and gaps can be eliminated through sealing
with hardware cloth, mortar patching, net-
ting, expandable foam, and sheet metal. If
sanitary practices are followed to remove
food from the site, birds will not be attracted.
Entry into buildings can be reduced through
the installation of screens on doors, win-
dows, and ventilation openings.
Trapping is generally considered an
acceptable method of bird control. Traps
should be prebated for 1 to 2 days to permit
acclimation. Wires that administer a mild
electric shock and pastes that repel birds are
also effective in preventing them from roost-
ing near food establishments. However, elec-
tric wires are expensive and require frequent
inspection and maintenance. Flashing lights
and noisemaking devices have a limited
effect on birds, which soon become accus-
tomed to this equipment. Other techniques
that may be effective if conducted repeatedly
are removal of bird nests and spraying of
birds with water as a form of harassment.
The most effective procedure for eradication
is employment of an exterminator who spe-
cializes in bird control. A professional exter-
minator provides expertise and equipment
required for the safe use of chemicals to
combat birds.
Bird density can be reduced through the
use of commercially available chemical poi-
sons, although these compounds should not
be used inside a food establishment. Strych-
nine has been used in the past; however, its
incorporation is restricted by some local reg-
ulations. Strychnine alkaloid is used at a
concentration of 0.6% to coat baits such as
cereal grains. Dead birds should be removed
so that dogs and cats will not eat them and
suffer from secondary poisoning. Another
compound that controls bird density is
4-aminopyridine. In addition to killing birds,
it causes the affected birds to make distress
sounds and to behave abnormally, thus
frightening away those that remain. Azacos-
terol is a temporary sterilant approved only
for the control of pigeons. A biological con-
trol method such as this offers potential with
less risk than other compounds but provides
only a long-term solution, especially in a
long-lived species such as pigeons. Minimal
intermediate value from this compound is
provided to the sanitarian that must rid a
bird population immediately.
Birds can be controlled through trapping.
Live decoys are required for maximal effi-
ciency. Starlings have been trapped effec-
tively through decoys and an Australian
crow trap. Tunnel traps and sparrow traps
can also be effective. Pigeons can be trapped
with a device containing bars that swing
inward into a trap baited with grain. A
major limitation of trapping is the cost of
labor and materials.
Although frequently used except at air-
ports and large military bases, the employ-
ment of a falconer and trained peregrine
falcons can be effective (Gingrich and Oster-
berg, 2003). When falcons are observed,
other birds leave quickly. This biological
control method is expensive and may require
a falconer to be present for up to a week to
prevent new flocks of birds from occupying
territories occupied by the departed flocks.Use of pesticides
Insecticides should not be sprayed in food
areas during hours of operation. They
should be applied only after the shift, over
the weekend, or at other times when the food
establishment is closed. Precautions should
be taken to ensure against spattering or drift
of the insecticide out of the treatment area
to adjacent surfaces or onto food. Insectici-
dal dusts, which generally contain in dry
form the same toxic compounds present in
sprays, are also available. They require more
skill in application than do sprays and