www.foodtechnology.co.nz 41 Alfred Hitchcock could easily have made a horror film about the impact of bird diseases and avian parasites on humans and the potential damage to the economy emanating from the food and beverage processing industry. It has been suggested that up to 60 diseases are spread by pigeons, starlings and house sparrows. Some examples are histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, salmonellosis, campylobacter and e-coli…and these pathogens are spread by a variety of means including dust from bird droppings and ecto-parasites associated with most bird species. So, other than standing outside taking potshots at the birds that dare to fly over your business, what can be done? The answer is a little complicated than it first appears, and there are a number of factors to consider when selecting the right bird deterrent system for a particular building or plant. Industrial cleaning expert Unique Services says things to consider include the type of bird species involved, location of the company, positioning of ingress and egress, climate conditions, time of day and time of year. ¤ Food Safety Cleaning ¤ Industrial Cleaning ¤ Industrial Painting ¤ Bird Proofing ¤ Building Maintenance ¤ Grounds Care For more information phone 09 2621696 www. u n i q u e s e r v i c e s . c o . n z ¤ Email enquiries to sales@uniqueservices.co.nz ¤ Paul: 0274 864 785 HM073 Unique’s Robyn Schoch says issues of aesthetics and ethics can also limit the choice of solutions. “Consideration has to be taken of the advantages and limitation of some deterrent systems available,” she says. “We are able to offer help and advice on all of them.” An Anti-Roosting Wire System, Pin and Wire or Tripwire consists of a series of parallel wires supported by narrow pins and held under tension by small springs. The advantages include minimal damage to buildings, lasting up to 10 years, and environmentally safe, but this is mainly an anti-pigeon system. Metal spikes are a physical barrier deterrent made up of rows of needles or spikes pointing upwards. The spikes are intended to make it difficult for large birds to land, and are used on horizontal surfaces where birds are known to roost or nest. Advantages of this system include easy installation, a long life span and environmentally safe, but it does tend to collect debris between the spikes and persistent cleaning is required for long-term effectiveness. The third option is Gel Coating Repellent, which is based on gels from either polybutylene or modified vaseline. The tactile properties of the gel are intended to irritate the bird’s feet, but tend to absorb airborne pollutants which causes the gel to harden and become ineffective. This system has a short lifespan of around 18 to 24 months, is difficult to remove and has few advantages. Some other methods used are ‘Scarecrow’, ultrasonic, distress signal, electric wires, toxic perches, trapping or shooting, and poisoning. Are Birds a Menace to You?
1-48 FT June16
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