What to Expect with Bird Management and Proofing
Bird management and proofing are used to manage problems caused by birds roosting, nesting or gaining access to buildings and other structures.
The appropriate approach depends on the bird species involved, how the birds are using the property, the level of bird pressure and the features of the building and surrounding environment. Management may involve exclusion and proofing systems, physical deterrents and measures to reduce access to food, water and suitable nesting or roosting areas.
Surekill assesses the bird activity and property before recommending an appropriate bird management approach. This page explains what to expect during the assessment, selection and installation of bird management and proofing measures and how ongoing monitoring and maintenance can form part of a longer-term bird management plan.
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Assessment, Quote and Bird Management Plan
Property and Bird Activity Assessment
Your Surekill technician will inspect the property to assess the bird problem and determine which bird management or proofing options may be appropriate.
The assessment considers the bird species involved, where birds are nesting, roosting, perching or entering the building, the level of bird activity, access points, food and water sources and features of the property that may be contributing to the problem.
Identifying the species and understanding how the birds are using the property are important because different bird species and different levels of bird pressure may require different management approaches.
Assessing the Risks and Problem Areas
Your technician will assess the areas affected by bird activity and any associated problems. These may include accumulated droppings, nesting materials, blocked gutters or drainage, contamination of surfaces, bird-related parasites and damage or deterioration associated with ongoing bird activity.
For commercial properties, the assessment may also consider areas where bird activity could affect food handling, hygiene, pedestrian areas, equipment, loading areas or other operational spaces.
Discussing Bird Management and Proofing Options
Following the assessment, your technician will discuss the management options suitable for the property.
Depending on the bird species, location and level of activity, recommendations may include bird netting, spikes, post-and-wire systems, powered bird deterrent systems, exclusion or sealing of suitable access points, or other appropriate bird management measures.
Where appropriate, recommendations may also include reducing conditions that encourage birds to remain at the property, such as access to food, water and suitable nesting or roosting locations.
Your Bird Management Plan
Bird management is not always a one-off process. Your technician will explain the recommended approach, the areas to be managed, the proposed proofing or deterrent system and any ongoing monitoring or maintenance that may be required.
The bird management plan may also include recommendations for managing environmental or building conditions that contribute to bird activity and reviewing the system if bird behaviour or conditions around the property change.
Quote for Bird Management and Proofing
Following the assessment, Surekill will provide a quote outlining the recommended bird management or proofing work.
The quote will identify the proposed work and, where applicable, installation requirements and any recommended ongoing monitoring or maintenance.
Insurance, Licensing and Australian Standards
Surekill Pest Control is fully insured, and our pest management technicians are appropriately licensed and carry out bird management work in accordance with applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Payment is required before treatment commences.
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Understanding the Bird Problem
Identifying the Bird Species
Correct identification of the bird species is an important part of developing an appropriate bird management approach.
Different bird species have different behaviours, feeding preferences, nesting habits and preferred roosting locations. A management method suitable for pigeons may not be appropriate for smaller birds such as sparrows or swallows.
Understanding Bird Behaviour
Your Surekill technician will consider how the birds are using the property and why they are returning to particular areas.
Birds may be attracted to a property because it provides food, water, shelter or suitable places to perch, roost or nest. Understanding these behaviours helps determine whether the problem is best managed through exclusion, physical deterrents, environmental changes or a combination of methods.
Nesting, Roosting and Bird Pressure
The level of attachment birds have to an area can influence the management approach required.
An occasional bird landing on a ledge presents a different management problem from birds that regularly roost at the property or have established nesting sites.
Where birds have access to sheltered areas within a building or structure, physical exclusion may be required. In other situations, appropriately selected deterrent systems may be used to discourage birds from landing or roosting.
The Property and Surrounding Environment
The building and surrounding environment also influence bird activity.
Roof spaces, ledges, beams, window sills, balconies, loading areas and other sheltered locations can provide suitable places for birds to perch, roost or nest. Nearby food and water sources can also encourage birds to remain in an area.
For this reason, bird management considers the property as a whole rather than focusing only on the location where birds are currently being seen.
Choosing an Appropriate Management Approach
There is no single bird management system suitable for every property or every bird problem.
The bird species, behaviour, level of activity, building design, affected areas and surrounding environment all need to be considered before an appropriate management approach is selected.
Depending on the circumstances, effective bird management may involve exclusion, physical deterrents, environmental modification or a combination of measures as part of an integrated bird management approach.
