Bird Control and Health Regulations: What Businesses Need to Know
You don’t have birds on your brain? That’s understandable, if they haven’t become a nuisance to your property so far. Unfortunately, birds typically announce themselves by leaving droppings everywhere. That quickly becomes a problem for three reasons:
-
Bird droppings are highly acidic and damaging to your building, inventory and equipment.
-
When droppings dry out, they can become airborne and enter the lungs of employees and customers, potentially transmitting diseases like histoplasmosis.
-
Bird poop sends the wrong message about your business to customers, potentially harming your reputation and profits.
That’s enough to stop anyone in their (bird) tracks. But there are also health and safety regulations that require businesses to keep their facilities free from pest birds like pigeons, sparrows and starlings. Compliance with these regulations is not just your legal obligation, but also a critical step in protecting health and maintaining operational standards.
Health and Safety Regulations You Should Know
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.141(a)(5)
What: This Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard mandates that workplaces must be constructed, equipped and maintained to prevent the entrance or harborage of rodents, insects and other vermin — including pest birds.
Why It Matters: This mandate applies to all workplaces across the United States. Businesses that fail to comply risk penalties, legal action and unsafe working conditions.
Specific Regulations for Food & Beverage Processing, Retail and Foodservice Industries
What:
-
The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), which requires that food be prepared, packed and stored under sanitary conditions to prevent contamination.
-
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which outlines preventive controls for food safety, including pest management.
-
USDA Sanitation Performance Standards, which mandates a pest-free environment in facilities handling meat, poultry, and egg products.
-
FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide Sec 555.600, which addresses contamination of food by pests including birds.
Why It Matters: Are you in food processing, retail or the restaurant industry? If so, the presence of birds can easily lead to contamination and violation of these important regulations.
Bird Control Regulations
You should also be aware of laws governing how your business can address pest birds on your property.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
What: It prohibits harming or removing certain species without a permit.
Why It Matters: Any bird control measures you implement must comply with federal and state wildlife protection laws to avoid fines and legal consequences.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
What: It governs the use of pesticides, including those used for bird control.
Why It Matters: Under FIFRA, any chemical repellents or toxicants intended for bird management must be registered and used according to label instructions to ensure environmental and human safety.
Given the additional regulations around commercial bird control, businesses should work with a licensed pest control provider who offers professional bird control services and is trained in responsible removal practices. But there are proactive steps you can take to try to help prevent birds from making your business their roost (and bathroom).
3 Practical Tips for Safe Bird Prevention
Follow the tips below to learn how to keep birds out of your facility:
-
Keep Food and Trash Areas Clean: Birds are attracted to crumbs, food waste and open trash containers. Regularly clean outdoor dining areas, empty trash bins frequently and make sure lids fit securely.
-
Limit Standing Water: Birds look for water to drink and bathe in. Eliminate puddles, leaky hoses or clogged gutters to reduce this attraction.
-
Report Damage or Gaps Around Buildings: Birds may enter through gaps in roofs, vents or eaves. While specific exclusion methods should be left to the pros, your team can regularly inspect and report any problem areas to your pest provider for prompt attention.
For a deeper dive into effective exclusion strategies and how they can help protect your business, check out Orkin’s free ebook: A Busy Manager’s Bird Control Guide.
When to Call a Professional for Bird Control
There’s a lot you can do to help reduce the risk of bird-related health hazards, property damage and regulatory violations at your property. But you may notice that birds quickly adapt to any deterrent you throw their way. With a pest this smart, it’s best to call in someone who has helped thousands of businesses outsmart birds. Don’t let pest birds put your business at risk. Get a custom bird control plan today with an Orkin Pro™.
