Bird Control FAQs Are the products offered safe and humane?
Yes, all products we install are safe and humane to use for preventing birds from landing and nesting. Most products we install are commonly suggested by animal rights groups such as PETA, and recommended by ornithological and wildlife specialists as effective ways to deter birds.
Pigeons are nesting under the eaves of my house where one roof overhangs another. How can I get them to leave?
The feral pigeon, a relative of the homing pigeon will fight to reclaim an area where they have nested in the past. In some instances the pigeons may have been born there & knows no other home. The only guaranteed way to keep them from coming back is to physically exclude them with screening. The screening must be firmly attached to the perimeter of the area, or else the pigeons will manage their way back in; they are very persistent. Permanently affixed to the building, it is impossible for pigeons to re-nest in screened areas. Additionally, the screen can be painted to match the color of your home, making it aesthetically pleasing.
What are pest birds?
Three species of birds are commonly labeled as “pest birds” in the United States, the Feral Pigeon, the English Starling, and the House Sparrow, all of which are invasive, non native species. Other species such as Grackles, Canadian Geese, Swallows, Cormorants, Seagulls and Crows have been hailed as common pest birds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife department, “Any bird, a cardinal, chickadee or dove, can become a "problem" when it does something unpleasant. What's unpleasant depends on what the bird is doing, and how you react.”
Aren’t birds protected?
There are currently over 800 species of birds protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Treaty basically prohibits people from pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing or selling protected birds. The statute does not discriminate between live or dead birds and also grants full protection to any bird parts including feathers, eggs and nests. That being said, it is perfectly legal to use bird deterrents to protect your property from pest birds, as long as you are not harming the bird, or disturbing an active nest. See a detailed list of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Act provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Do birds carry disease?
Yes, birds do carry over 60 diseases transmittable to humans. Bird roosts and nests can also host ectoparasites, like bird mites.
According to the Center for Disease Control:"Although birds can spread germs to people, illness caused by touching or owning birds is rare. To best protect yourself from getting sick, thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with birds or their droppings."
People are most at risk when they are constantly being exposed to bird droppings. The CDC notes that some are more susceptible to contracting diseases than others "Some people are more likely than others to get diseases from birds. A person's age and health status may affect his or her immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick. People who are more likely to get diseases from birds include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS, and people being treated for cancer."
For more information, visit: Healthy Pets on the CDC website.
How can we keep birds off the roof-top air conditioning area on our commercial/residential building?
Netting can be installed over any A/C system to permanently exclude birds from the area. If pigeons are getting under an A/C unit that sits on a frame, we can exclude birds by closing off the under side with our heavy duty screen. If the system is installed in a recessed area, the netting can simply be installed over the parapet. When properly maintained, the net will last for about 5 years.
How can I get behind netting to access A/C unit(s) once it is installed?When access to the netted area is required, larger areas can be fitted with a zipper, most applications use a turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is loosened by unscrewing it, reducing the tension in the cable. Once the cable is no longer taut, the net can simply be lifted over the application site, allowing homeowners and/or service techs access. Once access is no longer needed it is imperative the net be put back in place and the cable snugged up via the turnbuckle. Failure to properly affix netting as it was originally installed can result in nesting by a new flock of pigeons and dropping accumulation.
Do scare tactics like scary eye balloons, and plastic owls, actually work?No. Although sold by many retailers and bird control companies, these items are ineffective. Initially (about a day or so), the birds may respond to the presence of a plastic owl, snake, scary eye, etc. However, once the pigeons realize the “deterring” object does not move, they resume normal activity. In fact, many of these objects have directions printed on the bottom, instructing the user to move it at least once a day
I've heard of spreading sticky gels on ledges and peaks. Is this a good way to keep pigeons from making a mess on my home/business?
Although these products have been used for the past couple of decades, these sticky products cause more problems than they address. First & foremost, these gels are very sticky & are hard to remove from buildings (especially when applied to a porous surface like roofing tile or ledges). Due to their nature, the sticky gels attract & collect dust, pollution & other airborne debris, making a huge mess. There are few options to clean this gel up & almost always leaves the treated ledges & roofs stained with what becomes black gunk. The sticky gunk also poses all sorts of problems for contractors and/or maintenance workers who may need roof or ledge access. In warmer climates, gels have been known to drip off ledges. Finally, gels are generally not guaranteed for more than a few months, at best, a short term solution. We are committed to offering a more effective, long term, aesthetically pleasing solution such as spikes or netting, depending on the area.
Why not use poison to eliminate birds?
When poison is administer via a tainted food source. Birds from the surrounding area are attracted. Once a bird eats the tainted food, it becomes violently ill, this is evident to the other birds, who will steer clear of the tainted food. Birds who have ingested the poison rarely expire at the poisoning site. This leaves infinite possibilities as to where the carcass ends up. Unfortunately, cases of humans and domestic animals who have had contact with tainted birds becoming ill and/or dying have been documented.
