Managing and manipulating bird populations is an important facet of urban wildlife management. Problems associated with concentrations of migratory birds, such as the contamination of food and materials, health hazards, costly destruction to buildings, plus other liabilities, can usually be reduced through various techniques of dispersal or relocation.
Since birds are more apt to leave a newly-established roosting site, prompt action greatly reduces the time and effort required to successfully relocate unwelcome birds.
- Environmental or Habitat Modifications
- The use of “Frightening Devices”
HABITAT MODIFICATIONS
Thinning or pruning of vegetation. Removing protective cover discourages birds from roosting. Thorough pruning is the first step we recommend as a lasting and less expensive strategy for making your trees less attractive to flocking birds.
Tree Netting. It’s been our experience that this method often proves too expensive, unsightly and temporary. Therefore, we usually do not recommend tree netting as a sound and lasting method for habitat modification.
Thermal Fogging. A safe and humane bird dispersal method using pulse-jet thermal foggers. Designed for the precise application of liquid solutions over open areas.
FRIGHTENING DEVICES
The key to success with frightening devices is timing, persistence, organization and diversity. No single technique alone is effective, so we recommend the integration of numerous and varied techniques. We utilize Audio Systems, Pyrotechnics, Exploders, Hawk kites, Helikites, Light Lasers and Radio-controlled Flying Hawks, as well as other miscellaneous auditory and visual frightening devices.
Audio Systems of broadcasted alarms and distress calls are very effective in frightening many species of birds, and are useful in both rural and urban situations. Calls are amplified and broadcasted, and the units are periodically moved to enhance effectiveness.
Pyrotechnics have long been employed in bird frightening programs, and our technicians are trained to handle them with safety and caution in mind.
Automatic LP Gas Exploders (such as Zon Guns), are a reliable source of timer-controlled, unattended sound for frightening birds from roost sites.
Hawk Kites have been studied extensively on agricultural crops since 1979, resulting in significant reductions in the presence and damage caused by migratory birds.
Helikites are a combination of kite and helium-filled balloon offering an erratic flight pattern that is perceived as a danger by most species of birds, and can protect a large area.
Light Lasers are a humane bird scare device that consistently disperses many species of birds. It is directional and used as part of a diverse and mobile bird dispersal operation.
Radio-controlled Flying Hawks are proven highly effective in dispersing large flocks of birds from passing through airspace, resting on open bodies of water or from any location where access can be an issue.
- Consulting: We assess your property and devise an effective dispersal and management program customized to your unique needs.
- Installation: Our experienced technicians install devices needed to disperse and manage your bird populations.
- Maintenance: We maintain and execute on-going or seasonal dispersal programs with our experienced technicians.
- Maintenance Training: If you prefer, we can even train your own personnel how to maintain ongoing or seasonal aspects of your dispersal program.
We are based in Austin, Texas, which boasts the largest urban bat population in the world. It’s here that we gained our experience, developing methods to ensure the complete removal of all roosting bats from your buildings. All of our work is guaranteed. Our methods are as follows:
Initial Inspection
During our first visit, we visually inspect your building to determine the scope of infestation, identify obvious entry points, and get an idea of how we’ll need to customize exclusion devices to suit your building’s configurations.
Exclusion Device Installation and Peripheral Entry Seals
We install customized exclusion devices at all major entry/exit points, and seal all the secondary or peripheral entry/exit points.
Sealing of Major Entry/Exit Points
Five to seven days after the exclusion devices are installed, all of the roosting bats will have left your building in search of food or water. Extremely loyal to roosting sites, the bats return again and again but are unable to re-enter, so they seek alternative roosting sites. At this point, we come back, remove the exclusion devices and permanently seal points of entry.
Bat Facts & Tips
(Information courtesy of Bat Conservation International)
Bats are not rodents. They will not gnaw at insulation, wiring or anything else when roosting. The most damage they cause results from their urine and droppings, or “guano.”
The latest research indicates that only 0.5% (half of one percent) of the bat population ever contracts rabies. This is less than most other animal species. Over the past 46 years, only 18 people have died from bat-contracted rabies. Rabid bats die very quickly and unlike other mammals rarely become aggressive from the disease. Most bites from rabid bats occur when someone picks up a sick, grounded bat without proper protection.
