Pest Management Professional, March 2014

2014 BIRD MANAGEMENT GUIDE of new products and methodologies Researchers manufacturers and distributors have recognized this business segment is growing exponentially Not only do we see more pest management companies getting involved in bird control but were seeing painting companies window washers awning installers and others joining the ranks Twenty five years ago if a client asked whether there was anything we could do to alleviate a bird problem our response would have been not really Obviously that has changed dramatically in the years since Credentialing Bird Doctor Nationwide has performed a considerable amount of bird proofing for embassies bridges courthouses oil refineries and other high security locations With this our staff undergoes strict scrutiny by Homeland Security and other regulators To work at these locations requires Transportation Worker Identification Credentialing TWIC and Secure Worker Access Consortium SWAC credentialing SWAC cards help to ensure that any contracted personnel and subcontracted labor that access our nations critical infrastructure bridges and tunnels are known safe and threat free Applications are made through the U S Transportation Security Administration TSA Our Bird Doctor Nationwide and Bug Doctor divisions were just awarded two separate contracts for a major bridge project The certifications and credentialing are extensive but the stakes are even greater To register a team of our employees can cost us thousands of dollars for all needed certifications Besides being TWIC and SWAC certified we are required to be certified for scaffolding lifts and U S Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA requirements When it comes to large jobs with the Port Authority and other agencies we are required to have additional safety training with their staff prior to beginning work All this is factored into each of our proposals Architectural specifications We find ourselves constantly looking at architectural plans CAD drawings construction plans and specifications as part of the bird bid process The plans and specifications come in both print and digital formats Stuart and Donna Aust reviewing the plans of a high profile stadium client Tom Greve our director of national sales brought in a project manager from a large construction company to give our sales staff training in reading architectural plans This was extremely helpful as many of our large projects work off architectural plans Weve also become well versed in industry jargon such as the term takeoffs for projects Takeoffs are the exact measurements from the architectural plans in relation to the necessary amount of installed bird deterrents When we receive plans theyre typically a set of specifications that describe the type of bird deterrent system will be installed and a summary of the job This includes detailed specifications of the labor materials and supervision well provide It also identifies how the bird deterrent will adhere to the building structure and specifies about which bird types are being excluded sparrows starlings pigeons Quality assurance QA specification submittals typically include product data information samples of product product handling project conditions and warranty Two common examples of the last include Bird netting shall carry a 10 year warranty against ultraviolet breakdown or The installation shall carry a 2 year guarantee Study the business My advice to those considering adding bird service to their companys offerings is to get educated about what you want to do before you begin Many years ago I made the commitment to learn everything I could about this segment I read whatever I could get my hands on about bird control I contacted distributors manufacturers and even competitors to speak with them and learn as much as possible Like anything else in life if you devote the Continued from page BG19 BG20 March 2014 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net Photo by Fred Miller fmphotofm com