Anypest Bird Removal
Depending on the type of bird nesting in your home or office, Anypest has a variety of humane and non lethal strategies. Our successful bird proofing jobs mean peace of mind, a longer lifespan for your roof, and less cleaning (particularly windows where bird poop always seems to land). Here are three of the most common birds that Anypest removes from homes in Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Burlington, Toronto and Oakville.
Canadian Geese
Canadian Geese might potentially nest on your property, which can cause serious lawn damage as they poop everywhere. Anypest suggests the following strategies to keep Canadian Geese off your property.
- Never feed Canada geese.
- Clean up spilt seeds under bird feeders that the geese may be after, or remove bird feeders all together.
- Mow your lawn less frequently as Canadian geese prefer tender grass.
- Plant coarse grass, which is unappealing to Canadian Geese.
Canadian Geese might be a national symbol, however their population has gotten out of control. There was quite the controversy around 1997 when it was proposed that Hamilton started trapping these birds and feeding them to the homeless.
Crows and Ravens
When it comes to nesting in your home or business, Crows and Ravens generally aren’t a pest. However they can make messes such us going though your garbage and spreading it around. If crows and ravens become an issue feel free to call Anypest, however there are a few strategies you can implement.
- Buy garbage cans with clamps or locks
- Keep your garbage locked up in a shed, garage, or in the house overnight
- Put your garbage out at the curb in the morning.
- Keep your pet’s food indoors, away from hungry birds
Strange Fact – Both Crows and Ravens like to roll around in ant swarms. This practice is called “anting“.
Crows and Ravens get aggravated if their nest feels threatened and will aggressively dive bomb you if you get to close to their young ones. Crows and Ravens are not the same bird, and Anypest has strategies to deal with each type differently. Crows generally are more social and comfortably live around people. Ravens on the other hand are more cautious around people and have shinier feathers. Ravens are also about one third larger than crows, and sometimes have a mane of feathers around their throat. Crows and ravens are competitors, and you will rarely find both species in the same area. Ravens are found in more heavily wooded areas, and you’ll see them about in the winter, particularly around golf courses. Crows are found in more mixed habitat like areas, and are common in and around small parks. When I was a kid I had a dish washing job at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, and Ravens were a common sight during all seasons. Meanwhile, at my home near Binbrook road and Highway 56, crows are quite visible.
Pigeons
Pigeons are a common site in downtown Toronto, or Hamilton by Gore Park. So many people feed pigeons (often bits of hot dog buns) that it’s impossible to get them off the streets. When they nest in your home or business, they become an even bigger problem as they poop everywhere, and cause structural damage to your roof and walls. Generally they nest in tall buildings where their droppings coat window sills and ledges. The droppings accumulate fast, and are corrosive, which causes erosion to concrete and roofing materials. Pigeon droppings have an unmistakable dirty smell that you customers don’t want to be exposed to as it contains bacteria which may cause health problems.
Seagulls
You should have no trouble identifying Seagulls and they can be quite a nuisance. In Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton, you’ll find Seagulls by lake Ontario so often that stop noticing that they are even there. When you spot one in Westdale, or the Meadowlands in Ancaster, they are much more noticeable, as they are definitely out of place. Seagulls are attracted to parks, schools, malls, or anywhere where people drop food (typically teenagers and young children). You’ll often see dozens of seagulls flying about at the Rockton or Binbrook fair, at the African Lion Safari, or at the golf course where high energy foods like hotdogs, french fries and peanuts are served as seagulls love these foods.
Some people consider it good luck to be pooped on by a seagull, but if you are a small business owner, you’ll probably disagree as your customers may be scared off or disgusted. Anypest has several solutions to humanely deal with Seagulls nesting near your business as well as strategies to keep them away.
There are 44 gull species that are typical in appearance. The most unusual is the lava gull, which has adapted to volcanic islands and is completely black.
Sparrows
There are various types of sparrows, and the most common type in Hamilton is the house sparrow, which is a small bird with a stubby beak. These tiny birds are tough, and how they survive the cruel Ontario winters is impressive. Sparrows eat mostly seeds, and you’ll often see them at your bird feeder happily munching away. For a tiny bird, they are quite aggressive, they can also fit though tiny cracks which makes your home and business quite vulnerable to infestation.
Many people get frustrated with the sparrow as it is an aggressive bird and ends up crowding out native birds. They were initially brought to Canada to control insect populations for better crop growth, but farmers soon realized that the sparrow was eating their crops as well.
