Effective Bird Control

29 June, 2009

Tourists are now flocking to Britain's coast & seaside resorts, for a long weekend break or a staycation. Less welcome visitors to the seaside attractions, however, include seagulls and pigeons. At Rentokil, reports of "increasingly aggressive and troublesome behaviour from birds in coastal towns and cities are already on the increase". The start of the summer months brings with it the beginning of the gull mating season, which can mean problems for visitors and owners of hotels, restaurants, cafes and any other business that relies on the tourist trade. 

Tourist hotspots provide a multitude of food sources - particularly after a hot, sunny weekend. Food can be littered on the streets and discarded scraps from weekend visitors, mean that the populations of birds such as pigeons and gulls thrive. With food, birds and people in such close quarters, the risk of spreading a range of diseases is significant. In many cases birds feed from polluted sources such as rubbish dumps, and bring germs directly to human environments such as picnic tables or outside restaurant areas along the seafront.

The most common diseases spread in this way include salmonella (which can result in high temperatures, diarrhoea and blood poisoning) and campylobactor coli (causing an infectious diarrhoeal illness) among others. Gulls and pigeons often cause  the most trouble. Pigeons carrying the widest range of diseases of any bird, and have a tendency to breed very quickly. Gulls are particularly problematic in coastal towns due to their sheer numbers and often aggressive behaviour, especially during the mating season from May to August.

Aside from protecting the the health of the local population and visiting tourists, councils and local authorities also need to protect their buildings from harm.Due to the architecture and typical flat roofs along seafronts, gulls love nesting there. Problems arise when the nests cause the roofs to flood by blocking the drainage.

The importance of proofing and defending buildings from bird damage must be balanced with the need to take a considerate approach to the treatment of wildlife. So a sensitive approach is needed by any public body looking to restrict their movement.

Taking such considerations into account, Rentokil has a range of methods for preventing birds becoming problematic, focussing on the principles of exclusion and restriction. Most commonly employed methods include wire or point deterrent systems. These wire strands and metal points are non-lethal and discreet ways in which birds are prevented from settling on and around buildings, with benefits including a reduction in noise, mess and the risk of infection to staff and visitors.

For local businesses that rely on tourism, undetected bird nests can have knock-on effects for other maintenance systems, as well as upsetting customers which can cause irreparable damage to reputation. A common complaint from restaurants, cafes and hotels with outdoor dining areas is the noise pollution that gulls bring. The tourism industry relies heavily on good online reviews and recommendations, it is crucial that potential customers are not put off visiting a premise due to the nuisance of gulls. Pest Control professionals are able to help hotel and restaurant owners check hidden areas around their buildings such as air conditioning systems and roof eaves, which are often found to house undetected nests.

Businesses and authorities should ensure they take a sensitive approach when considering the best way to tackle bird infestations. They need to anticipate potential issues in advance of a bird infestation, by taking preventative measures to exclude and restrict their populations. Working with Pest Control professionals, they can benefit from the expertise and extensive experience necessary to ensure this. Pest Control experts are in the best position to advise on the most effective ways to ensure safeguards, to avoid both exterior damage to buildings and possible public health risks. Where birds are concerned it is always best to start proofing work sooner rather than later.

Related article in the Bournemouth Daily Echo: Seagulls flock to Bournemouth takeaways

Related article in the Gloucestershire Echo: Stop feeding dirty pigeons