How can I get behind netting to access lights or equipment once it is installed?
Zippers can be hog-ringed into the netting allowing panels to be removed, doors to be opened, or light bulbs to be changed. We install high-grade marine grade zippers which can withstand years of sunlight, and remain very functional. 2). Another option is to install the perimeter cable with open hooks, which will actually enable you to remove the entire net system and then replace it.
What's the best way to keep pigeons off the upper ledge (parapet) of my building?
When you say parapet we assume it's unprotected (no shelter overhead), and thus not a "roost" or "nesting site" for pigeons. You can use birdwire, spikes or bird-shock systems depending upon considerations such as visibility, cost, and ease of installation to keep unwanted pigeons from landing. All of these systems are non-lethal. For light to medium pressure we generally recommend the birdwire Which is stainless steel and will last for many years.
I've seen ads for ultrasonic noise and bird distress call devices, do these work?
Like the question above regarding plastic owls and other scare devices, these products can work " sometimes" for a short period of time, but hardly ever solve the large-scale problems they are advertised for. They can be somewhat effective in some situations, but largely we believe they are not worth the investment. We've seen pigeons nesting right next to such devices. If you want to give them a try, please make sure you buy from a reputable company that offers a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
Is trapping a good way to get rid of birds that are doing their business on my building? Trapping is definitely an effective way to remove specific birds that are causing you problems, But, this should not be considered a long-term solution. If birds are trapped, they literally have to be euthanized, otherwise they will return (remember, pigeons are descendants of homing pigeons). If birds are trapped and euthanized, other birds will simply move in because the situations that attracted your old birds still remain. We recommend permanent exclusion products. You may save more money in the long run by installing permanent products than paying to trap your pest birds on a monthly basis.
I've got a large airplane hangar with lots of beams and pipes which seem to attract lots of pigeons. They're making a mess on our customer's airplanes, and that's causing all sorts of health problems and damaging the paint on the planes. I hung one of those scary eyes balloons from one of the beams and it made no difference. What can we do? You can either spend lots of money and install ledge products ledge where the birds perch, or you can install net under the entire ceiling, excluding birds from flying up to their old familiar perches. The use of a sonic system can also be used to scare birds from a hangar. Greenforce actually specializes in large commercial netting applications like yours, so please contact us and we'll get a service person out to give you a free quote on what we can do for you.
Pigeons land on the peaks of our roof and make a horrible mess on the ridge line. What can we do? Our roof is not very steep, so I'm worried that if we spend money protecting the ridge that they might just move on to other parts of the roof.
Can I use an ultrasound machine, fake owl or rubber snake to get rid of nuisance birds? : Purdue University has studies these units and devices and have found them not to be effective.
Does Greenforce offer programs to treat Pigeons? Starlings? Sparrows? Absolutely! Greenforce is a full service bird control and exclusion company.
I have a lot of pigeon droppings around. Can I clean it up myself? It is not recommended. Pigeon droppings carry many diseases that can be harmful. You should call a professional that has all the correct safety equipment. Greenforce specializes in bird dropping and nest material removal.
I don't want to kill the birds, just get rid of them. Can it be done without killing them? By knowing the natural instinct of the bird you want to control, you can effectively interface their basic biological needs and use mechanical devices to rid them from the area.
Birds often fly into our window. What can I do? You need to cover the window from the outside so they don't see their reflection and won't crash into your window. Netting placed outside is best.
How long will it take to get rid of the birds? And will the birds go away on their own? The answer is site specific and depends on the level of pressure on site. But normally, birds are very committed to their nesting and/or roosting sites (they consider this area home).
Where can I find information on Bird Flu Lots of information is available on the internet or check out this government website - http://www.pandemicflu.gov One-stop access to US Government avian and pandemic flu information. ... Flyway map demonstrates how migratory birds blanket North America.
Sparrows - frequently asked questions
Sparrows are nesting and roosting on beams, pipes and other hard to reach areas in our warehouse; how can we keep them out? Keep your doors closed. If that is not possible, then you really have only two viable options: 1) install netting under the entire ceiling, making sure it firmly seals up against the four walls. This will prevent sparrows from flying up to their perches. The netting must be 3/4" mesh, otherwise the sparrows will fly through the net. 2) If your warehouse is very large and you cannot afford a program as outlined above, you can undertake a program of trapping, harassment and regular nest removal program. Sparrows are persistent birds, however, and most will simply try and try again, and you will end up contributing many man hours to this task, which may cost you more than a solid netting job in the first place.
I've seen sparrows, or some small bird, flying into cracks in our building. Should I be worried, and what can I do about it?
