Common Food Pests - Birds

Many birds commonly gain access to food premises including sparrows, starlings and pigeons and all are classified as a food pest.

All birds should be controlled to:

• prevent contamination of the food and equipment by droppings, feathers etc.
• prevent the spread of diseases, such as, salmonella and campylobacter.
• prevent insect infestation carried by the birds.
• prevent damage to the buildings and blockages in gutters.
• prevent damage to packaging materials.

Control may be achieved by:-

• Eliminating perches
  Considered at the design stage, once the building is completed elimination of perches is costly.
• Good housekeeping and maintenance
  Prevention is better than cure. All spillages should be cleaned up immediately, rubbish bins should have close fitting lids and waste areas must be in a clean condition.
• Proofing of windows and doors
  All openings should be protected. Doors should be self-closing and plastic strips fitted to doors which are used regularly.
• Traps
  May be used in feeding areas.
• Mist netting (MAFF licence required)
  Licensed operators may use fine nets that are not detectable by birds fitted over flight paths. Protected species are released and pests disposed of.
• Bird scarers
  Including sounds and lights are of limited value unless used intermittently.
• Shooting
  The use air rifles during roosting periods may be successful. Care must be taken to ensure that pellets do not contaminate food.
• Chemical Control
  - e.g. Narcotics such as alphachloralose (MAFF licence required)

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

The UK conforms to the EU Birds Directive by the issue of licences to authorised persons for the taking of pest species and which aims to prevent the use of measures which may be considered inhumane