Commercial Pigeon Pest Control Services
Commercial Pigeon Pest Control Services for Essex & East London
Birds may not seem like a particularly troublesome pest, but when they are in the wrong location, such as commercial properties or gardens, they can be far more than just an inconvenience and actually become detrimental to your business.
Here at Pest ID our team of friendly and professional exterminators are experienced in offering pigeon control services for commercial properties. We offer commercial bird control services in Essex & East London and cover key areas such as Chelmsford, Southend and Basildon.
Although not aggressive birds, pigeons are commonly disliked and often described as ‘rats with wings’. Pigeons are drawn to well populated areas, as this means they stand a better chance of finding food. This leads to pigeons becoming a common sight – and a nuisance – in commercial areas like pub gardens and outside dining areas.
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How do I know if I have a bird control problem?
You may spot some signs that birds are visiting your commercial premises, but it can be tricky to determine whether they are an occasional visitor or more of a problem.
Some key things to look out for include:
- Continuous bird noises
- Birds always found on your premises, in areas such as lighting, ledges, canopies, cables, roof and guttering
- Finding nesting materials around the outside of your property
- Lots of bird droppings, concentrated in areas where birds are roosting
- Gutters full of faeces, feathers and nest debris
Stock damaged by guano - Loose or damaged roof tiles – both are signs of pigeons entering your roof space
What causes a commercial pigeon pest control problem?
A food source is a very attractive draw for pigeons and will attract large numbers of them. They will choose to roost in areas where there is a food source nearby, and almost anything will do for a snack – they are not fussy about what they will eat! Open bins are a big draw and will encourage pigeons, but this can be difficult to avoid in a commercial food service area. Standing water is another draw for pigeons, as it provides them with a water source to drink.
A small opening makes a great entryway for a pigeon and will allow them into your property to roost. They can fit through gaps as small as 60mm, so if you have openings in your roof or ledges then they’ll fit through and make themselves at home!
Pigeons look for a warm, safe and dry environment – and in commercial properties they can gain easy access to places like warehouses – where doors may be left open for long periods while work is taking place. Once pigeons have identified the area as having the ideal conditions for them, they’ll keep trying to access it again and again – there are few pests quite as determined and stubborn as feral pigeons.
Where in my commercial property will I find pigeons?
Problem areas in commercial properties are all places that offer pigeons a space to roost, warmth and shelter. Warehouses and empty buildings are of particular appeal, but pigeons will also look for ledges, flat roofs, space under canopies and can be found in car parks or on lighting and cameras. They love the warmth provided by air conditioning units, but this can be particularly dangerous as their feathers and guano debris will then get pumped around your building.
What problems can a pigeon control issue cause?
- Diseases – Pigeons carry a number of different parasites and diseases, and these are transmitted through their droppings and dust, which goes into buildings through air ducts. Some of the diseases that pigeons can carry include:
- Psittacosis, which is highly infectious and able to spread rapidly
- Histoplasmosis, caused by a fungus called Histoplasma
Cryptococcosis, which in very severe cases can turn into meningitis - E. coli, most commonly associated with food poisoning but is also transmitted by pigeons
- Salmonellosis, an infection caused the by salmonella bacteria, which like E. coli is most commonly associated with food poisoning
- Chlamydia psittaci, a type of bacteria that can take some explaining if you catch it!
- Unsafe to work around – with pigeon guano being classed as hazardous waste, badly fouled areas are unlikely to pass risk assessments without adequate PPE including the correct masks. In bad cases, sites have been known to close until specialist cleaners have neutralised all hazards in that area
- Pigeon Guano Trip/Slip Hazard – a regular feature in risk assessments!
- Damage to stock – If pigeons come into any commercial setting, but especially a warehouse or factory, their droppings can contaminate the materials used in the production process. Any food items, chemicals or liquids are at risk of being spoiled, and therefore wasted, wasting money for businesses.
