Pest Management Professional, October 2011

Jeff Holper owner of St Louis based Holpers Pest Animal Solutions has dealt with bird related problems throughout his career Here are a few of Holpers wildest bird control tales Q Whats the largest bird infestation youve battled and howd you win A It used to be a train station Now its a hotel and shopping mall The train shed still exists on the back side of the building where there are parking lots and restaurants The trees around the building were white because of the droppings which smelled significantly and were a hazard to those nearby We looked at netting and other control solutions because the train shed which had a significant steel structure underneath attracted pigeons Starlings and house sparrows also were attracted next to the building We heard about a product that would propel Fog Force into the air I talked to the managers and told them the product should solve the problem or reduce it considerably We installed two machines and it wasnt very long before the trees ceased becoming a haven for bird droppings The pigeons moved out almost immediately The managers budget didnt allow them to install a third machine that would have put us a lot closer to the building but because we rid the main area where the people were walking they were happy with that amount of control We go there monthly to fill the machines We adjust the timers for the different times of year and daylight Usually we adjust the machines to start at 5 30 a m or 6 00 a m They turn off for 20 seconds and turn on for 10 seconds and maintain that cycle Each fogging machine uses about three quarters of a gallon of product each month Q Can you recall the most difficult to find group of birds and how you ensured you got the best of them A Birds were flying around a big warehouse at night At that time it was acceptable to shoot them so we used pellet guns Many times in the middle of the night birds sleep They wake up about 6 30 a m but there are people in the store then I had long nights walking around the warehouse hoping to get an opportunity but didnt until morning Then I could identify them and take them out In that kind of situation if the ceilings not too high you can mist net them which can be effective In some stores the electricity is controlled by a facility in a different state You cant simply tell the guy running the building I need this areas lights turned off so I can mist net the birds You have to crawl up in the ceiling and unplug the lights because if birds see the net theyll go right around it Success will increase significantly if you can capture a live bird behind the net or in a trap pmp Elaine Yetzer Simon a Cleveland based freelancer can be reached at eysimon@ gmail com bird tales Jeff Holper Holpers Pest Animal Solutions Web Exclusive Visit www audioacrobat com play W888jzgW to listen to pmps complete interview with Holper Jeff Holpers Dos Donts Do Inspect everything and determine where the problem is located the type of bird s and building materials Figure out how to reach the birds Do you need a lift and if so how big Know the goal Do the clients want a short term or long term fix Dont Dont solve one problem by creating a different bird problem Dont have too few products in your arsenal Dont automatically do whatever treatment a client requests Know the best course of treatment Elaine Yetzer Simon Contributor 52 October 2011 Pest Management Professional mypmp net