London’s urban environment, with its historic buildings and bustling commercial areas, often attracts a variety of bird species. While birds can add charm to the city’s landscape, they can also become a nuisance for commercial properties. Birds like pigeons, seagulls, and starlings can cause significant problems—from property damage to health risks.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on dealing with birds at your commercial property in London.
Understanding the Problem
- Types of Birds: As stated above, common birds that cause issues in London include pigeons, seagulls, and starlings. Each species has different behaviors and nesting habits that can affect your property.
- Problems Caused:
- Property Damage: Bird droppings are highly acidic and can corrode building materials, leading to costly repairs. Birds can also damage roofs, ventilation systems, and signage.
- Health Risks: Bird droppings can harbor diseases such as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis, posing health risks to employees and customers.
- Noise and Disturbance: Birds, particularly seagulls, can be very noisy, causing disturbances that affect the working environment.
- Pests: Birds can attract other pests such as mites, ticks, and fleas, which can infest the building.
Preventive Measures
- Bird-Proofing Your Property: Implementing bird-proofing measures can deter birds from roosting and nesting on your property:
- Netting: Bird netting can be installed to cover large areas like rooftops and courtyards, preventing birds from accessing these spaces.
- Spikes and Gels: Installing spikes on ledges, signs, and other flat surfaces can prevent birds from perching. Anti-roosting gels can also be applied to deter birds.
- Electric Track Systems: These systems deliver a mild shock to birds, deterring them from landing without causing them harm.
- Environmental Modifications: Making changes to the environment can reduce the attractiveness of your property to birds:
- Waste Management: Ensure that rubbish bins are covered and waste is properly disposed of to reduce food sources that attract birds.
- Landscaping: Avoid planting trees and shrubs near building entrances where birds can nest and roost.
Active Deterrence
- Visual and Auditory Deterrents: Use visual and auditory devices to scare birds away from your property:
- Decoys: Install decoys such as owls or hawks to scare birds away. Move these decoys regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
- Sound Systems: Install sound systems that emit distress calls or predator sounds to deter birds. These systems can be automated to activate at intervals.
- Falconry: Employ professional falconry services. Trained birds of prey can be used to scare away nuisance birds naturally and effectively.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Regulations: It’s important to be aware of UK laws regarding bird control. Many bird species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means you need to use humane and legal methods for bird control.
- Ethical Practices: Always opt for humane bird control methods that do not harm the birds. Avoid using poisons or traps that can cause unnecessary suffering.
Professional Services
- Bird Control Specialists: Hire professional bird control services that have expertise in dealing with bird-related issues. They can assess your property, recommend appropriate measures, and implement them effectively, such as undertaking bird proofing in London.
- Maintenance Contracts: Consider setting up a maintenance contract with a bird control company to regularly monitor and maintain bird-proofing measures.
Monitoring and Maintenance
- Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of your property to identify and address any potential bird problems early.
- Maintenance of Bird-Proofing Measures: Ensure that bird-proofing measures like netting and spikes are regularly maintained and repaired if damaged.
To Sum Up
Dealing with birds at your commercial property in London requires a combination of preventive measures, active deterrence, and professional expertise. Investing in professional bird control services and techniques can provide peace of mind and ensure that your property remains bird-free and well-maintained.
