, but birds are best left alone until the professionals are involved who know how to properly handle them. Call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today and get rid of birds!
There are approximately 10,000 different species of birds worldwide, many of which are revered for their beauty and grace. Birds are amazing creatures, they sing, fly, and astound with their gorgeous plumage—but when they are present in large numbers or are an invasive species they can present a huge problem.
- Birds have caused plane crashes, auto accidents, and even injured people on roller coasters.
- Large birds can carry away and kill small pets like cats and teacup-sized dogs and puppies.
- Bird droppings are messy and dangerous—they can cause environmental issues and illness.
- Some birds, known as nuisance birds, can cause myriad diseases and wreak havoc on property and monuments.
What Are Nuisance Birds?
Birds generally considered “nuisance birds” include pigeons, house sparrows, starlings, and many other birds. The presence of nuisance birds in unwanted areas can cause damage to your home or business, and their droppings will likely create unpleasant odors & sight.
Nuisance birds can damage rigid foam insulation, and their nests can become fire hazards. The first step in your nuisance bird control program should be identifying the bird. Important: The Migratory Bird Treaty and Endangered Species Acts prohibit trapping or killing of most nuisance birds, eggs, or nests without a permit. Nuisance birds like house sparrows, starlings, and pigeons are not protected under these Acts. Nuisance birds gain entry through construction gaps, chimneys, eaves, exhaust vents, and roof vents.
Types of Nuisance Birds
Pigeons
While it's true that the gentle coo of a pigeon can be charming, these nuisance birds cause extensive damage to property and carry disease, and are generally considered pests by the general public. Pigeons are especially destructive to urban areas, driving out native birds and leaving filth and destruction behind. Pigeons tend to live in urban centers due to the accessibility to food and shelter. Pigeons are identified by stout bodies, small heads, short legs, and gray & white feathers.
Sparrows:
Houses sparrows are a non-native species to North America. These birds are a nuisance to humans because they often choose to nest in buildings, they are very noisy, they defecate freely, and their droppings are corrosive. This nuisance bird is also known to take over territories and nesting sites of native birds which drives them away. Sparrows are identified by small bodies and brown and gray feathers.
Starlings:
Starlings tend to be very prolific birds, they often take over nesting areas of songbirds and other wildlife due to their aggressive nature. A starling’s feces can wreak havoc on the natural and man-made environment, by killing flora and defacing statues and buildings. They also play host to St Louis Encephaliti. Starlings are identified for their small, stocky, bodies, short tails, pointed yellow bills, and black feathers that shimmer iridescent green feathers in the summer and are replaced in winter with white spots.
Each of these nuisance birds can be difficult to manage, call Wildlife X Team® trained professional at (817) 431-3007 today before you risk the loss of property or exposure to disease.
Directly Transmitted Bird Diseases
Fungal Diseases spread through microscopic exposures:
Other diseases transmitted by birds:
What Damage Can Birds Cause?
Nuisance birds cause tens of millions of dollars of damage every year in America to machinery, automobiles, roofs, architectural design of a building, ventilation systems, and much more. Bird droppings and nesting material pose a host of physical issues which can become very serious if they are not corrected immediately. Birds and their droppings can spread more than 60 diseases to humans.
Are Bird Droppings Really Dangerous?
Bird droppings and urine are very acidic and corrosive in their makeup. They actually eat away at many building and structural materials. Droppings that accumulate on roofs or buildings will eat into the material and eventually cause leaks or other damage. The accumulation of pigeon droppings has actually caused roofs and canopies to collapse.
Pigeon, starling, and sparrow nests are often built in rain gutters, drains, and corners of roofs where drains are located and this can cost a property owner thousands to repair if it isn’t handled quickly.
- Nuisance bird droppings will fade paint finishes by actually eating into the protective coating and the paint itself. The longer the droppings sit on the paint, the more damage it will cause.
- Nuisance birds flying around the insides of stores, warehouses, airplane hangars, factories, and convention centers can wreak havoc. Bird droppings can destroy a number of different manufactured products. They will ruin new and old paint jobs on aircraft, and they can contaminate food products that are being made or packaged. This type of damage often causes millions of dollars in waste.
- Droppings on or around a building send a message to the public that this building is not properly maintained and is dirty.
- Birds eat and contaminate food and animal feed. They can also damage containers and packaging materials in which foods and feed are stored.
Dangerous Diseases from Birds
- Birds are also a major problem for health reasons. They will defecate and urinate all over the attic & inside walls. This introduces parasites, bacteria, and other nasty microscopic creatures to the interior environment of your business or home—all of which can cause serious consequences.
Damage Due to Bird Nesting
- Nesting material is usually very flammable— dried straw, twigs, and droppings are common nesting components. When birds build their nests inside electric signs, there is a great risk of fire. Sign companies attribute the majority of their sign fires to nuisance birds.
- Bird nests built in chimneys and air conditioning systems can not only spread diseases through the system, but can actually block airflow, which can be deadly when it leads to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Getting Rid of Birds
DIY bird removal is possible, but these clever and persistent avian pests may require several methods of removal and control to be kept away for good. Once a bird has established a nest, it can be difficult to keep them from coming back.
- Bird-proofing methods such as flash tape, bird spikes, and bird netting are all helpful in discouraging birds from coming back.
- Other optical deterrents and sonic repellents have also been useful.
If you don't have the time or knowledge to get rid of birds, the talented bird control specialists at Wildlife X Team® can help! For more information on getting rid of birds and keeping them off your business or home, contact our team at (817) 431-3007.
What options do I have for bird deterrents?
Common bird deterrents include bird spikes, reflectors, and netting. The type of bird deterrent that will be best for your home or building will depend on the type of nuisance bird and the look you’re comfortable having on your home.
How will you remove birds from my property?
The most effective method for removing birds is to discourage them from hanging around. There are many laws associated with trapping birds, so often the best option is to use deterrents.
How much does bird removal cost?
The cost of bird removal will vary case by case. If you have a bird problem, our experts will evaluate your home using our exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report.
