One of the biggest problems faced by apartment owners and their management companies is pest bird infestation. Most buildings have at least one renter who refuses to allow pest control professionals to rid the property of birds. To assuage this difficult renter, owners need to adopt non-lethal and humane bird repellent strategies.
Aside from this minor problem, apartment managers should consider implementing a multi-pronged approach to rid their properties of pest birds. One must go beyond the one-size-fits-all solution to bird control. But before any bird repellent program is implemented, managers should take the following prudent steps to ensure maximum effectiveness:
Inspection. See where the birds are concentrated, where they nest and roost. Look for nests, telltale signs of droppings, and feathers. You may be surprised at the damage birds have already caused to the painted surfaces, wood, roofing tiles, and electrical equipment and wiring. AC units and rain gutters are particularly vulnerable. As are swimming pool areas, which can become easily contaminated with bird droppings. And, of course, there's the legal liability of slip-and-fall hazards that bird droppings create.
Identification. Identify the types and size of pest birds on the property. Take photographs if the birds seem unfamiliar to you. This will help your pest control company choose the right bird repellent for your particular problem.
Monitor. Once your bird control company has installed the proper bird repellent on your property, monitor the effectiveness of the repellent. If birds continue to nest or roost on the property or they decide to move to another area of the property, take note and notify the bird control company. This will allow them to alter their bird repellent strategy to fit the new situation.
Exclusion. If pest birds are finding their way inside the attic areas or other enclosed areas of your units, your bird control company may decide to employ exclusionary bird repellent techniques—like bird netting. Copper mesh may also be used to seal up smaller entry points.
Sanitation. Pest birds are often drawn to food scraps found in and around refuse dumpsters. These areas should be kept clean and dumpster lids should always be kept shut. Bushes, trees and shrubbery should be kept well maintained to eliminate possible nesting and roosting areas. Leaky pipes or poor drainage should be addressed as birds are always on the lookout for easy access to water.
Treatment. Depending on the type of pest bird that has invaded your apartment complex, your bird repellent strategy may include variations in devices. For example, you pest control company may decide to use netting, bird spikes on the rooftops and ledges, followed by non-lethal chemical bird repellents.
Educate Tenants. Let them know that you will be using bird repellent strategies to deter birds from your property. Tell them that the methods you will be using are essentially harmless to birds and humans. And remind them not to feed any birds coming around the property. Also let them know that you are doing this to protect them from any of the 60 diseases that many pest birds carry, disease that are serious and communicable. The goal is to enroll them in your bird repellent efforts.
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