Pest birds can be a serious problem for homeowners and business owners alike. Whether they’re nesting in your roof, leaving droppings on your property, or damaging crops, managing these birds effectively is essential for maintaining a clean, safe, and functional environment.
But how can you implement bird pest management in a way that is both humane and effective? In this guide, we’ll explore the most common pest birds, the problems they cause, and the best strategies for controlling them.
Whether you’re dealing with pigeons roosting on your building, seagulls scavenging in parking lots, or starlings invading your barn, this comprehensive guide will help you regain control of your space.
Why Bird Infestations Occur
Birds don’t randomly choose where to settle — there are specific reasons why certain locations become pest bird hotspots. Here are the main factors contributing to bird infestations:
- Food Availability: Birds are drawn to places where they can find an easy meal. Open trash bins, accessible pet food, unprotected crops, or even crumbs left on outdoor tables can attract pest birds.
- Ideal Nesting Sites: Birds look for safe, sheltered places to build nests. Eaves, rooftops, chimneys, and vents provide perfect nesting spots. If left unchecked, birds will return to the same site year after year.
- Lack of Predators: Urban environments often lack natural predators like hawks or owls, allowing pest bird populations to grow uncontrolled. Birds feel safer in cities and suburban areas where they can nest undisturbed.
By understanding what attracts pest birds, you can take steps to eliminate these factors and reduce infestations.
Common Pest Bird Species
Certain birds are more likely than others to cause problems. Here are the most common pest birds and their behaviors:
1. Pigeons
- Found in urban areas, pigeons nest on rooftops, bridges, and warehouses.
- Their acidic droppings can damage buildings, vehicles, and sidewalks
- Often referred to as “rats with wings” due to their ability to spread disease
2. Starlings
- Aggressive and noisy birds that form huge flocks
- Known for invading barns, stealing animal feed, and nesting in vents
- Can displace native bird species due to their territorial nature.
3. Seagulls
- Common in coastal and urban environments, especially near landfills, fast food restaurants, and in parks
- Scavenge for food, leading to aggressive behavior toward people
- Their droppings are corrosive, affecting building materials and paint on vehicles
Understanding the habits and behaviors of these species is key to effective bird pest control.
Negative Impacts of Pest Birds
Pest birds aren’t just a nuisance — they pose a serious risk to property, health, and businesses.
Property Damage
- Acidic bird droppings can erode paint, stone, and metal surfaces
- Nesting materials clog gutters, vents, and chimneys, leading to expensive repairs
- Birds scratch and peck at crops, causing significant agricultural losses
Health and Safety Concerns
Pest birds carry diseases and parasites that can affect humans and animals. Some common illnesses include:
- Avian Flu: While only a small number of cases of bird flu have been reported in humans, this disease can be deadly for those infected.
- Histoplasmosis: A respiratory infection caused by fungus in bird droppings
- Cryptococcosis: A lung disease spread through pigeon droppings
- Salmonella: Bacteria found in bird feces that contaminates food and water sources
- Slip Hazards: Bird droppings also create slip hazards on sidewalks, decks, and parking lots, which can lead to serious injury
Economic Implications
- Businesses spend thousands of dollars annually on bird-related cleanup and repairs
- Restaurants and hotels risk health code violations if birds infest their outdoor areas
- Bird flu has caused farmers to destroy millions of domestic chickens, turkeys and ducks and has infected the milk and meat of thousands of cows. Farmers also lose crops and livestock feed to pest birds, greatly impacting profits. Bird infestations can also be damaging to expensive farm equipment, costing farmers and business owners thousands
Managing pest birds is essential for protecting your property and finances.
Bird Pest Management Techniques
There are many effective strategies for bird pest control. Continue reading for an overview of the best solutions.
Physical Barriers
- Bird netting and wire mesh prevent birds from accessing nesting sites
- Bird spikes deter pigeons and seagulls from roosting on ledges
Chemical Repellents
- Gel repellents make surfaces uncomfortable for birds to land on
- Spray repellents like Avian Control offer a long lasting, humane deterrent
Be sure to check with your local regulatory agencies regarding the legal use of any kind of chemical repellent, as policies tend to vary from region to region.
Noise and Visual Deterrents
- Ultrasonic Devices: Emit high-frequency sounds to keep birds away
- Faux Predators: Decoys like owls and hawks can scare birds off
- Reflective Tape: Disorients birds and discourages them from landing nearby
Habitat Modification
- Food Source Elimination: Securing trash bins and covering pet food will cause birds to go looking elsewhere for their next meal
- Manage Water Sources: A lack of water will cause birds to seek hydration elsewhere, preventing them from gathering
- Roosting Area Modifications: Installing angled or sloped ledge covers can make it difficult for birds to balance and settle, deterring them from nesting
- Remove Nests: If you see a nest, try to remove it (following all local regulations and guidelines) before there are any eggs laid inside
Professional Bird Control Services
If birds are repeatedly returning, causing significant property damage, or posing health risks, professionals can implement long-term deterrents that comply with wildlife protection laws. They start with a bird-proofing evaluation to assess the problem, then install exclusion devices like netting, spikes, or repellents in a humane and legal manner. Unlike DIY methods, professional solutions often include specialized techniques that ensure a more permanent solution to bird infestations.
When selecting a pest bird management company, look for one with experience, licensing, and positive customer reviews. Costs vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of the property, with some services offering one-time treatments while others provide ongoing maintenance plans. Many companies also offer service agreements with warranties, ensuring that deterrents remain effective over time and new infestations are addressed promptly. By investing in professional bird control, property owners can save time, reduce long-term costs, and maintain a bird-free environment with confidence.
Other Prevention Strategies
Beyond direct bird pest management techniques, implementing preventative measures can further reduce the risk of infestations. Building modifications are one of the most effective long-term solutions — structures should be designed with fewer flat ledges and open eaves, as these create ideal perching and nesting spots. Installing angled surfaces, bird slopes, or netting can make these areas less hospitable. Similarly, covering vents, sealing gaps in walls, and using bird-proof materials for roofing can significantly reduce roosting opportunities and prevent birds from entering enclosed spaces.
Landscape management also plays a key role in deterring pest birds. Overgrown trees and dense vegetation near buildings provide shelter and nesting areas, making properties more attractive to birds. Regularly trimming branches, especially near rooftops and windows, removes convenient perches and reduces hiding spots. Additionally, implementing routine inspections ensures that bird activity is detected early, allowing property owners to address minor issues before they escalate into full-blown infestations. By combining physical deterrents with proactive maintenance, businesses and homeowners can maintain a bird-free environment with minimal ongoing intervention.
Take Action Against Pest Birds
Managing pest birds requires a proactive approach—but the right combination of physical barriers, repellents, and habitat modifications can effectively control bird populations.
If you’re struggling with bird pest management, Avian Control offers safe, effective, and long-lasting solutions. Contact us today for more information – we’d love to answer any of your questions.
Bird Pest Management: Practical Solutions To Common Issues