Bird Control Newcastle
We are Newcastle’s leading bird control experts, offering North-East customers a range of solutions for dealing with infestations of pest bird species such as pigeons and gulls.
When someone says “pest species” your first thought is probably rats or mice rather than birds, but these flying pests pose just as many health and safety problems, spreading diseases, destroying property, and doing significant damage to the quality of life for those nearby.
Luckily, we are here to help, offering a wide range of pest bird solutions including bird netting, bird spikes, trapping, shooting, falconry, and more.
Pest Bird Dangers
An overpopulation of pest birds can pose a range of serious health and safety problems for those nearby, and it is vital that they are managed effectively.
Not only do these pests spread a variety of dangerous diseases through their droppings, but they can also do major damage to your building’s aesthetics, both in the short-term through their presence alone, and in the long-term by causing serious property damage.
Some of the biggest pest problems posed by bird species in the Newcastle Upon Tyne area include:
Disease Spreading
Pest birds such as pigeons and gulls are prolific disease carriers, with a build up of bird droppings posing a serious problem to public health.
Some of the diseases that can be carried and spread by pest birds include Salmonella, E. Coli, Histoplasmosis, and Psittacosis.
Feral pigeons, the most common pest bird found in the UK, have been identified as carrying as many as 110 different pathogens alone.
Whilst contact with droppings is the most common transmission method between pest birds and humans, disease can also spread through direct contact and through accidental consumption of bird feathers.
Pest control solutions designed to deter birds from gathering in large numbers in highly populated urban areas can help to prevent the spread of the pathogens leading to such diseases, making your property a much safer and healthier environment.
Property Damage
The longer a population of pest birds is allowed to roost on your property, and the larger said population is, the more bird faeces will build up on surfaces such as rooftops, pathways, and floors.
A layer of droppings on a commonly used walkway is a safety hazard in itself, creating a potential slip hazard, but it is the long-term property damage that can really cause problems.
Bird faeces is extremely toxic, and this acidity can cause almost any surface to erode over time.
Significantly increasing the speed at which metal and stone degrade, a pest bird infestation can cause leaks, rusting, and other damage that may compromise the structural integrity of your property.
Not only will this pose a safety risk to residents, staff, or visitors, but it will also lead to extremely expensive repair bills further down the line if swift action is not taken.
Common Pest Bird Species
We provide effective services to deal with infestations of the following bird species in Newcastle and across the North East:
- Feral Pigeons (Columba livia)
- Gulls (Laridae)
- Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
- House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
- Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)
There are strict regulations on bird control in the UK and the bird proofing measures that can be used legally to deter each of these species, and other birds, will vary.
It is also important to note that the vast majority of birds, such as the valuable population of Kittiwakes that breed along the river tyne on manmade structures such as the Baltic Centre for Contemporary art, are NOT considered pests, and are invaluable parts of our eco-system.
You should ALWAYS use a professional BPCA accredited pest bird control company rather than attempting DIY pest control to avoid accidentally breaching animal welfare regulations.
Bird Control Newcastle Services
We have a wide range of prevention methods available that we can use to tackle pest bird infestations in Newcastle.
With all the latest bird control technology at our fingertips, our technicians will use all their training and experience to determine the best possible solution to your nuisance bird problem and implement it on your property.
Some of our most popular bird proofing options include:
Bird Netting
Bird netting is the perfect way to stop pest species from going where you don’t want them.
Formed from a highly flexible UV Stabilised Polyethylene, bird netting can be installed in just about any location, either horizontally or vertically, and works by making it physically impossible for birds to access certain areas.
Lasting for up to 10 years, and available in wide range of different colours, sizes, and weights, bird netting is by far the most comprehensive pest bird prevention method on the market.
From protecting an entire warehouse to keeping smaller species off a single plant in your allotment, netting can be installed in almost any situation.
Our netting is specifically designed to be as discreet as possible, eliminating harmful UV rays whilst letting as much natural light through as possible, and won’t interfere with solar panel operation.
Bird Spikes
Bird spike systems are comprised of rows of blunt metal prongs attached to a highly flexible polycarbonate base.
Installing bird spikes in common roosting locations on your property will prevent pest species from being able to land, forcing them to move elsewhere.
Despite their rather ominous name, bird spikes are not designed to harm birds in any way, and will simply nudge larger birds to take off again if they attempt to land.
The flexibility of bird spike strips, which can be attached in a variety of different ways, make them perfect for protecting difficult to access roosting spots such as window ledges, gutters, signs, and balconies.
Bird Deterrents
Whilst bird spikes and netting are by far the two most effective measures you can put in place to deter birds from settling on your property, they are not suitable for every situation.
Other deterrents that can be useful include:
- Model predators – Plastic replicas of owls, falcons, or other predators can be effective deterrents but unless you keep moving these around, birds will eventually return.
- Scaring Devices – There are regulations surrounding the use of scarers in the UK so consult with a professional before installing one on your property.
- Kites – Flying bird shaped kites can give the impression that there is an active predator in the area.
- Motion Detecting Sprinklers
- Reflecting disks – Many birds dislike shiny objects and hanging older broke CDs outside our property can actually keep birds away in many situations. You can also purchase rotating reflect deterrents that do a similar job.
Bird Removal Experts Newcastle
If you have a significant population of pest birds already roosting on your property, it may be too late for deterrents to be effective.
We offer a number of specialist removal services for those dealing with a particularly troublesome infestation.
These include:
- Bird Shooting – Conducted only by highly trained marksmen in a controlled environment.
- Bird Trapping
- Falconry – Scaring away an existing infestation by flying a trained hawk or similar over a property.
In Newcastle, pigeon control is the most common reason for bird removal being required, due to the high population of the species in urban spaces close to the River Tyne.
There are strict laws regarding bird removal in the UK, and you should NEVER attempt trapping or shooting yourself.