For the first and last word on bird-free dining, we turn to one of Meridian’s own Technicians—he’s also a restaurant manager!
This summer, many of us will enjoy al fresco dining at our favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or brewery. We may grab a quick bite to eat on the patio dining area of a supermarket or specialty food store. We may even be lucky enough to take in the views from a rooftop bistro or waterside diner. Whatever the location, if it’s outdoors, it’s accessible to birds. And if food is present, birds will be interested.
One of Meridian’s Bird Removal Technicians knows a lot about birds and restaurants. Eric B.’s family has been in the restaurant business for years, and Eric himself has worked in food service since he was ten. He currently manages a seafood restaurant in Southeast Missouri. On top of all that, he works for Meridian as a part-time Bird Removal Technician. We sat down with Eric to find out how he juggles work, birds, and keeping his restaurants free from birds.
Meridian Bird Removal: You’re a restaurateur. How did you become a Bird Removal Technician?
Eric B.: I’m an outdoorsman who loves nature. (I think that describes everyone at Meridian!) I’ve been working with the Missouri Department of Conservation for four years now. Part of that is educating people and making sure wildlife is safe. When I saw the ad for a BRT (Bird Removal Technician), I knew this was something I wanted to do.
MBR: What are some of the challenges supermarkets and restaurant owners face regarding birds?
EB: Birds are very opportunistic animals—they’re going to find food wherever they can. Any easy food source is a magnet for birds. Outdoor dining spaces are the easiest for them to get to, and birds outside quickly become birds inside.
MBR: Have you ever had a bird in your restaurant?
EB: I’ve had a bird fly right into my kitchen through the back door when it was briefly open! Fortunately, I had my Meridian gear with me, so I got it out before it caused any problems.
MBR: You didn’t even have to make a service call!
EB: Right? My restaurant has pretty much every safeguard in place and one still slipped past. Working in food service, you do not want birds in your place for long. I knew of a business that actually closed down.
MBR: Tell me about this business. Did it have to close because of birds?
EB: Yes. They kept the doors open year-round, and cooking was done outside in a screened area. But this screened area was not fully enclosed, and the food was then carried into a kitchen where they kept the door wide open for easy access. Birds were flying in and out freely. The health department came in and forced them to close until they built an enclosed passageway. They lost a lot of money while they were doing mitigation, and they were only open a little bit before they shut their doors entirely.
At Meridian, we know birds are a health risk, and if you have a health inspector visiting and a bird is flying in and out, you could be shut down.
MBR: What does your restaurant do to make sure birds stay outside?
EB: We’ve put up some exclusion nets and screened in outdoor dining areas. We can raise and lower screens depending on the sun and time of day when birds are more of a problem. We installed screen doors in the kitchen so we can have ventilation in the summer without opening ourselves up to birds.
MBR: Being a bird-free business owner and a Bird Removal Technician, what tips do you have for keeping eateries free of bird intruders?
EB: My first recommendation is to do what we did: put up screens or otherwise enclose your outdoor spaces.
If you can’t enclose, cleaning needs to be homed in on. Clean up trash regularly on the patio. In the restaurant business, we’re all about cleanliness. Any place with an outdoor dining space should wipe down tables and sweep up as soon as possible after people leave. Birds swoop in wherever there’s food.
Keep trash cans away from outdoor areas. I see many patio dining areas with trash cans for convenience. These will only attract birds. Instead, put them inside by the door and encourage customers to help clean up.
If you have awnings, make sure they’re cleaned regularly and closed up when tables aren’t being used. Birds will not only roost on top of them, they’ll sometimes build nests there.
MBR: Those are good suggestions. Last question: how do you like being a Bird Removal Technician?
EB: It’s amazing! I take pride in all the things I do. Getting to help businesses, plus protecting birds and working with conservation—all these fit hand in hand with my values and Meridian’s.