Ah, nesting season! From April through June in most of North America, birds are getting busy building nests. In these nests they’ll lay their eggs and raise their juveniles. For birds, this is a natural part of the circle of life. But if this happens inside your building, it could spell trouble for you. Here are three facts our long experience with birds and nests have taught us:
1. Birds’ nests are health hazards
We’ve repeatedly said that as attractive as birds are in nature, they present certain dangers around people. Birds themselves can harbor more than 60 types of parasites and pathogens. In a nest, that number is multiplied. If your facility packages, stores, or sells food, nests in your building could be a violation of federal regulations and industry standards.
2. Nest removal may be illegal without a license
In some localities, it can be illegal to remove nests without special waivers, permits, or licensure. Many bird species are federally protected, and even handling nests in certain circumstances (such as when eggs are present) may be prohibited.
Now that Meridian serves all fifty of the United States and its territories, we are familiar with all federal and local regulations involving nests. We also have the necessary licenses and know how to get permits when required. As experts in nest removal, we also take precautions, using PPE (personal protective equipment) during the process and taking every precaution to contain biohazards.
3. Nesting birds will damage your inventory and building
When birds build nests, they use whatever materials are at hand. If birds are nesting in your building, they will use anything and everything they find nearby. We’ve found nests made of everything from packaging paper to insulation to produce items. Once they get into your inventory, the stock may need to be destroyed to comply with health codes. If birds pick at insulation or structural components such as roofing material, they can cause damage to your building. Either way, those are additional costs you don’t need.
Don’t wait to call Meridian
Birds build nests for one reason—to make more birds. You should keep a sharp eye out for bird activity during nesting season. If you see birds pilfering twine, insulation, or packaging material, they may be building a nest. In fact, if you see birds at all, you shouldn’t wait to call Meridian. We understand you may want to wait to make a single call, “collecting” birds for us to manage. Don’t! The longer a bird is inside, the more entrenched it becomes. Getting birds out of your store quickly ensures there won’t be troublesome nests. A bird-free building should be the goal for every conscientious business owner. And Meridian is here to help.