- Damage to reputation – stock covered in pigeon guano and feathers can be a real turn off if customer see it
- Noise – Pigeons cooing in large numbers can be very loud, causing a nuisance to staff and customers.
- Mess – Pigeons are quite messy and will leave feathers and nesting material over your property. This debris can block things like chimneys, gutters and air vents and create a slip/trip hazard for staff and customers
- Pests – Pigeons are not only carriers of pathogens, but also carry a variety of pests such as ticks, fleas, lice, bird mites and bed bugs. These come with their own problems and risk of infection and/or disease.
Can I get rid of a commercial pigeon control problem myself?
The easiest way to keep pigeons from coming inside your commercial property is to make it secure – keeping warehouse doors and windows shut when not in use. However, once you have an established problem it is very difficult to remove pigeons yourself and we would recommend that you call in a trained professional to implement the pigeon control required. This is in part due to the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, which has many laws relating to pigeons. It is illegal to:
- Kill or injure any wild bird without meeting general licensing regulations
- Harm pigeons’ eggs
- Disturb pigeons’ nests while they’re occupied
And this can make dealing with a pigeon control problem by yourself a bit of a minefield!
When pigeon droppings dry they turn to dust, and inhaling these particles is very dangerous – running the risk of breathing dangerous bacteria right into your lungs. Cleaning pigeon droppings requires the proper PPE to ensure your safety, and for the area to be disinfected to ensure safety for others – something especially important when dealing with commercial properties. Our professional team of pest controllers will come equipped with the correct equipment, ensuring the safety of yourselves, your staff and your customers.
What services does Pest ID offer as commercial pigeon control solutions?
We offer a number of services, from pigeon deterrents to pigeon removal – all undertaken by our team of friendly, qualified professionals.
Bird netting can be placed to prevent pigeons from landing on buildings, air conditioning units and plants. We are also able to install spikes, shock traps, and post & wire or fire gel to prevent pigeons from landing on ledges.
We offer pigeon culls (subject to satisfactory environments and risk assessments), laser systems that automatically scan pigeon pre programmed prone areas 24 hours a day (subject to satisfactory environments and risk assessments) and also the flying of Harris Hawks – which enables us to clear pigeons from usually inaccessible spaces such as tight enclosed areas e.g. underground car parks.
Why choose Pest ID for your commercial pigeon control problem?
The team at Pest ID are full BPCA members, and we are also CEPA Certified, allowing you the peace of mind to know that your pest control problem is in safe and trusted hands. Pest ID are small enough to care, but large enough to matter – and we pride ourselves on our client satisfaction, with high numbers of client referral and repeat business.
Pest ID are considered unique as despite being a small family firm with just six technicians, we have the accreditations and skill sets that are usually only available from the big pest control firms that lack the personal touch.
Check out our google and Checkatrade reviews too, we believe we are the most friendly and helpful firm in the area.
We are aware of the sensitive nature required when it comes to removing pests in a commercial setting, and we will act with the utmost discretion, causing the least impact possible to your business. We can park away from your property if required, and while being known as Pest ID, our technicians’ uniforms have ID Group logos – so your customers will not be made aware of your pest control problem.
Is there any aftercare required?
Pest ID will recommend some basic housekeeping tasks to keep your commercial property pigeon free – we will go over these in detail with you when we visit. Depending on the methods we have used for deterring pigeons, some netting jobs may need a bi-annual tensioning.
How can I prevent a pigeon problem on my commercial premises?
A surefire way to keep pigeons out is to make sure that there are no gaps for entry – so nothing over 50mm in roofing areas.
Keeping outside areas clean and tidy – limiting the potential for food – is a good way to make your commercial pretty less appealing for hungry pigeons. Make sure food sources are covered or tidied away, and that you have no food or seed available for pigeons to snack on. Any pet food placed outside needs to be covered too. Outdoor smoking areas should be kept food free, ensuring that no food is dropped.
What types of pigeon are there?
