Pest Bird Control for Amusement Parks

by Alex A. Kecskes

Amusement parks have always been at the mercy of pest birds. Without an effective bird control strategy, birds can literally take over an amusement park, create a huge expense and contribute to a number of serious health issues. They can also impact a park's attendance. All the more reason to take the problems of pest birds seriously.

While birds may be fun to feed and chase (especially, if you're a kid), bird droppings can create all sorts of problems for theme and amusement park operators. Not the least of these are the slip-and fall hazards bird droppings create--multiplied by countless daily visitors, many of them running--that fill a park's premises every day. The legal liability of a serious fall can be ruinous to a park and its reputation.

Likewise, bird droppings covering benches, chairs, awnings, tables at eateries and rest stops can also affect a park's reputation. In addition, the sight of bird droppings on amusement ride signs, seats and waiting areas will leave a negative impression on visitors. Proper bird control can change that.

Bird droppings can carry any of 60 known diseases, which can create health code violations and result in sick patrons. Even the sight of bird droppings near a park's outdoor eatery can influence a patron's willingness to eat there. A particularly troublesome illness caused by inhaled aerated bird droppings is a disease called histoplasmosis, which is characterized by constant flu-like symptoms.

Bird nests, feathers and droppings can also get into the mechanisms and electrical equipment of rides and attractions. This can cause breakdowns that can endanger riders and operating crews. Breakdowns can be costly in terms of maintenance and repairs, and in lost revenue due to non-operation.

Before attempting any lethal means of control, amusement park operators should contact their local wildlife management office. The other alternative is to use non-lethal bird control measures. These are effective, humane, and can save a park's reputation. Here are a few.
Bird Foggers

These chemical bird control systems use a chemical that irritates a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane. The chemical, a harmless food-grade grape extract called methyl anthranilate, is regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Bird foggers have been successfully used to repel a number of pest birds--including gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and cowbirds. Fogging agents are most effective when they are used at dawn or sunset when birds most often flock together to feed.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Exploiting a bird's fear of natural enemies, Sonic Bird Deterrents broadcast predator and distress calls that make most birds really uneasy. These devices can realistically recreate the sounds of Peregrine falcons defending their territory (a pigeon's natural enemy). Some systems broadcast the sounds of predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack (the last thing starlings and seagulls want to hear while they're eating or feathering a nest). The best sonic bird deterrents can be set up to emit distress and predator calls day and night. Incidentally, these sounds are not annoying to humans or pets. Other sonic systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds, so birds won't get become accustomed to them.

Hawk Decoys—Bird Control Avatars

A natural for amusement and theme parks, Hawk Decoys can be placed just about anywhere pest birds seem to gather and roost. Try to get the most lifelike and intimidating-looking hawk you can. And move the decoys around a lot to prevent pest birds from getting used to them. The best hawk decoys are made of heavy duty plastic and are weather and water-resistant. Some decoys are hollow so you can fill them with sand for extra stability.

Other Visual Deterrents

Another ideal bird control measure for large theme parks, Visual Bird Deterrents take many forms: Flash tape that crackles in the breeze, Banners that snap in the wind, and Balloons that bob and weave in the air. All make pest birds feel really uncomfortable. The best bird scare balloons are made from U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. These bird scare devices are relatively inexpensive and can be scattered throughout a park to achieve high levels of bird control. Just remember to swap them around occasionally to keep the little feathered pests "on their toes."

Sealed out with Netting

There are literally dozens of different places Bird Netting can be used to deny pest birds access in a theme park. Restaurant areas, overhangs, canopies, electrical control areas, storage areas, even dipsy-dumpster areas. Today, bird netting comes in a variety of types and mesh sizes to deter pest birds of various species. For larger birds like pigeons or seagulls, go with a 1-1/8-inch to 2-inch mesh size. For sparrows or starlings, there's a 3/4-inch mesh size. The most durable bird netting is U.V.- stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. You can also get netting in different colors--like white, stone and black so it blends in more naturally with its surroundings. The best bird netting is tough, long lasting and meets or exceeds ISO 1806 protocols.

The Scarecrow gives them a "Persuasive" Reminder

Many theme and amusement parks have beautifully landscaped areas, ponds and flower gardens. Pest birds can wreak havoc with these and leave quite a mess to clean up. The solution? The bird control Scarecrow. The second a pest bird wanders into its zone of protection (about 35 feet out and 45 feet wide), a motion sensor activates the Scarecrow's sprinkler head and whammo--birds get a one, two, three punch of water blast, startling sprinkler sound and realistic looking gaping bird head they won't soon forget. Simple to set up and easy to use, Scarecrows easily connect to almost any garden hose, yet they consume just 2 to 3 cups of water per spray. Best of all the Scarecrow works day and night for up to 6 months--delivering over 1,000 "firings"--on only one 9-volt battery. Scarecrows can even be fine tuned to adjust both their sensitivity and coverage zone.