Checking For Pest Birds At The Office

In our experience, when human activity at a premises is reduced or has come to a complete halt, the number of pest birds at the premises increases exponentially.

While many of us are still working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the buildings we usually occupy for work have little to no activity taking place in or around them.

The lack of danger or risk, usually imposed by the presence of humans, allows pest birds to nest and roost on these buildings, and inside their roof spaces, undisturbed, especially if there are well-sheltered areas present and a food or water source nearby.

What this essentially means, is that there is a strong possibility that you may return to your place of work to find a community of pest birds inhabiting the building and a great deal of bird droppings defacing a multitude of areas as a result. To ensure that you, your colleagues, and your customers are returning to an environment that will not compromise your/their health, especially at this time, we have compiled a list of things to look out for when you return to work.

Pest Bird Activity Checklist

Birds Roosting on the Building

Pest Birds
Droppings Visible on the Trusses of an Overhang

If pest bird droppings are present on the façade of the building, there is a strong likelihood that there is a nest built somewhere on or in your building. If you notice droppings on any of the following areas, we advise that further investigation and treatment be implemented to keep the birds at bay:

  • Walkways
  • Handrails
  • Ledges
  • Walls
  • Windows
  • Window Sills

Birds Nesting and/or Roosting on Balconies

Pest Birds
Droppings Visible on the Balcony Floor

Because balconies are usually well sheltered, birds will often make use of these spaces for nesting purposes, especially if there has been no activity on the balcony in a while. Look out for the following on the balconies at your offices, and give us a call to assist in providing solutions to ward off the unwanted birds and droppings:

  • Bird Droppings on Balcony:
    • Floors
    • Awnings
    • Pergolas
    • Balustrades
    • Furniture
  • Nests or nesting debris:
    • On or behind Air-conditioning Units
    • On Balcony Floors
    • On or Under Awnings

Birds Nesting and/or Roosting In or On the Roof

Pest Birds
Birds Roosting on Roof Ridge with Droppings Visible

Due to the sheer height of roofs, the many nooks and crannies providing potential shelter on roofs, and the general lack of human activity on a roof, it is often the area of a building that birds are most drawn to – especially for nesting purposes. It is, therefore, important to keep an eye out for any of the following and to take action against pest bird infestation should these telltale signs be present:

  • Bird Droppings on:
    • Roof Ridges
    • Gutter Edges
    • Roof Edges
    • Eaves Boards
    • Drainpipes
  • Nests and Nesting Materials:Inside the Roof Space
    • Under Roof Overhands
    • In Gutters
    • On Drainpipes
    • Behind Roof Parapets
    • Under, On, or Next to Plant Machinery
    • Under, On or Next to HVAC Ducts
    • Under, On or Next to Air-conditioning Units
    • Under, On or Next to Solar Panels

Birds Nesting and/or Roosting in Parking Garages

Pest Birds
Pest Birds and their Droppings Visible on Pipes above Vehicles in a Parking Garage

Enclosed Parking Garages, particularly Basement Parking Garages, are possibly the most popular areas for pest birds to nest, as they provide optimal shelter and are most often easy to access. The primary clues to look out for when identifying pest bird activity in a Parking Garage are as follows:

  • Bird Droppings on:
    • Parked Vehicles
    • Sprinkler Pipes
    • Drainpipes
    • Cable Trays
    • HVAC Ducts
    • Air-conditioning Units
  • Nest and/or Nesting Materials on:
    • Drainpipes
    • Cable Trays
    • HVAC Ducts
    • Air-conditioning Units

If upon returning to work, you see evidence of any of the above, we advise that you make contact with us to provide a quotation to clean and disinfect these areas, and to put guaranteed solutions in place to prevent these birds from returning to your premises, compromising the health and wellbeing of you, your colleagues and your customers.

While our Administrative and Management Team Members are currently working from home our Installation Team is fully operational with a strict COVID-19 Health & Safety Procedure in place and all of the necessary PPE, sanitising, and disinfecting items at hand and in use. For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] or on 021 797 7788.