The house sparrow is found on every continent except Antarctica.
Starlings
Starlings are the most common bird that nests in residential houses in southern Ontario, typically due to their large population. Starlings are medium sized birds that have black or dark brown feathers and white flecks. The white flecks look like little stars against the contrast of their black feathers (hence the name starling). These birds are highly social, intelligent and live off fruits, seeds and insects. Starlings nest in holes or cavities such as trees, birdhouses, buildings or rock piles.
Common Bird Sense
You’ll have to remember that birds have the same needs that we have: Food, Shelter and Water. While birds may feel like a pest (and might do damage to your home or annoy you), please remember that they are just trying to survive. There are some common things you can do to avoid birds nesting in and about your home, or business.
Limit Food Sources
- Remove bird feeders from your residence.
- If you insist on bird feeders, avoid bird feed containing grain or corn.
- Use black sunflower seeds in feeders, as starlings have difficulty cracking these seeds.
- Feed pets indoors. (sparrows love to eat your dog’s food when he’s off chasing squirrels).
- Protect fruit crops with flexible netting.
- Harvest ripe fruit immediately.
- Remove Water Sources such as bird baths
Limit Shelter Opportunities
- Seal off entry holes to your home with vent covers and wire mesh.
- Install vent guards to deter starlings from entering exhaust vents and dryer vents.
- Thin branches from trees where starlings are roosting to make nesting less appealing.
- Removing the vegetation from walls or draping bird netting over the area.
Pest & Bird-Exclusion Control Solutions
ANYPEST offers a wide range of Bird-Exclusion Control Solutions including:
- netting
- spikes
- screening
ANYPEST Bird-Exclusion Control Solutions will protect your home from wildlife, animals, rodents, mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons and bats from entering your home. Call ANYPEST today for your free quote!
Pest-Birds, Starlings, Birds in Vents, Bird Control, Bird Removal, and Pest Control Services
Pest-Birds cause considerable damage to residential and commercial properties every year. Bird droppings and nesting materials pose a host of physical problems such as bird mites, diseases, and parasites which can be very harmful to humans if not properly controlled, bird control, bird removal, Exclusion Control Solutions, Pest Control Services. ANYPEST offers Bird-Exclusion Control Solutions and Pest Control Services to safeguard your home or business. Damage to air conditioning equipment, industrial machines, insulation, roofs, fascia and soffits, and structural issues are often observed as a result of pest-birds, birds in vents, bird control, bird removal.
Let ANYPEST take care of your pest-bird, bird control, bird removal, Pest Control problem.
Starlings
European Starlings are found all over Ontario. Nesting usually begins in April. Starlings typically lay 4-6 eggs and incubate for 11-13 days. Adults can nest 3 times per year. Known to most as nuisance birds commonly nest in stove exhaust vents, bird in vent, dryer exhaust vents, bathroom fan vents, bird control, bird removal, Exclusion Control Solutions, Pest Control Services.
Nesting areas can accumulate material that is unsightly and could pose a fire hazard. Starlings, Birds in vent, do not remove material from old nest but keep adding year after year. Leaving the pest-bird nest, bird in vent can be dangerous since bacteria, parasites, and bird mites cause serious health risks for your family and home.
Let ANYPEST take care of your pest-bird, bird control, bird removal, Exclusion Control Solutions, Pest Control Services
Bird Mite Infestation
Bird mites are present in humid conditions and breed in spring and early summer. Pest-Birds often nest in vents, exhausts, chimneys, pipes, etc. Bird removal, Bird control, of the pest-bird is the first step. ANYPEST Exclusion Control Solutions can help safeguard your home from future pest-birds carrying bird mites.
DO YOU HAVE A BIRD MITE INFESTATION?
- Pinprick bites with or without lesions
- Vague sensation of crawling on skin
- Frequently intense itching
- Increase of symptoms in certain areas of home or business
- Increase of symptoms at night and humid weather
- Physicians suspect Scabies but treatment is unsuccessful
Bird mites commonly infest bedrooms and bathrooms, but will quickly infest the whole house. Mites will infest carpeting, bedding, furniture, clothing, etc. Some people label bird mites the “creepy crawlies” or “nose ticklers”. The intense itching and irritation on the skin is due to the mite’s saliva. When a large area is covered with bites it will resemble a rash in appearance, and is often mistaken for scabies.