Never handle a grounded bat without wearing leather work-gloves. A grounded bat can be sick, injured, tired or even in a slowed metabolic state. Like most wild animals, bats will bite to protect themselves; however, bats are not “gnawing rodents” and cannot bite through heavy leather gloves.
Guano represents more of a health threat to humans than pigeon droppings, although both of these cause unpleasant odors and can become a nuisance or a health hazard in significant amounts. Costly damage can occur to a residence or building if bat colonies are left unchecked for an extended period of time. Usually, a few bats will do no more damage than a few birds.
A bat trapped inside of a building wants nothing more than to find a way out. Bats do not attack humans; unlike they do in some movies. Erratic flight patterns of diving and swooping are simply how a bat maintains its flight. If a bat is trapped inside your building, don’t stand in the middle of the room, as this is where most of the “swooping” will take place. Instead, close all the doors leading to other rooms, if possible, and open a window or door to the outside. Stand out of the way, against a wall. The bat will eventually sense the movement of fresh air and head towards the source.
Odor Removal and Treatment
If bats have been roosting for any lengthy amount of time in your building, it’s often necessary to remove bat guano accumulations. We use custom made vacuums and attachments to access awkward and hard-to-reach areas. This keeps building or wall demolition (to access areas of guano accumulation) to a minimum. After the guano is removed, we treat the affected areas with organic biocides to remove odor and neutralize any harmful bacteria. Our construction backgrounds also allow us to deliver professional quality repair to damaged areas.
Rates
Within the greater Austin area, bids are free of charge.
For out-of-town locations (we will travel anywhere), please
email us: click here, or call us at (512) 444-5955.
Town Lake Construction, LLC stays on the cutting-edge of bird abatement technologies and products. Because of this, we can provide the most effective solutions, while maintaining the integrity of your building.
Methods
Every project is unique, and there are hundreds of products available for bird abatement. Through years of experience, we’ve found that some of these products are continuously effective. The following is a short list of the bird abatement products we prefer to use, although we customize many of them to suit each individual project:
Netting
This is a great method for enclosed or semi-enclosed areas, such as courtyards, overhangs, awnings and some rooftops. It is made of a thin, almost invisible polyethylene twine and utilizes stainless steel installation hardware. It is effective against all bird species.
Electrical Ledge Deterrents
These are flexible track systems that are very effective on ledges, beams, signs, roof, and parapets. Their flexible design allows them to conform to any architectural design. They are highly discreet systems that deliver a low voltage shock to the feet of unwanted visitors.
Bird Slide
This product is used on ledges, eaves, angle irons, I-Beams and most “L” shaped ledges where total exclusion is the goal. Bird slide is effective against all bird species and when color matched to the building, it is virtually undetectable.
Health Hazards from Pest Birds
Pest birds can cause as many health hazards as rats. Birds harbor over forty types of parasites and can internally host over sixty types of infectious diseases, which can easily be passed on to humans. Direct contamination from feces is one way that nesting birds spread disease. Airborne spores from feces can enter air ducts and vents to settle on food or water and transfer disease. Many cases of salmonella every year are attributed to that route of transmission. Airborne particles from bird feces can also contain dormant fungi and/or bacteria. If inhaled, this can result in mild to deadly internal fungal infections. The parasites carried by pest birds are capable of transmitting literally hundreds of bacterial and viral agents, including encephalitis, pox, meningitis, and plague to human hosts.
Property Damage from Pest Birds
In America alone, damage from nesting pest birds is estimated in the tens of millions per year. Droppings, nesting materials and carcasses pose a host of problems, some of which have the potential to become severe enough to necessitate a shutdown of a facility – and that happens more often than you might think.
Bird droppings are highly acidic and actually eat away some of the most durable substances. The life expectancy of a warehouse rooftop can be cut in half by even a light contamination from droppings.
Nests built in gutters can cause extensive damage due to improper drainage and can even collapse a roof. Nesting material is also very flammable and poses a serious fire hazard. Both nesting materials and acidic droppings can also cause damage to air conditioners, industrial machinery, siding materials and insulation.
