Warehouse War – How to Control Invading Birds

 

Learn the best tips for deterring pest birds in a warehouse. Get affordable DIY methods that might work for you. If all else fails, hiring an experienced bird removal company will save time and aggravation and get the results you’re looking for with a guarantee.

Ownership and management of a warehouse is no easy task. It’s even harder when you have extraneous aggravators like birds. To the average person, birds are harmless creatures of beauty, but to the warehouse manager, they can be a harbinger of dread.

Birds anywhere near a warehouse spell trouble. A warehouse is a paradise for birds, where they can avoid weather and predators. They find cunning ways inside to nest when you least expect it. In the process, they destroy and devalue property while being a general nuisance and distraction in the workplace.

All is not lost, however. There are several wily ways to beat birds at their own game. To choose the best line of defence, identify the species and recognize their roosting habits. Once you know your enemy, the battle is half won.

The next step is to engage your defence. Choose a tactic tailored to fight off your particular invading species for the best results.
Scare Devices

The first thing everyone thinks of when there is a bird problem is scaring devices. After all, we still use scarecrows in the garden because they work.

A well-placed plastic snake or inflatable owl can work wonders, but birds become aware of decoys fairly quickly, especially if they aren’t moved regularly, which can be difficult in warehouses with high roofs.

There are many products available that are more suited to large open spaces such as a warehouse. Audio scare devices can be a more effective route. A popular sound deterrent you see in gardens all over the country is aluminum pie plates. Tie them along the length of the rafters, so they clang together in the breeze.

Another spin on the decoy idea is decoy sounds. Birds hear sounds on the same level as humans and can recognize the sounds of a predator and warning calls from other birds. These products emit distress calls and predator calls that scare birds away from the area.

Consider Door and Large Opening Usage

Big bay doors that stay open constantly are bird attractions. They will continue to fly into any large opening as long as the opportunity presents itself. Keeping the doors closed when not in use can be a big deterrent. Birds will not attempt to fly in while there is human action nearby.

Another option is to hang heavy plastic sheeting over doorways that stay open. It is a low-cost resolution that doesn’t hamper people going in and out but does keep the birds out.

Bird Netting

Another economical solution is bird netting. Just as it sounds, bird netting is a net fabric used to wrap around objects birds like to eat or nest in. It can be used in a warehouse to protect the rafters. The squares of the net should be approximately ¾ inch to deter smaller birds such as starlings and sparrows from nesting.

You can also use lightweight netting to capture birds flying in the warehouse and release them outdoors. Once released, they are usually afraid to fly back inside. This is a more time-consuming option and best used with smaller scale bird issues.

Wires and Spikes

There are several types of commercial wires and spikes that deter birds from landing and roosting. Some emit a mild shock. Porcupine wire is an efficient option. The steel wires point out in all directions, keeping birds from landing without harming them.

Alternately, you can run razor wire or barbed wire among the rafters to deter roosting and nesting. The birds cannot balance or land among the sharp edges. They also cannot build nests among the wire.

Repellent Gels

Birds hate sticky or slippery substances. There are many gels on the market designed for this purpose. Coating the high beams in warehouse rafters deters birds from landing or nesting. Most of these gels get coated in dirt eventually and must be replaced.

A great option in gel bird deterrents is optical gels. This type of product works in three different ways to repel birds from rafters and beams. It appears to be a fiery glob as birds fly above it and it smells like citronella, a smell birds detest. It is also very sticky and gooey, which birds avoid at all costs.

Chemical Bird Repellents

There is a range of chemical bird repellents on the market. They taste and smell bad to birds without causing harm. As with most animal deterrents, they work best when you choose a formula specific to the type of pest you are experiencing. Chemical bird repellents typically last approximately two weeks when used outdoors and even longer when used indoors.

Bird Population Control

A bird problem can become overwhelming fast. Birds like pigeons reproduce quickly, and before you know it there are thousands of them. One approach is to feed them birth control while simultaneously using another deterrent such as audio deterrents or spikes. This allows the population to decline while still chasing off problem birds.

Eliminate Food Sources

Just like other animals, birds prefer to make their homes near sources of food and water. Fruit trees, fruit-bearing shrubs, vegetable plants, and bird feeders attract birds. Remove anything birds can use for a food or water source from the property.

Birds cause immeasurable damage in a warehouse setting. Their droppings corrode anything they land on, not to mention the opportunity they provide for slip and fall accidents. Birds with eggs in their nests become combative. They may swoop down on workers in the warehouse, causing injury and work distraction.

Fighting off an invading flock of birds can be hard work. It often requires the use of several types of deterrents. Using a mixture of audio, visual, and blocking techniques has the most positive effect.

A bird invasion is stressful and costly, but it can be overcome with strategically placed deterrents.