By Alex A. Kecskes
More window cleaners are adding bird control to their list of services and doing quite well at it. Add-on services are ideal for all window cleaners. It’s rare to find a window cleaning company that only offers window cleaning service. Most companies offer at least 2 or 3 add-on services. Adding bird control services to a window cleaning company’s offerings can fatten service contracts, especially when the client must comply with public health codes to operate—like restaurants.
One window cleaning service in California, recently added bird control and gutter cleanups to their repertoire of services. They found the add-ons to be lucrative and a real business booster. The company pressure washes gutters and downspouts to clear out leaves and bird debris. The add-on services represent as much as 40 percent of the company’s overall business, with bird control being among the fastest growing areas. The company notes that selling clients on added services is fairly straightforward, since clients who are particular about clean glass want to avoid pest birds and their droppings.
Commercial window cleaning companies are realizing that pigeons and other pest birds can create a messy situation. A single mating pair of pigeons, for example, can quickly turn into a small flock, and in a year or so, they can cover a commercial building with unsightly droppings. To make matters worse, pigeons and many pest birds seem to be attracted to the scent of their droppings.
Pest bird droppings left on windows can carry a variety of diseases. Pigeons, for example, carry Ornithosis (psittacosis), Encephalitis, Newcastle disease, Toxoplasmosis, Salmonella food poisoning and other diseases. More customers are becoming aware of these diseases carried by pest birds, which is why more are asking about effective bird control when they contract to have their windows cleaned.
Besides the health hazards pest birds pose, window washers are hearing from their customers that bird droppings are slippery and can create slip-and-fall hazards, a liability they would rather avoid.
If you want to add a profitable new service to your window cleaning business, consider these two popular bird control products:
Electric-Tracks. Birds get a harmless “zap” the second they land on these electrified bird control tracks. Ideal for most pest birds, these tracks will even discourage seagulls and larger birds from landing on window ledges and rooftops. They are easily installed on any flat or curved surface. The jolt imparted by these tracks tends to permanently "persuade" pest birds to change their habits and find a more hospitable ledge or rooftop. For customers concerned about aesthetics, one of the best electric tracks is a low-profile model that’s virtually invisible from the ground. It measures just 1/2-inch high by 1-3/4-inch wide and comes in 100-foot rolls. The track is available in four colors: grey, stone, black and terracotta. It’s made from a flexible U.V.-protected PVC base that can easily conform to curved or straight surfaces. For added convenience, the track can be powered by an A.C. charger or solar charger. The best electric tracks have a flow-through design to prevent water from damming up around them. Consider offering a corrosion-resistant track, which will stand up to tough alkali and acidic environments.
Bird Spikes. An ideal bird control device, bird spikes prevent birds large and small from landing on rooftops and windowsills. They come in either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. The spikes won't harm birds or work crews. In fact, they've been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service). For customers are concerned about aesthetics, bird spikes come in various colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. They’re easy to install with glue, screws or nails. One manufacturer even offers a no-gap spike that's easy to mount on curved surfaces.
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