Accumulated droppings pose physical dangers, increasing financial liabilities from possible injuries. In addition, grounds and buildings contaminated with droppings create a negative image for companies and building owners. Town Lake Construction, LLC offers many effective solutions for your pest bird issues.
Odor Removal and Treatment
T.L.C. customizes an approach to remove the feces, and treats the affected areas with environmentally safe, non-toxic products to leave your buildings odor free, and greatly reduce any health threats from contamination caused by bird infestation.
When snake infestations are discovered, few professionals are willing to put themselves at risk, including most pest control companies, animal control personnel, and even the police. Town Lake Construction, LLC is unique in offering trained wildlife removal services to entities such as commercial businesses, city municipalities (i.e. nursing homes, hospitals, etc.), state buildings, corporate complexes and educational institutions.
In addition to removing snakes from your property, we can design and install electric snake fences and reusable snake traps that will prevent future infestations.
Methods
Town Lake Construction, LLC uses humane methods for capturing snakes, whenever possible. We use a variety of trapping methods specifically customized for each situation, and release the snakes in an area where they won’t pose a risk to humans. More aggressive measures are never used in our snake removal, unless there is a risk to humans irresolvable by any other method.
Town Lake Construction, LLC performs rodent exclusions for many commercial businesses, city municipalities, state buildings, corporate complexes and educational institutions. Through our experience we have found that bait stations and traps, although good when used with an integrated pest management plan, do not suffice on their own for long term rodent exclusions. In order for any rodent control program to be effective on a long term basis, all four steps must be implemented and some steps must be continued on an annual basis. Our staff is certified in confined space entry, so sealing under-level utilities such as pipes and chases from rodent entry is included in our services. Many buildings that we inspect have exposed foundations, either from erosion, sprinkler systems or plumbing repairs. These conditions allow rodents easy access to the sub-grade of a building. Our staff has the training to install concrete foundation footings, which will block out the rodents entries, while maintaining the aesthetic of your building. Town Lake Construction, LLC uses the following four-point plan when controlling rodent populations:
There are four basic steps to implement when confronting a mouse & rat infestation:
- Inspection
- Sanitation
- Exclusion
- Population Reduction (traps, bait & repellents)
Methods
Inspection:
There are ten signs that we look for during our inspections: droppings, tracks, gnaw marks, burrowing, runways, grease marks, urine stains, live and/or dead rodents, rodent sounds and rodent odors. During our inspection, we get a better idea of the population size and the most likely routes taken by rodents to access the building, ensuring proper placement of traps and baits. During our inspection and throughout the project we take photo documents that display current conditions, repairs being made and competed work. These photographs are added to our close-out documents and supplied to the client for future reference.
Sanitation:
In order for a large population of rodents to flourish, there has to be an abundance of food and water, as well as easy access to a cozy nesting site. By removing or reducing the factors that make any pest population abundant, you immediately reduce the pest population. Sanitation is the backbone of Integrated Pest Management.
Exclusion:
Controlling mice & rats by making it impossible for them to enter the building is the next necessary step. Town Lake Construction does this by eliminating all openings larger than ½” for rats and ¼” for mice above and below grade.
Population Reduction:
To quickly reduce the population of rats and mice, traps and bait stations must be used. Town lake Construction utilizes the most humane traps on the market. These traps are continuously checked and re-baited as necessary.
Most people’s initial reaction to foul odor is irritation, but the more important problem can be the damage odor contaminants may do to our respiratory system. Breathing air contaminants causes many respiratory diseases. At Town Lake Construction, we found that offering odor removal was an important and necessary part of helping clients manage wildlife and the damage they sometimes incur.
Removing guano is a necessary step in some bat/bird exclusion cases. The best way to get rid of any odor is to remove the odor causing substance, clean all the salvageable, affected areas, and to replace materials that have been too ruined to salvage.
When removing guano or other odor causing substances, we use custom-made vacuums and attachments that allow us to access awkward and hard-to-reach areas, minimizing damage to walls, floors or ceilings.
After the odor causing substance has been located and removed, we treat affected areas with organic biocides that remove odor, and more importantly, neutralize harmful bacteria.
As the final step, our construction backgrounds allow us to leave you with professional-quality repairs that preserve the integrity or your building.
If you need odor removal services, or have questions, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to discuss your case.
