Common Pest Species

All birds are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and different birds have different levels of protection. Whether intentional or unintentional you can be liable and fined if you do not adhere to legislation. It is essential that if you believe there is a risk of bird nesting that could impact your business you seek expert advice.

The most common complaints amongst pest Gulls are:

1. Noise - the noise Gulls make can be irritating and deafening to both members of staff and neighbours, especially during nesting season (Mar to Sept). 

2. Rooftop nesting - Gull nesting debris can block downpipes and guttering as well as attracting parasites and nuisance insects.

3. Gull menace - Gulls can often attack people during nesting season to protect their nests. Seagulls are very well known to swoop at people to steal food. 

4. Gull fouling - Seagull guano is not only unsightly but a potential health risk especially near ventilation systems and rooftop plant machinery

5. Vehicle or building damage – caused by acidic nature of seagull guano

6.Raised costs – Increased building maintenance and cleaning costs

If a gull problem is present it will need everyone affected to work together for a successful outcome. We may find it necessary to survey neighbouring premises too, more often than not they will be affected by the same nuisance urban gulls or could even be the source which is attracting the gull problem. We will work with you and the surrounding community to ensure that the final outcome is the dispersal of all nuisance gulls.

There are a number of gull control measures to limit urban gull problems which may include:
Falconry - using hawks or falcons as a natural deterrent,

Gull proofing - which may include netting, spiking.

An effective programme is likely to use a combination of the above methods, however we will complete a bird survey before making gull limiting recommendations.

The crow family (Corvids) are a family of birds that include crows, rooks, ravens, jackdaws, jays, magpies. The crow family are among the most intelligent and sociable birds in the UK congregating in large numbers. Eight species of the crow family breed in the UK and nesting is usually from March onwards. The crow family is frequently a nuisance to residents, agriculture and even airports where their presence is a high risk. 

The most common complaints amongst pest Corvids are:

1. Noise - If you’re unfortunate enough to live within earshot of a rookery, you’ll be very well aware of the extreme noise generated by the birds from as early as 4am

2. Often associated with crop damage, the rook will eat most grains given the opportunity

3. Guano and debris from the nests - this can cause blockage of drains and gutters.

4. Crows are known to attack cars and will wrench off windscreen wipers etc. 

Crows, rooks and jackdaws will also pull putty out from around windows whilst attacking their own reflection.

Starlings are most commonly seen as pests due to the damage they cause to agriculture and urban areas. 

The most common complaints amongst pest Starlings are:

1. Flocking and roosting - when done in such large numbers the result can only mean large amount of droppings generated in one place.

2. Flocking near airports - This leads to a risk of bird strike for an aircraft taking off or landing. 

3. Droppings - This can cause degradation to brick and even steel work due to the acidity of the droppings. In addition a health risk is caused by starlings droppings in the soil. This promotes fungal growth and can lead to disease if it comes into contact with people.

There are a number of ways to deter and prevent starlings from being a nuisance including a Bird of Prey Programme.

There are several diseases known to be associated with bird droppings, all of which can present a risk to human health. When cleaning bird droppings in any quantity the affected area should always be dampened and treated before removal to prevent the risk of inhalation and infection.

Histoplasmosis - When dried-out bird droppings are disturbed, a cloud of airborne dust carries micro-organisms into the lungs leading to respiratory difficulties.

Cryptococcosis - Contracted from bird droppings in nesting or roosting areas or wherever there are bird droppings and can result in flu like symptoms, a fever or in extreme cases, death.

Ornithosis - One of the most commonly found diseases it is transmitted by birds such as pigeons and is known as Ornithosis. A flu type disease, fatalities can occur as with normal influenza viruses.

Campylobacterosis - A bacterial infection contracted via ingestion or contact of guano or guano dust. It causes diarrhoea or dysentery syndrome, mostly but can also include cramps, fever and pain.

Whilst it’s safe to clean up the odd bird dropping, handling bird droppings of any quantity should be done with care due to the risk from disease listed above. Large quantities should only be handled by an experienced professional and disposed of safely.