One would think that a cute little bird like the sparrow wouldn't pose much of a problem for a business, but because of their nesting and feeding habits, and their tendency to be very vocal, these little birds can become a big problem. A very big problem! But, with a little education about the behavior of these little birds, and a little tip on how to keep these little birds away, the big problem of a sparrow infestation can be completely avoided.
What do these little birds look like?
The house, or English, sparrow is a chunky little bird that is brown and only about 5 ¾ inches long. The male has a black bib, white cheeks, a chestnut mantle around his gray crown, and chestnut feathers on his upper wings. The female and young have a plain, dingy gray breast, buffy eye stripe, and a streaked back.
Where do sparrows prefer to live?
These little birds are typically found in nearly every habitat except dense forest, alpine, and desert environments. They prefer human areas, especially farms; but they are still the most common bird in most urban areas.
How are sparrows damaging to businesses?
- Bird droppings are not only an unsightly mess that you have to expend resources to clean up; they can also be a slipping hazard for employees and customers. Worse still, bird droppings may contain bacteria, fungal agents, and parasites, which can cause illness.
- For most businesses, sparrow nests are an eyesore that can also clog gutters and downspouts and create a fire hazard when built in electrical boxes.
- Sparrows carry diseases and bugs. A few diseases they are known to transmit are salmonellosis, tuberculosis, encephalitis, and chlamydiosis. Internal parasites they can carry include acariasis, taeniasis, and toxoplasmosis; and just a few of the household pests they may be carrying are bed bugs, fleas, lice, mites, and ticks.
- Sparrows cause damage by pecking at the rigid foam insulation inside some buildings.
- When populations become large enough, the chattering of a flock can be of extreme annoyance to nearby people. This can lead to employee frustration and loss of customers.
- Sparrows in grain storage facilities not only feed on the grain causing loss of product, but they also contaminate the grain with fecal matter while stealing the food.
- On livestock or poultry farms, sparrows will continually feed off the animal’s feed as well as contaminate the facility with droppings.
- In fields, sparrows damage crops by pecking seeds, seedlings, buds, flowers, vegetables, and maturing fruits, potentially greatly reducing productivity.
Here at Action Pest Control, our specialists have the tools and education to deter sparrows from choosing your business to perch or nest on. With advanced bird control deterrents, those birds will know where they can and cannot be.
Don't let these little birds become a big problem. Take action, and get Action today.