Executive Housekeeping Today - November 2008 - (Page 20)

Birds (continued from page12) temporarily, quick action must be taken to transform favorite roosting sites into uninviting places. Perches and nesting areas can be completely blocked off with the use of physical barriers. These devices generally come in the form of spikes, netting, or sticky gels. Ideally, these products will block off an area without causing harm to the birds that encounter them. Be selective in your choice of spikes, however, as some models are too sharp and hurt birds rather than simply acting as a barrier. Alternatively, some spikes are constructed so that smart birds can simply drop nesting materials in them and continue living in your building. Birds, like people, are multisensory. As a result, better results are obtained through a synergistic approach that targets as many senses as possible. Bolster physical barriers with other approaches that target each reason why birds like your facility. If they are eating plants around your building, apply a natural taste deterrent that contains methyl anthranilate (a natural, food-grade chemical derived from Concord grape skin). While harmless, the chemical irritates birds’ trigeminal systems (similar to our sense of smell) and gives them a feeling similar to the sensation humans get when we are exposed to bleach fumes. If your property is attractive because it provides birds with a feeling of safety, visual deterrents, ultrasonic devices, or distress call generators can make them feel unsafe without causing them any harm. Look for visuals with moving parts, such as balloons that feature owl-like holographic eyes, owl decoys with moveable parts, or holographic tape. Ultrasonic devices emit a subtle frequency that annoys birds, but goes undetected by most humans. They are especially useful inside buildings where people do not necessarily want to Be selective in your choice of spikes, as some models are too sharp and hurt birds rather than simply acting as a barrier. Alternatively, some spikes are constructed so that smart birds can simply drop nesting materials in them and continue living in your building. listen to recordings of bird distress calls intermittently throughout the day. Sonic deterrents (distress-call generators, predator-call generators) can add credence to the feeling that an area is unsafe and cover large areas effectively. Of course, birds are smart, so make sure your deterrents include an element of movement or change. Any sound deterrents that you utilize should include the ability to vary the intervals and types of sound effects broadcasted for longterm effectiveness. If you do not keep the “surprise factor” a part of your approach, birds will quickly become accustomed to whatever scare tactics you use, and frustratingly, ignore them. With an understanding of what goes into Green bird control, you can surely set up a system to oust these nuisance birds without compromising your ethics. Succeeding in this endeavor can make a huge difference in terms of morale, economics, and most importantly, safety. Remember, if the choices are overwhelming or you do not know where to start, there are always Green bird control experts who would be happy to help point out what strategies might work best for your specific problem. Once these strategies are put into action and have a chance to do their job, you’ll be able to do yours without wasting time with the birds. W All photos in this article courtesy of Bird-X, Inc. Bird-X, Inc. has been the leader in Green bird control (environmentally friendly, non-lethal) for over 40 years, If you have any questions, comments, or would like a free consultation about your bird situation, please feel free to contact Bird-X, Inc. at (800) 662-5021, or visit us on the Web at www.bird-x.com. Check out our new Web site! Log on to: www.ieha.org 20 Executive Housekeeping Today/November 2008 http://www.bird-x.com http://www.ieha.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - November 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - November 2008 Contents Executive Corner The Most Unwelcome Guests Good Housekeeping: Eliminating Pests from the Equation Frugal Housekeeper Director-at-Large Distribution Don’t Just Clean up After Birds—Get Rid of Them! Monday Night is Fly Night Green Pest Control Practices Executive Profile The Green Scene Keeping Hard Floors Clean For the Holidays Inside the Industry Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers’ Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA has Done for Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - November 2008

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