Birds

Often, when we think of pest control, critters like mice, rats, and skunks come to mind and, while these can certainly do significant damage to both home and residential property, there's a lesser considered species that cost property owners untold millions in damages every year, Birds.

In their migratory patterns of "south in winter" and "north in summer," the first thing that birds look for when arriving at their destination, is a place to call home for the season. Be it individual nests, or larger "group" structures, they are always on the lookout for a convenient place to build, and that often includes our attics, garages, sheds, chimneys, and barns. Nesting materials can lead to electrical fires, plugged ventilation, heating and air-conditioning damage, and replacement/repair costs for stolen nesting materials. 

Attics are especially vulnerable, as they often contain boxes of paper and fabric "keep-sakes," which are ideal (and irreplaceable) nest fillers. Birds "in residence" can destroy crops, gardens, and fruit orchards as well. Open chimneys can also be a temptation to birds seeking a place to nest. Unfortunately, it's also an easy place to get stuck, leading to a noisy chimney blockage (and expensive removal) or worse, a house filled with the stench of the decomposing animal. If they are able to nest in there, you face the fire hazard of combustible nesting materials, noisy chicks, accumulating excrement in the flu and fireplace, and, again, the unpleasant after-effects of birds killed by smoke inhalation.

The most common pest species include sparrows, starlings, swallows, and woodpeckers. Larger birds, like jays, crows, and pigeons, can create an unbelievable amount of damage and noise. Then, of course...there's the poop. It can be much more than just a tiresome daily nuisance to clean off of automobile windshields, outdoor furniture, and ornamentals. Bird feces, in addition to being unsightly and odiferous, is highly uric. It will damage most wood, paper, or painted surfaces it comes in contact with, and cause rust and corrosion to metals. Wood-rot caused to attic supports and joists can eventually require roof-replacement. 

This excrement also poses significant health risks, as it can spread diseases like:

Our feathered friends can spread other diseases that they don't even carry, by way of the vermin that call their bodies home, like ticks, mites, and other parasites. These can present a health danger to humans, pets, and livestock alike. The very fact that birds can fly (and we can't) can make them a tricky pest to deal with. Also, many species are protected by federal and state laws, and only particular methods or licensed professionals may be used to deal with them.

Your best bet, when seeking to rid yourself of avian annoyances, is to contact Elite Pest Control. We are trained in the best methods and know which ones can and can't be used in your area. Call us today and make your bird problems a thing of the past.