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Bird Proofing and Management Options
Once the bird species, behaviour and areas of activity have been assessed, your Surekill technician will recommend bird proofing or deterrent measures appropriate for the property.
The aim is to make problem areas less suitable for birds to enter, land, roost or nest. Depending on the property and level of bird activity, one method may be suitable or several methods may be used together as part of the bird management plan.
Bird Netting
Bird netting provides a physical barrier that prevents birds from accessing particular areas of a building or structure.
It can be used around roof structures, beams, loading areas, balconies, courtyards and other spaces where birds are entering, roosting or nesting. Netting can be particularly useful where there are numerous potential landing or nesting locations that would be difficult to manage individually.
Professional exclusion netting is installed under tension using appropriate cables and fittings to create an effective barrier while minimising its visual impact.
Bird Spikes
Bird spikes are installed on suitable ledges, parapets, beams, window sills and other surfaces to discourage birds from landing or roosting.
They are generally most appropriate for larger pest birds such as pigeons. They are not suitable for every bird species or every level of bird activity, as smaller birds may be able to shelter or nest between the spikes.
For this reason, Surekill assesses the bird species and location before recommending spikes rather than treating them as a universal bird deterrent.
Post-and-Wire Systems
Post-and-wire systems use tensioned stainless-steel wires positioned above suitable landing surfaces to discourage birds from settling on ledges and similar areas.
Because the system has a relatively low visual profile, it may be considered where the appearance of the building is important or where a discreet physical deterrent is preferred.
The suitability of post-and-wire depends on the bird species, bird pressure and the particular surface being managed.
Powered Bird Deterrent Systems
Powered bird deterrent systems can be installed on ledges, parapets and other surfaces where birds regularly land or roost.
These systems use low-profile tracks to discourage birds from remaining on the treated surface. They can be particularly useful where a discreet system is required and the visual appearance of the building needs to be maintained.
Exclusion and Access-Point Proofing
Where birds are entering roof spaces, wall cavities or other parts of a structure, the management approach may involve preventing access to the affected area.
The appropriate proofing method will depend on the building, the access point and the bird species involved. Your technician will assess the area and determine whether exclusion or another bird-proofing measure is appropriate.
Other Bird Management Measures
Some properties may require additional deterrent or management measures because of their construction, location or the behaviour of the birds involved.
Visual or sound-based deterrents may have a role in particular situations, but they should not automatically be relied upon as a permanent solution. Birds can become accustomed to repeated sounds and stationary visual deterrents, reducing their effectiveness over time.
An Integrated Bird Management Approach
The most appropriate solution may involve more than one measure.
For example, physical proofing may be combined with changes that reduce access to food, water or suitable nesting and roosting areas. The aim is not simply to move birds from one location to another, but to manage the conditions contributing to the bird problem as part of a longer-term bird management plan.
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Installation and Treatment Day
Before Work Begins
When your Surekill technician arrives, they will review the areas included in the bird management work and confirm the proposed proofing or deterrent system before installation begins.
If conditions at the property have changed since the original assessment, or bird activity is occurring in a different area, your technician may reassess the situation before proceeding.
Access to Bird Management Areas
Please ensure your technician has clear access to the areas where bird management or proofing work will be carried out.
Depending on the property, this may include roof areas, balconies, ledges, awnings, loading areas, roof spaces or other parts of the building where birds are entering, nesting, roosting or perching.
Vehicles, stored items or other obstructions may need to be moved where they prevent safe access to the work area.
Safety During the Work
Bird management work can involve working at heights, accessing roof areas and working around accumulated bird droppings or nesting material.
Your technician will assess the work area and use appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment for the work being undertaken.
Customers, staff, children and pets may need to remain away from designated work areas while installation, cleaning or other bird management work is being carried out.
Bird Droppings and Nesting Material
Where required, your Surekill technician can remove bird nesting material and associated debris from the areas being treated or proofed.
Bird droppings and contaminated nesting material may also require cleaning or treatment before a bird proofing system is installed. Appropriate personal protective equipment and procedures are used when working in areas affected by bird contamination.
Removing nesting material and cleaning affected areas helps prepare the area for installation of the selected bird management or proofing system.
Nests, Eggs and Young Birds
If an active nest, eggs or young birds are found in an area that is to be proofed, your technician will assess the situation before work continues.
Bird species and circumstances need to be considered before nests are disturbed or access is permanently excluded. The bird-management approach must take into account applicable wildlife requirements and the welfare of the birds involved.
Installing the Bird Management System
Your technician will install the bird proofing or deterrent measures specified for the property.
