What to do about pesky birds around cafes
The three main avian urban pest species in this area are feral pigeons, (Colomba livia); starlings (Stumus valgaris); and house sparrows (Passer domestica). They can be found in abundance where there are plentiful food sources.
Accordingly food-orientated businesses often wrestle with ways to maintain some control over them. Second to this, and at this time of the year many of the bird species in the Horowhenua district are just starting to nest. Warm weather and increasing day length are triggers for egg laying and therefore birds begin to engage in hasty nest building activity.
Apart from coming to cafes, increased bird activity sometimes creates a range of problems that can conflict with human interests. Images of ‘unsightly’ bird droppings along with its effect on structures, houses and cars can cause a range of problems.
Birds do not urinate. Instead they expel excess water, mixed with other food material, in their excrement. The result, seen as the white colouring, is in the form of uric acid which has a pH level of 3 to 4.
This means the acidity of bird excrement is capable of causing corrosive damage, in particular to stone and metal structures.
The incidence of pigeon excrement is intensifying in both urban and rural New Zealand. This and its disagreeable smell deters people from the vicinity of nesting and perching sites. It poses a serious slip hazard particularly on pavements and walkways.
It affects how we enjoy our cafe´ culture, and a warm day outdoors eating. Ever encountered the friendly little house sparrow who flies to surrounding tables scavenging for crumbs and leftover food?
While predominantly a grain eater, the house sparrow also enjoys human food, particularly bread. This means for food retailers and restaurateurs the house sparrow poses something of a problem.
Starlings like nothing more than to accumulate nesting materials. But the accumulation of nesting materials can be an issue particularly when it blocks guttering, downspouts and chimneys. In chimneys this risks being a fire hazard. But it can also attract and become a reservoir for carpet beetle larvae — an insect pest in the region.
Birds have many beneficial roles.
Their beauty and auditory attractiveness in the environment is invaluable. They catch and consume a range of annoying insects, reducing numbers. Therefore its important to employ solutions that are harmless to them. So what is the best way?
There is no substitute for good bird exclusion. While there is an enormous range of audio, visual or physical bird repelling devices, many are not very successful. Instead the safest (and best) approach involves implementing bird-proof preventative nets, wire netting or screens that essentially block birds from accessing nesting or roosting sites.
Plastic strip doors or curtains can be a good approach for open access doors.
Open-air restaurants are best to minimise food sources, clean and remove all food scraps once seating is vacated. Requesting that customers should refrain from feeding the birds is important.
The house sparrow has successfully learned to cohabit with humans therefore removing all food waste immediately, and disposing of it in bins with tight fitting lids will help to deter the birds.
■ Brent Page is a Horowhenua entomologist and Director of Nature’s Way Pest Control. For more information, visit www.nwpc.co.nz/pests/birds