Birds may seem harmless, but when they start showing up in your commercial or industrial facility, they can quickly become a serious problem. From health hazards to property damage, small birds like sparrows, starlings, swallows, and pigeons can disrupt operations and hurt your bottom line. If you’re wondering how to deter small birds from your building, you’re not alone: Wild Goose Chase, the bird control expert, is here to help.
Our proven bird control strategies include compliant removal, advanced prevention methods, and professional cleaning to help you keep your space bird-free long term. Below, we’ll walk through the top three steps to solve a small bird problem at your facility.
Step 1: Compliant Removal of Small Birds
When you first notice birds nesting or roosting in your facility, it’s important to act quickly, but responsibly. At Wild Goose Chase, we believe in humane and legally compliant bird removal, using tactics that help both your facility and the local ecosystem.
Many small birds are protected by federal laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. That means it’s illegal to trap, harm, or remove birds or their active nests without first obtaining the required permits and/or licenses to do so. Wild Goose Chase’s solutions respect the law and protect your company from potential violations.
Our Approach to Bird Removal
We start with a full inspection to identify the specific bird species to validate their protected status, evaluate how birds are getting in and observe their behavior (e.g., nesting, mating, roosting, etc.). Then we implement species-specific and site appropriate removal solutions that resolve the problem safely and discreetly, reducing your liability and minimizing damage to your facility.
Step 2: Clean and Disinfect the Area
Once the nuisance bird population is under control, the area should be professionally cleaned. Bird droppings are more than just unsightly. They can create serious health risks and may even attract more birds to your site as their droppings contain pheromones.
Why Cleaning Is Essential
- Health Hazards: Bird feces carry bacteria like Salmonella and Histoplasma, which can lead to respiratory illness and other health issues for employees and customers.
- Pheromones in Feces: Pigeons, for example, leave behind chemical markers in their waste that attract other birds. If not properly cleaned, this signals to new flocks that your facility is a good place to settle.
- Building Damage: Bird droppings are acidic and can corrode metal, paint, and concrete over time, leading to costly repairs.
Our Cleaning Services
Wild Goose Chase uses commercial-grade disinfectants, protective equipment (PPE), and specialized debris removal tools to clean bird waste safely and thoroughly. This final step helps you start fresh, avoid compliance issues, and protect your property long-term.
Step 3: Prevent Birds from Returning
After birds have been removed and the area has been cleaned, one final step to truly deter small birds is to you restrict access to the previous problem areas.
Wild Goose Chase offers a variety of structural and sensory prevention tools designed to work in almost any environment—from food processing plants and distribution centers to retail spaces and airports.
Structural Bird Deterrents
- Bird Netting: Covers large areas like warehouse rafters and loading docks to keep birds out completely.
- Bird Spikes: Placed on ledges, signs, and beams to prevent perching and roosting.
- Bird Wire Systems: Thin wires stretched across landing zones make it uncomfortable for birds to land.
These traditional methods create physical barriers that work 24/7 without needing to be recharged or maintained constantly.
Innovative Bird Deterrents
- Methyl Anthranilate Vapor: An FDA-approved, grape-scented vapor that’s irritating to birds but safe for people and animals. After repeated exposure, the area becomes unattractive for birds to spend prolonged time there .
- Laser Bird Deterrents: A laser system specifically designed for bird eyesight sweeps across targeted areas and disrupts bird activity. These systems are highly effective in low-light indoor or nighttime settings, but also strong enough to work during the daytime. Our team expertly programs each laser to ensure it’s targeting the appropriate areas in a manner that prevents habituation.
By combining both traditional and innovative methods, we design custom prevention plans tailored to your building’s layout, bird species, bird activity, and risk level.
What Kind of Facilities Are Affected by Small Birds?
Small birds can find their way into almost any type of building. Our clients come from all industries, but we frequently work with:
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Food and beverage facilities
- Industrial manufacturing facilities
- Transportation terminals
- Big-box retail stores
- Hospitals and healthcare centers
If your space has high ceilings, open doors, or loading docks, it’s especially vulnerable to bird intrusions. No matter your industry, our team at Wild Goose Chase can help you put together a plan to protect your space.
The Wild Goose Chase Difference
With nearly 30 years of experience and a proven track record in bird control, Wild Goose Chase offers more than just products—we provide complete nuisance bird management from start to finish.
Why Choose Us?
- Comprehensive Assessments: We begin every project with a full site evaluation to identify bird species and observe bird behavior and activity.
- Compliant Methods: Our services are in full compliance with Federal, State, and local bird protection laws.
- Tailored Solutions: We design solutions that are site-specific, not just a one-size-fits-all “fix”.
- Experienced Teams: Our technicians have decades of experience and are trained in safety, wildlife biology, and environmental control.
- Long-Term Support: We don’t just install systems and walk away; we offer monitoring, maintenance, and follow-up as needed.
Our team works with you every step of the way to reduce bird-related risks, lower your facility maintenance costs, and protect your team’s health and safety.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Facility Bird-Free
Dealing with small birds in your facility isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a threat to cleanliness, safety, and productivity. Whether you’re trying to stop pigeons from nesting in rafters or discourage sparrows from entering through open doors, a full-service approach is the best way to stop the problem for good.
At Wild Goose Chase, we combine compliant removal, professional cleaning, and advanced prevention systems to help you regain control of your building. Don’t let birds take over your space—partner with a team that knows how to protect what matters.
Reach out to Wild Goose Chase today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help you deter small birds from your facility.
Marcus Hagberg is the COO of Wild Goose Chase, a leading pest and nuisance bird control company serving the Midwest. With over 20 years of industry experience, he helps lead a specialized team of biologists, canine handlers, and construction experts to deliver effective, customized solutions. Marcus is committed to providing strategic, research-backed bird control services that protect properties from health and safety risks.