Bird control

Birds are often overlooked as a pest problem. But over time, they can have a big impact on your reputation and bottom line due to the following issues:

• Public health risks
• Safety hazards
• Damage to structures, equipment, and property
• Aesthetic concerns
• Secondary pest issues
• Noise complaints
• Neighboring property concerns
• Construction and project delays

Bird control is a sensitive topic. In addition to federal laws, many states and local jurisdictions have laws to protect various bird species. Our dedicated bird control team is familiar with the appropriate licenses and permits required to solve your issue.

Rentokil takes additional precautions to ensure the safety of your property, your employees, customers, and our teams, including pre-work safety inspections, ground safety crews on site, and other situation-dependent measures, such as traffic control.

Diseases carried by birds

Birds and their droppings can carry over 60 diseases that can be transmitted to humans. In addition to the diseases listed below, birds are associated with over 50 kinds of ectoparasites, including bed bugs, chicken mites, and yellow mealworms. According to Medical News Today, here are some examples of diseases transmitted by birds that pose significant health risks to humans:

• Histoplasmosis is a severe respiratory disease caused when humans inhale the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus, which grows in dried bird and bat droppings.
• Candidiasis is a yeast or fungal infection spread by pigeons. The disease affects the skin, mouth, intestines, urogenital tract, and respiratory system.
• Cryptococcosis is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system.
• Salmonellosis can be traced to droppings of pigeons, starlings, and sparrows and result in dried waste bacteria that can be sucked into air conditioners or vents, contaminating the food and cooking surfaces of restaurants and food processing plants.
• Escherichia coli (E. coli) - When birds peck on cow manure infected with E.coli, birds infected with this bacteria can spread it to human food and water supplies.

Signs of a bird infestation

Have you noticed birds’ nests around your property? Are their noises starting to irritate you? Recognizing the signs of a severe problem and getting an immediate solution can drastically reduce the time needed to control pest birds effectively. Here are some signs that you may need bird control:

• Bird droppings – Check steps, sidewalks, building exterior, ledges, gutters, and signage for bird droppings, which could be a risk of a slip and fall hazard.
• Nests – Birds can nest in locations like ventilation ducts, HVAC systems, and even inside your business at entry points.
• Roosting – Watch for birds gathering in parking lots, on cars, near outdoor seating areas, ledges, and even on roofs.
• Noises and swooping—Birds around your property can produce waste, noise, and swooping, which can cause problems for customers and staff.
• Customer complaints – Unresolved bird issues at your business may result in minor customer complaints, which can turn into bad reviews and negative publicity.

How to look for bird problems

If you suspect you have a bird problem, it’s essential to identify the signs early. Here are some ways you can check for potential bird infestations on your property:

• Are birds perching on or near your building?
• Do you see nests around your building or in or behind signage?
• Are birds flying into vents or gaps around your building?
• Do you have food sources like uncovered dumpsters, outdoor dining areas, and bird feeders on your property?
• Do you see bird droppings on sidewalks, entryways, windows, parked cars, HVAC units, roofs, gutters, and ledges?

Rentokil has a team of experts ready to help you get rid of pest birds using methods that won’t harm the birds or disrupt your business. If you have spotted the signs of a bird infestation, call us today at 1-855-633-6260 or contact us online.

Bird control services for every industry

Rentokil provides professional bird management services for the following industries:

At Rentokil, we understand the threat pest birds can pose to your business and customers. We are experts in bird control and will use the most effective solutions to help keep birds away from your company. 

Contact us at 1-855-633-6260 to schedule a free consultation with one of our bird experts.

Bird prevention tip sheets