How to Prevent Bird Infestations in Food Processing

Food and beverage businesses work diligently to uphold clean environments, yet bird-related risks are often underestimated.

Pest birds like pigeons and sparrows can lead to disruptions and property damage. If bird activity or nesting has become more noticeable around your facility, reach out to Action Pest Control for information on commercial bird control and prevention solutions.

Health Hazards Associated with Birds

While some birds are kept as pets, wild birds can carry pathogens, fungal spores, and ectoparasites. These can be found on their feathers, in nests, or within droppings. Birds are linked to the transmission of more than 60 diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, Salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and West Nile virus.

Businesses Issues Associated with Birds

A single bird or evidence of bird activity in a food processing facility can disrupt operations, potentially resulting in shutdowns or plant closures if noticed during health and regulatory inspections. If flagged in third-party audits, bird presence may put business relationships at risk, and companies could face substantial fines for related violations.

Managing a bird issue isn’t as straightforward as handling it internally. Many species are legally protected at federal, state, and local levels, meaning actions such as relocation, nest disturbance, or removal can lead to legal and financial repercussions. Consulting a professional before intervening helps protect your business from breaking the law.

Frequently Problematic Birds

Different bird species can create challenges for food processing facilities, though some are more commonly encountered than others.

Smaller birds, in particular, can slip indoors with ease, such as:

• English house sparrows
• Common European starlings
• Swallows

Larger birds typically stay outside, but their presence can still result in damage to rooftops and building exteriors, such as:

• Pigeons
• Seagulls

Why are Birds Interested in My Property?

The environment around a food processing facility can impact bird activity. Locations near water, landfills, or feed mills often attract more birds and may need extra control measures.

Within the facility, certain areas and conditions can make it more inviting to birds. Factors that contribute to this include:

• Open dumpsters and spilled products outside offer birds a readily available food source.
• Overhangs create sheltered areas that make prime nesting locations.
• Structural gaps, including those in corrugated siding, soffits, and weep holes, provide additional nesting spots.
• Damaged dock door bumpers can collect food debris, drawing in birds looking for nesting sites.
• Windows and doors left open for ventilation or movement provide birds with direct access indoors.
• Even small openings around doors can be enough for birds to simply walk inside.

Risks to Product Integrity and Air Quality

Birds can introduce contamination to food processing facilities either by entering directly or gathering on rooftops.

Open doors provide an easy entry point, and some bird species quickly adapt, learning when these access points will be available. Once inside, they may fly around or perch on rafters and other elevated surfaces, where droppings can fall onto production lines or stored goods, increasing contamination risks.

Rooftops also accumulate birds, giving them a strategic nest where they can locate food and shelter. HVAC systems, mechanical equipment, and air circulation units create warm areas where birds tend to gather. As these systems run, they can pull in feathers and droppings, potentially circulating contaminants throughout the facility.

5 Strategies to Reduce Bird Activity

Managing bird contamination should be a priority for any food processing facility. Working with a bird control specialist can help identify effective strategies tailored to your specific needs, as solutions vary by location and facility design.

When addressing a bird problem, consider these steps:

1. Close doors and windows.

Birds frequently enter facilities through doors left open for ventilation or convenience. Installing screen doors helps maintain airflow while keeping birds out, while strip doors provide a flexible barrier that allows movement while discouraging pests. Encouraging staff to keep doors and windows closed when not in use can further limit opportunities for birds to get inside.

2. Seek expert guidance for bird exclusion.

Installing netting under overhangs can help prevent birds from roosting or nesting in these sheltered spots. This method not only limits nesting opportunities but also discourages birds from congregating near entryways, reducing the likelihood of them gaining access indoors.

3. Use perch deterrents in outdoor areas where birds frequently gather.

Devices such as spikes and electric tracks make surfaces less inviting without harming birds, encouraging them to seek alternative roosting spots and helping to minimize their presence around the facility.

4. Seal gaps at dock doors while trucks are present and inspect the building for small openings.

Even the smallest gaps can serve as entry points for birds, making routine exterior inspections essential. Observing deliveries and product pickups can also help identify areas where birds may be gathering or slipping inside.

5. Educate staff on the importance of cleanliness.

Birds are often overlooked as a concern, and employees may not recognize the problems that will arise if they’re allowed to feed on spilled products. Training staff on the risks, enforcing quick cleanup, and ensuring products are stored indoors can help minimize attraction. Designating someone to regularly inspect garbage and dumpster areas can also reduce access to food sources and nesting materials.

Other bird management tactics, such as hazing techniques or vegetation treatments, may be worth exploring. The most effective approach will depend on the facility’s operations, the bird species present, and the specific location.

Professional Bird Control Solutions

Even a single bird can create unexpected challenges, making it essential for your business to stay vigilant.

If bird activity around your facility has increased or you’ve had issues with them getting inside, contact the experts at Action Pest Control. Schedule a consultation at the first sign of a problem, before it escalates.