12/09/2024

Bird and Bat Management an Unrealized Revenue Stream

By Richard D. Kramer, BCE, Kramer Pest Management and Consulting

Birds and bats are reservoirs for as many as 25-50 diseases. The most common disease contracted through accumulated bird and bat droppings is histoplasmosis, a fungal disease that can cause respiratory illness and in extreme cases death. Rabies is a disease that is carried by bats and if contracted typically through a bite is fatal if untreated. The rate of rabies infection in a bat colony is usually very low. In the United States, less than 1% of bats sampled from natural populations is rabid. Despite the low incidence of rabies in bats, a bite or suspected bite from a bat requires medical investigation. Birds also produce allergens that can be very problematic for sensitive individuals.

Birds and bats carry a variety of ectoparasites, most notably mites on birds and bat bugs on bats. Once we remove nesting birds or bat colonies, their respective ectoparasites, if present, seek alternative hosts – humans. It is added value and revenue to proactively treat for these parasites.

Birds can be an extreme nuisance when they perch, roost, and nest in or on structures and trees. Their droppings are very caustic and damage surface materials and coatings. In addition, birds damage crops, and their droppings contaminate stored food products.

In some settings, birds can be a major nuisance.
• Geese will attack people when they unknowingly pass by their nest. I’m aware of one case of a goose attacking a woman passing by the nest, causing her to fall and break her arm.
• Goose droppings on sidewalks and playgrounds pose an unsightly mess.
• Vultures perched on a school roof parapet and pulling patches off the membrane roof.
• Woodpeckers are looking for wood-boring beetles and, in the process, destroying the wooden shingles and trim on the house.

The most important step in bird and bat management is the survey. It is essential in many situations to understand fully what is going on before formulating a management plan. The site should be visited on several days and at different times to better analyze activity patterns.

Determine the species of bird. We have two categories of birds as determined by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act:
Non-protected – sparrows, starlings, pigeons, and in some cases, introduced parrots.

Protected – all other birds. Once the chicks have fledged, the nest can be removed and the birds excluded. In some cases, permits may be issued to remove protected birds or destroy their eggs (geese).

Population size: Are you dealing with one bird nesting in a dryer vent or fewer than 10 bats in an attic? Possibly a small group of nesting sparrows or pigeons. Or, is it a flock of starlings perching in a tree over cars when they return in the evening from their feeding site?

Location of the problem. Is it an attic, dryer vent, or an opening in the wall? Are birds in a school yard or on a roof top? Are they entering a maintenance facility through open doors and nesting inside? Are they perching on building ledges 100’ off the ground?

Habitat. Are you dealing with a country setting (wide open spaces), farm, detached houses in suburbia, or apartment and commercial buildings in the city? This can certainly affect your options.

Resources. What are they feeding on? Where are they feeding? Where are they nesting?

Activity patterns. Are they roosting, perching, or nesting? At the site are they attracted to food and water?
Time constraints. When can the work be done? Is the work going to be noticed by the public or building occupants?

Public relations issues. Even innocuous methods of bird management can garner undesirable public opinion. Unfounded perception can create a lot of issues.

Equipment. Occasionally equipment is needed that requires special training e.g., lifts, respirators, harnesses. Plan ahead and for the added cost.

Regulatory Compliance.

• Bats can be removed: September 1 to March 1.
• Bat colonies containing 10 or fewer adults do not require prior approval from the Department of Natural Resources for exclusion at any time of the year.

Management Options.
• Exclusion involves the use of netting, spikes, pin and wire, slide, bird spider, electric track, vent covers, etc.
• Harassment includes various reflectors, cannons, supersonic repellents, lasers, scare eyes, balloons, predator effigies, etc.
• Trapping can involve the use of mist nets, cage traps, pole nets, etc.
• Chemical: Various repellents containing methyl anthranilate, some with a reflective component, and bird tactile/taste gels that contain natural ingredients can deter bird activity. Avitrol is a corn-based frightening agent that can be lethal to some birds. It should only be used when it is certain that no protected birds are in the area.
• Shooting: this can be effective in ridding a location of a few non-protected birds. However, it involves coordination with building management and local law enforcement. Also, there is the potential for structural damage even with a pellet or bb gun.

A component of every bird or bat job should be dropping clean-up and nest removal. One of the products I have used over the years is Dissolve-it. 

When working in an environment with a lot of birds or bat droppings wear the proper protective equipment.
• Hooded Tyvek
• Eye protection (goggles)
• Gloves
• Respirator

Bird and bat management can be a great add-on revenue stream. It benefits your customers and your bottom line. It is important to be sure you are in compliance with all state and federal regulations if you take on this new service. In addition, check that your insurance policy includes your work in wildlife control and that you have hired or acquired the skills necessary to perform humane wildlife control services.

For more information about nuisance wildlife control and educational opportunities in this field, visit www.NWCOA.com.