Bird Control in ScotlandWhat You Need to Know

John Barclay, General Manager

Excel Environmental Serviceshttp://www.excelenvironmental.co.uk

Bird Control

Crow Corvus corone

Collared Dove Streptopelia…

…decaocto

Greater Black Backed Gull Larus marinus

Lesser Black Backed Gull Larus fuscus

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Jackdaw Corvus monedela

Bird Control Cont’…

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Magpie Pica pica

Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Sparrow Passer domesticus

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

So, What’s the Problem?

• Regulation 25 of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 states:

“The structure of food rooms must be kept clean and in good condition so as to prevent risk of infestation by rats, mice or insects”.

So, What’s the Problem Cont…

• This was altered by the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 to include;

“…birds, so we must make our customers aware that there is a basis in law for the control of birds…”

The problems caused by birds include: (next slide)

Bird Control Problems

1. Disease;

Birds can transmit food poisoning organisms, including Salmonella. They can also pass on Ornithosis , a flu related virus and Psittacosis which caused a pneumonic-like illness. Pigeon breeders may some times contract “Pigeon Fanciers Lung” which is a respiratory disease.

Extra Reading on Disease

Salmonellahttp://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/SalmonellaPsittacosishttp://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Psittacosis/GeneralInformation/psiControlofPsittacosisBird Fancier Lunghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_fancier%27s_lung

Bird Control Problems

2. Insect Infestations;

In addition to bacteria and viruses, a large number of insect and mite species live in bird fouling and nesting material, as well as on the live and dead birds themselves.

These include; (next slide).

BluebottlesGreenbottlesLarder BeetleVaried Carpet BeetleFur BeetleAustralian Spider BeetleGolden Spider BeetleBrown House MothWhite Shouldered House MothBiscuit BeetleFlour MitePoultry Red MiteVarious Lice

Bird Control Problems

3. Building Damage;

Birds and bird droppings not only look unsightly, but bird droppings contain an acid which attacks stone and can cause serious defacement of a building. Birds nests will often block gutters, leading to costly flooding.

Bird Control Problems

4. Contamination of Food;

As well as spreading disease, the presence of birds inside a food factory can lead to physical contamination with droppings and feathers. Sparrows are particular indoor pests and can cause spoilage by consuming products.

Bird Control Problems

5. Danger of Falling;

Wet bird fouling is extremely slippery and may result in a fall. This is particularly hazardous on steps and fire escapes.

6. Nuisance;

The noise and smell produced by birds can be very disturbing and unpleasant. The very presence of birds invokes fear in some people.

Main Urban Species

There are four main urban pests which are often called upon to control;

Feral Pigeon Columbia livia

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

Gull Larus spp

Gulls

Gulls are medium to large-sized birds, often in flocks associated with coastal areas, sometimes feeding inland on tips, particularly in winter when our native bird’s populations are swollen by immigrants from the continent and elsewhere.

Gulls: Food & Habits

During the 20th Century, gull numbers have increased rapidly. In inland localities, especially outside the breeding season, gulls often roost in many thousands on large bodies of water such as reservoirs or flooded gravel pits.

Gulls: Food & Habits

All species, when inland, depend on domestic refuse for food, although Black-headed and common gulls also feed on agricultural land.

Gulls: Food & Habits

Over the past twenty years or so, Herring Gulls – and in some cases lesser Black-Backed Gulls – have taken to breeding on buildings in coastal towns and inland, including private houses, hotels and large warehouses.

Gulls: Food & Habits

Complaints about gulls are increasing as damage is done to roof fabric by pecking and the corrosive action of droppings. Gulls also cause damage by fouling buildings and washing lines. Their nests block gutters and downpipes and they also damage plants. Gulls may also attack people.

Gulls: Food & Habits

The calling of birds on rooftop territories squabbling over food in the early morning is also a particular source of disturbance –this behaviour is not confined to the breeding season.

Gulls: Food & Habits

Gulls feed at refuse tips and have been implicated in the transmission of Salmonella. Their roosting on and pollution of reservoirs also cause concern.

Control of Gulls

• Some proofing and deterrent methods such as spring wire, gels and netting can be quite effective against gulls

• However, the most efficient and long term measure of control is a long-term method designed to reduce a troublesome colony.

• This involves either spiking the eggs in a nursery at regular intervals, so that the adults continue to incubate the eggs, or by completely removing all eggs, young, and nesting material.

• Particular care should be taken with this method as adult gulls may attack the technicians carrying out the work.

Repellents & Scaring Devices

These have little effect against breeding birds. However, some success has been achieved with the display of spreadeagled corpses of shot gulls and broadcasts of distress calls.

Scaring devices have little effect in the noisy and rapidly changing environment of tips, unless someone is there all day to operate the scaring devices. Some sites have specially constructed moveable net to exclude gulls from rubbish tips.

ShootingNoisy rooftop gulls can be shot with a silenced .22 rifle in the early morning when this is feasible.

Herring gulls take up territories from early March and shooting should take place as soon as possible after this time, and before mid-May. This will prevent hatched broods from being left to starve in the nest.

Stupefying Baits

The use of stupefying baits outdoors in populated areas presents many problems, but a few licensed operations have been carried out against nesting and other gulls.

And…

• Proofing

Roosting ledges can be proofed with spring wire systems.

• Trapping

Not effective against Gulls.

Get in touch

Excel Environmental Services

Professional Bird Control Services

0141 889 2999 or

http://www.excelenvironmental.co.uk