Depending on the bird management plan, this may include netting, spikes, post-and-wire, powered bird deterrent systems, access-point proofing or a combination of measures.
Installation methods will vary according to the building construction, bird species, level of bird activity and areas requiring management.
Weather Conditions
Some external bird management and proofing work is weather dependent.
Rain, strong winds, excessive heat or other unsafe conditions may prevent roof access or installation work from being carried out safely. If weather conditions make the scheduled work unsuitable or unsafe, the work may need to be postponed or rescheduled.
Once Installation Is Complete
Your Surekill technician will check the completed work and explain the bird management system installed.
Where applicable, they will also explain any areas that need to remain accessible, maintenance requirements, what changes in bird activity to watch for and whether ongoing monitoring or follow-up is recommended as part of the bird management plan.
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After Bird Proofing or Management Work
Immediately After the Work
Once the bird management or proofing work has been completed, your technician will check the installed system and explain any relevant maintenance or monitoring requirements.
Where birds previously had regular access to an area, their behaviour may not change immediately. Birds may return to familiar nesting, roosting or perching locations and investigate the area before adapting to the changes.
Observe Bird Activity
After the work has been completed, observe bird activity around the property and particularly around the areas that have been proofed or managed.
Birds that can no longer access a preferred location may investigate other parts of the building for alternative places to land, roost or nest. This does not necessarily mean the installed system has failed, but it may identify another area of the property that requires assessment.
Keep Proofing Systems Accessible
Where possible, keep installed bird management systems accessible for future inspection and maintenance.
Avoid altering, covering, removing or attaching other items to netting, spikes, post-and-wire systems, powered deterrent systems or other installed bird-proofing measures.
Building maintenance, renovations, signage, roofing work or other changes to the property may also interfere with an existing bird management system.
If Birds Move to Another Area
If birds begin regularly roosting, nesting or entering another area of the property after the original location has been proofed, contact Surekill.
Your technician can assess the new activity and determine whether additional proofing, deterrent measures or changes to the existing bird management plan should be considered.
Report Damage or Changes to the System
Contact Surekill if you notice damaged or displaced netting, spikes, wires, powered deterrent components or other changes that may affect the operation of the installed system.
Early assessment of damaged or altered proofing can help prevent birds from re-establishing access to previously managed areas.
Follow-Up Where Required
Not every bird management installation requires the same follow-up.
Your technician will explain whether further inspection, monitoring, maintenance or additional work is recommended based on the bird species, level of bird pressure, system installed and conditions at the property.
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Ongoing Bird Risk Management
Monitor for Renewed Bird Activity
Bird management should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a set-and-forget solution.
Continue to watch for changes in bird activity around the property, including birds beginning to regularly perch, roost or nest in new locations or attempting to regain access to previously proofed areas.
Changes in bird behaviour can help identify areas that may require further assessment before a new problem becomes established.
Maintain Bird Proofing and Deterrent Systems
Bird netting, spikes, post-and-wire systems, powered deterrent systems and other installed proofing measures should be kept in good condition.
Damage, deterioration, building maintenance or other work around the property can affect an existing system. Where required, systems should be inspected, maintained or repaired so they continue to perform as intended.
Manage Food, Water and Nesting Opportunities
Reducing conditions that encourage birds to remain around a property is an important part of long-term bird risk management.
Where practical, reduce access to food and water sources and address areas that provide suitable nesting, roosting or shelter opportunities. Waste areas, food spills, standing water and accessible building openings may all contribute to ongoing bird activity.
Repair New Access Points
Buildings can develop new opportunities for bird entry over time.
Damage to roofing, openings in walls or other changes to the structure may provide birds with access to sheltered nesting or roosting areas.
Repairing or appropriately proofing new access points can help reduce the opportunity for birds to establish themselves within the building.
Watch for Changes Around the Property
Renovations, extensions, roofing work, new signage, solar installations, alterations to loading areas, landscaping and other changes to the building or surrounding environment can alter where birds are able to land, shelter, feed or nest.
These changes may also interfere with an existing bird proofing system or create new areas of bird risk.
Where significant changes are planned in an area containing bird proofing or deterrent systems, contact Surekill so the existing bird management measures can be considered as part of the work.
Review Your Bird Management Plan
Bird behaviour, building conditions and the surrounding environment can change over time. The bird management approach should therefore be reviewed when circumstances change rather than regarded as a permanent, set-and-forget solution.
Ongoing observation, maintenance of installed proofing systems, management of food, water and nesting opportunities and assessment of new bird activity all work together as part of longer-term bird risk management.
