Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

Starlings are No Match for an Integrated Approach

Joe Felegi, president of Critter Control of Florida, is always appreciative of the mutual referrals his six-office franchise has with several area pest management firms.  But one recent referral in particular required his crew to become a bit creative.  "A pest management firm referred us to a five-story building in Palm Beach County, on the island," Felegi explains. "The building's residents were beginning to complain of mites, stemming from a major starling problem." The unusual architecture of the building provided ideal harborage for the population of European starlings: The tiny birds were roosting in the decorative wood soffits, and found the many knotholes to be quite cozy and protective.  After assessing the situation, Felegi and his team decided to take an integrated approach, using two Bird-B-Gone products. The 3/4-in.-mesh Bird Net 2000 would be able to protect all of the detail work on the building, while the Bird Slope could protect the various ledges and beams. By joining several 2-ft. lengths of Bird Slope, the crew would be able to create almost a "sliding board" effect for birds trying to roost - they would not be able to gain a foothold on the 90-degree angled product, which is made out of non-conductive, sun- and weather –resistant PVC.

Felegi presented the plan to the building’s owners, who also own several other, similarly constructed buildings in close proximity (in fact, the building itself houses only caretakers and other employees of the neighboring commercial properties).  But they initially balked at the idea.

“They didn’t want us to use net at first, because they were worried about aesthetics,” Felegi says.  “But we put up a sample for them, and they realized they couldn’t see it from the street.  The sample made the sale”.

“In fact”, he adds with a laugh, “when we were done with the installation, they were complaining that they didn't think we did anything, because they couldn't see it!"
The lack of starlings milling around, however, soon gave them their proof.
Once the crew's work was complete, Felegi contacted the PMP to green-light the mite treatment. Starting next summer, his crew will follow up on the account on an annual basis to ensure all the anchors are secure and to repair any tears in the mesh.
At press time, Felegi is in negotiations to treat the clients' other buildings nearby.  "We had to educate the owners that this is an investment to their property, not just a short-term solution," he says. "They understand now that this adds value, and protects the building's occupants."

   

BIRD•B•GONE KEEPS BIRDS OFF BRIDGES!

Bird•B•Gone, Inc. Bird Control Products keep Pest Birds off of bridges nationwide.  Bird•B•Gone, is the leading manufacturer of bird control products in the US.  Their products humanly deter pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls and crows from buildings, structures, bridges, highway overpasses and other areas they like to nest and roost.

Bruce Donoho owner of Bird•B•Gone, Inc. says bridges make a perfect nesting and roosting area for birds such as pigeons.  They are protected here from interference by people, predators and the elements.  The droppings left behind by these birds can erode building materials such as concrete and steel.  When asked how to eliminate the birds from bridges and overpasses, Donoho says you must create a physical barrier that keeps the birds from landing.  This can be done with bird spikes, bird netting or even shock systems.  If the birds have nowhere to land, they will move on to another area.

Danny Sicurella of Global Bird Management Corp. has used Bird•B•Gone products on many highway bridges throughout Illinois and Arkansas.  The Illinois Department of Transportation contracted him to “Bird Proof” highway overpasses that where infested with pest birds such as pigeons and swallows.  Danny says that in some cases the feces left behind by the pigeons was 3 – 4 feet deep on the concrete supports.  The pigeon feces, over time, will erode the concrete and compromise the support.  He used bird netting to secure the bridges from pigeons nesting and roosting.  Danny says that protected birds such as swallows are also a big problem on highway overpasses.  Once a protected bird takes up “home” on the bridge, it is illegal to do bridge maintenance until the bird has gone.  This can really become a safety issue.  Danny also used Bird•B•Gone  Bird Netting to keep the swallows from making homes on these bridges.

Rob Lang of Smithereen in Chicago has bird proofed 26 viaduct/overpasses in the last 3 years.  Lang states that most of the structures have had pigeons living on them for years.  He says that the feces left behind is “deep and disgusting”!   A large part of the project is cleaning and sanitizing the bridge before bird control products can be installed.  Rob uses bird netting and bird spikes from Bird•B•Gone to keep pest pigeons from nesting and roosting on support beams.

In Dallas Texas, Gulf States Bird Control, owned and operated by Brett Mayes, has been contacted frequently to provide bird control for bridges and overpasses.  Brett says that he has put in many bids but has not done any jobs.  He fears that cities and transit authorities still are not aware of the importance of bird proofing bridges, not just the health risk to maintenance workers, but the structural integrity of the structures themselves. 

Donoho also states that Bird•B•Gone products are keeping such bridges as the Golden Gate, Brooklyn Bridge and others bird free.  Not only are we protecting the bridge infrastructure, we are also protecting the health of those who use the bridges daily.

Bird-B-Gone, Inc. is located in Mission Viejo, CA can be contacted at 800-392-6915.