The UK is a diverse country regarding birds. They hold a special place in the hearts of the UK population. Currently there are 628 species of birds that are recorded in the wild in the UK with many diverse settings and species in which they live, breed and feed. From Gulls soaring in the sky over the coasts and inland areas to the small birds living in your garden shed, birds have become a welcome sight to the residents of the UK.
Of course, most of these species rarely come in to contact with humans and when they do the interaction is a positive one. From twitchers getting excited about a rare species to feeding birds in your garden we have a responsibility as a species to look after our natural world and the diversity that lives inside it.
With such a diverse array of species there are instances when the impact of numbers of birds can start to cause issues within your property or business. There are many ways birds can impact with human activity. You certainly don’t want a flock of geese feeding from an airstrip with planes landing around them or hundreds of pigeons living in your loft with all the associated disease and pathogens living in their excreta which can affect the health of the people living in the building, there are instances where excreta from birds have killed people by entering air conditioning systems in hospitals. There is no doubt the impact of birds can be dangerous if not managed carefully and thoughtfully.
Invicta are experienced in the management of buildings and modern exclusion methods to help minimise the impact of birds across your business or property. We have over 50 years of experience of delivering well planned, safety focussed projects to remove birds and their impact from structures across the UK. We can help with all aspects of proofing, strategy and if necessary, licence applications to Natural England for major issues.
Please feel free to call us direct to speak to one of our project managers for guidance over what can and cannot be done to protect your buildings and property from the impact of birds.
Invicta’s Bird Control Process
Investigation
Invicta will attend your site to investigate what species of bird is causing you issues. We will listen and understand exactly what you would like to achieve in controlling the bird issue on site.
Recommendations
We will produce a detailed survey report which will outline what we recommend to keep your site bird free.. Within the report we will include costs to carry out each of our recommendations.
Attendance
Once works have been agreed with yourself, we will agree a date of attendance convenient with yourself. Risk assessments, Method statements & Training certification will be sent over before we attend site.
Completion
Our Fully trained bird control teams will attend site to complete the work agreed. We will then invite the site contact to inspect the work and a detailed report will be emailed over to show that all works have now been completed.
Our Approach
At Invicta we offer an integrated management strategies and systems that compliment buildings and work closely to support your interaction with nature in a positive way. Our approach to our bird management can include many different aspects to achieve your goals, unfortunately there isn’t a one size fits all approach to managing birds on your property or business.
It’s important to remember that all birds in the UK are protected, even the ones that people think aren’t or shouldn’t be protected because of their numbers seen are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Yes, even Pigeons and Magpies, the most common of birds are covered by licencing within the legislation built around protecting nature during interactions with man. Its important to understand this when looking at and planning bird management on your building.
When looking holistically at a bird management plan for our clients Invicta are experts at supporting your bird management project with good solid advice to help decide the most cost effective way to protect your property. Selecting the appropriate bird control package to integrate with a bird management plan can be based and influenced by several factors, these must be considered before making any final decisions on the appropriate course of action to manage birds within or living on your buildings. It’s also very important that this is documented with the reasoning for making decisions. In recent years we have seen the introduction of laser technology, electric shock tracks and optical olfactory gels, never used in mainstream bird management applications and new innovations are arriving every day. Choosing a product, or indeed an array of products, for bird management might seem daunting at first, however, the process is about understanding what any given job might require and how to implement your control plan. Invicta are experts at assessing, supplying and implementing long term strategies to manage these issues. Invicta believe in adapting bird proofing and dispersal products to complement your environment and make sure your avian management plan is successful.
The Survey
Invicta ensure success by getting the survey right, get it wrong, and the project could become a costly exercise that fails! All bird issues tend to be related to the following factors:
- The bird’s ability to shelter from the elements
- The structures they are sheltering on
- The availability of food and water in the area
- The birds breeding and their ability to reproduce
- The overall environment and whether this can be changed to prevent the issue occurring
Invicta will work closely with you to remove and reduce the causes of the issue, be that fouling, birs aggression during breeding, blocked gutters or damage from excreta to your property. We always deliver exceptional customer service, Its in our ethos!
Bird pressure
The level of bird pressure can be defined as the following, The impact of the birds and the numbers present on site. Birds can get to huge numbers of the environmental factors are correct for their growth.
On every survey we define the following:
- Is there a compelling reason for the birds using the building?
- What is the likelihood they will move or return once the project is completed?
- What impact would the removal have on your neighbours’ buildings?
Where will the birds go to once the project is complete and can this be mitigated?
Proofing or dispersal? Mitigate or eliminate?
Bird control products fall into two simple categories:
- Proofing: This involves physically excluding the birds from the area to be protected.
- Dispersal: This consists in creating a sense of danger in the affected area that causes the birds to leave.
‘Scaring’ them away or re-educating them that the area is dangerous and is not a good place for them to stay.
This is a simple choice influenced by the client’s needs and the scale of the infested area. The decision can involve multiple products and methods to support the project hence the need for a through survey.
Options that are available for Proofing and Dispersal:
Proofing Products: Netting, Antiperch Spikes, Post and Wire Systems, Grid Wire Systems, Welded Mesh, Chimney Guards
Dispersal Products: Avishock, Lasers, Optical Gel, Distress Callers, Bird Alert Systems
An integrated approach and good solid advice is key to supporting your goals whilst ensuring the approach is both legal and kind to the environment.