- Collared Dove – Introduced to the UK in 1953 from Europe, they are a common visitor to gardens. They have a narrow black band on the rear of their neck and dark wing tips. Collared doves build a nest made of twigs in trees or bushes, and will rarely nest in houses.
- Wood Pigeon – The most common pigeon found in the UK, the Wood Pigeon is found predominantly in rural areas. The largest pigeon in the UK, they have a distinctive white broken band around the rear of their neck.
- Feral Pigeons – Feral Pigeons are what comes to mind when most people think of pigeons. They are commonly found in urban areas and like to nest in buildings and other structures that provide shelter, such as bridges. Originally descended from the domesticated Wild Rock Dove, the population also contains escaped racing pigeons. These birds thrive in towns and cities due to the abundance of food.
Bird deterrent methods
Bird netting
Bird netting is a reliable, long-term method of bird proofing, protecting your premises without harming any birds or other wildlife.
As a single net can protect multiple surfaces on which pigeons and seagulls are likely to perch, bird netting is often the most effective and versatile way to bird proof buildings.
Bird netting is also a very cost effective method of pigeon control, and as a result Pest ID have installed netting at many railway stations across the South East, helping keep pigeons away.
Bird spikes
Bird spikes are another humane pigeon deterrent, preventing them from roosting on almost any surface .
Available in either plastic or stainless steel, single row bird spikes are best suited to pigeon proof narrow ledges, whilst the wider, multi-row spikes can be used to protect wider surfaces.
Pigeon spikes can be attached to any surface material using a strong weatherproof adhesive, which is particularly useful when fixing to surfaces which cannot be drilled, such as lead or plastic.
Bird wire
A bird wire system is an excellent method of pigeon proofing, preventing feral pigeons and gulls from perching on the ledges and parapets of buildings. As it’s almost invisible, bird wire is an excellent option when aesthetics are an important consideration.
Made from stainless steel, the wire is held in place by posts which are fixed into stonework using anchor rivets. This makes bird wire a very versatile pigeon deterrent system that can be fitted to almost any surface, such as roof ridges and metal cladding.
Bird gel
Made from food grade natural oils, the non-toxic bird gel gives off an ultraviolet light which birds perceive to be naked flames. The pigeon deterrent gel also contains cayenne pepper or chilli pepper which the birds detest, making this a particularly effective bird deterrent.
This form of bird control is very discreet, and simple to implement. If left undisturbed, the bird gel should remain active for at least two years.
Hawk kites
Hawk kites make an excellent choice of bird scarer, as they’re a safe and inexpensive way to keep pest birds away from farmland, buildings and any other locations where needed.
The hawk kite can be raised as high as 13 metres, making it visible to birds from quite some distance away. Designed to mimic real hawks, the hawk kite continually changes its flying pattern according to the strength of the wind, meaning that the problem birds don’t become accustomed to it.
Electric proofing
Electric bird deterrent AVISHOCK™ is a bird scarer device proven not to harm birds. A low voltage track is secured to roosting sites, giving birds a mild shock when they come into contact with it.
Electric proofing is very discreet, and represents a low cost way to scare pigeons away.
Audio scarers
Audible bird-scaring deterrent systems can be programmed with numerous sounds at random to frighten and disperse pest birds, keeping them away from your property.
The wide range of sounds that can be used includes bird distress calls and the calls of predator birds arriving, as well as unfamiliar loud noises like a gun firing.
Systems configured with one or more of these noises can be a highly successful method of pest bird control for many species birds including pigeons and seagulls.
Laser scarers
Laser technology is an excellent bird deterrent for deploying across industrial and agricultural areas. Nuisance birds perceive the laser beams as an imminent threat, causing them to fly away from the protected area. The laser beams are animal and environment friendly, so don’t harm the birds.
The Agrilaser Handheld™ laser scarer can repel birds from range of 2.5 km, whilst the top of the range AVIX Autonomic™ model is fully automated and can be programmed to work around the clock, firing very precise beams of light towards hundreds of problem points over a much wider area.
