Now that fall is here, how is your business preparing for the upcoming holidays? Cooler temperatures and a surge of traffic for Back-to-School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas means for retail stores, this period is bustling with activity. Store managers are dealing with increased customer traffic and merchandise rotation. The same holds true for distribution centers, food processors, and other support businesses.
However, birds still pose a threat during this busy time, potentially causing damage and disrupting holiday shopping. In fact, we often see a marked increase in bird activity in September. Colder weather and reduced food sources push birds to seek refuge and sustenance indoors, and these birds can damage merchandise, harass customers, and even cause health hazards. So even though you have a lot on your plate, please keep in mind some crucial tips for staying ahead of the birds:
- Keep doors and windows closed
The vast majority of bird entries are through open doors. With increased holiday traffic, the risk of birds slipping through open doors rises. Ensure that all doors close properly and address any issues with automatic doors. Train your staff to keep doors shut when not in use, including roll-up and dock doors. Remember, even a tractor trailer parked against a receiving door doesn’t fully block bird access, as birds can slip through surprisingly small gaps. Birds will also enter through dock plates, so seal up the voids under these as well.
- Place edible merchandise out of sight
Birds are visual feeders, so they will gravitate toward visible food sources. Avoid placing birdseed, dried corn, pumpkins, or pine cones near entrances. Even plastic-wrapped items won’t deter birds if they’re visible. Additionally, non-food items like straw bales and Christmas trees should be positioned away from doors to minimize their appeal as potential bird habitats. Regularly shake these items to dislodge any birds that might be attracted.
- Clean up!
More traffic not only means more open doors—it also means more snacks. Happy holiday shoppers are bound to drop crumbs around entry points. To prevent attracting birds, clean up food crumbs and waste promptly, especially near entrances. Regularly empty trash bins to avoid attracting birds with leftover food wrappers and drinks.
Also, if you haven’t cleaned up any bird’s nests you have in your building, it’s time to do so. Summer nesting season is over, so there should be no more eggs or juvenile birds to worry about.
- Winterize your building
Finally, we highly recommend patching any holes or openings around ductwork, vents, or pipes that lead outside. We have seen birds squeeze through the smallest gaps in insulation or caulking. Have your facilities team seal them up tight. The same goes for refrigeration lines or any ingresses with foam seals. Also, check your rooflines. Are your walls solid up to the roofline? Birds love the shelter of your eaves—if you have broken soffits, birds will find them, nest in them, and leave droppings that can rot your building from the inside.
While September is one of the busiest months for bird activity (and bird removal!) proper preparations can ease the stress of the season.
Have questions? Contact Meridian Bird Removal for an inspection of your building.