You probably have a family of sparrows living somewhere in your building, probably above a false ceiling. Yes, you should be concerned; the birds need to be removed, and the cracks where they are entering must be repaired. You could contact your contractor or we can do the repairs for you.
Every spring swallows build mud nests on our house under the eaves. They leave a mess on the walls and on the ground. What can we do?
First of all, those cute little swallows are protected; it is illegal to remove their nest once they are able to enter it and stay. As you have noticed, they like to nest in 90 degree angles, usually where a wall meets an overhang or ceiling. After the birds leave in the fall you need to remove the nests and install netting in a 45 degree angle to eliminate the 90 degree angle they love so much. You must use the smallest mesh (3/4") and make sure that you seal off every entry point. Please be sure you do it right after they leave, and not as they are attempting to reclaim their home next spring. If the net is in place when they first arrive they will get the message that they should move on. But, if they are allowed to start rebuilding before you hose down their nest and install netting, they will be more inclined to fight to stay.
Starlings absolutely invade the front of our office building, leaving behind lots of nasty droppings. There are lots of ledges and window sills for them to land on. What can be done to deter them?
Starlings and other small black birds are very difficult to control with conventional ledge products, with the exception of Bird-Shock. The electrical pulse teaches the birds a lesson not to come back. A more complete solution is netting to exclude flocks of starlings from landing on hundreds of buildings like yours. The netting is installed vertically down the face of the building (we call it "face" netting). It is secured by a strong perimeter cable, and will usually provide at least a ten-year solution. People often ask whether this means you would have netting run in front of your windows, and the answer is yes. But, the net is very thin, and when it's installed correctly (tight as a drum) it is almost impossible to detect. And, if you need access behind the net, zippers can be installed.
Black Birds - frequently asked questions
How can I keep black birds out of trees? They seem to come every year in the fall and make a horrible mess on the benches and ground under the trees.A: Trees are very hard to protect from birds that migrate, or "attack" at certain times of the year. The only 100 percent solution is netting. Netting can be installed over a tree and removed after the threat has gone, and re-used for years to come, assuming the tree is trimmed to nearly the same size every year. In agricultural settings, there has been some success with a helium balloon/nylon kite combo that hovers above a trouble area and mimic's a large bird of prey. These have been known to eliminate birds from up to 26 acres per kite. As with all visual scare devices sometimes they work and sometime they don't.
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window cleaning - gutter cleaning - Window Cleaning - Gutter Cleaning by Mr. Window Cleaner
Situated in San Fransisco, Greenforce offers services in San Francisco County, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo, San Jose, Marin and adjacent localities. The inception of Greenforce was triggered by the founder's keen concern for trustworthy cleaning services utilizing green cleaning materials.
The worker-owners at Greenpeace are skilled cleaning experts. Hence, we continually come up with secure and efficient cleaning products through constant research. We are insured, licensed and bonded. We have been serving the Bay Area with cleaning solutions since 1993.
Among our satisfied clientele we have Marriot Hotels, Polo Ralph Lauren and Starbucks as well as esteemed individuals like former Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Our constant endeavor is to ensure a clean and fresh environment applying techniques that are secure for our clients, our surroundings and us.
Are you insured?
Yes, we carry liability, Workers’ Compensation, and professional liability policies, and our crews are also bonded.
How often should I clean my windows?
We highly recommend that you clean your windows a minimum of once a year to prevent glass degradation and to maintain your windows' luster.
What is Glass Degradation?
Over time, glass may become infused with contaminates such as oxidization, hard minerals, acid rain and overspray (paint, caulking, etc.).
Since glass is porous, these pollutants settle into the surfaces' grooves and valleys. In order to prevent permanent damage, one needs to clean the glass regularly.
Can you remove paint/varnish from my windows?
Yes we can! We have a process by which we can safely remove material, such as paint, varnish, caulk, concrete, stucco, stickers, and sheet rock from windows. This does take longer and is not included in the normal estimate; This would be considered a post-construction cleaning.
How long does it take?
Depending on services ordered, appointments may last anywhere from 1 hour to all day, or longer. When making your appointment, you can ask for an approximation of the appointment length.
How much will it cost?
This is determined on a case by case basis. Cost is generally calculated by services rendered and length of time. We offer a free, no obligation, estimate before each job. Fill out the Free Estimate form or call or e-mail us for more information.
Can I make an appointment on-line or via e-mail?
For the most up to date appointment availability, you should make all appointments over the phone. However, feel free to contact us through e-mail, as well. Check the Contacts link for more information.
Do you have weekend appointments available?
We do not regularly schedule window cleaning appointments on weekends. However, if there are very special circumstances, we occasionally schedule jobs on Saturdays. Give us a call so that we can discuss your individual situation.
IIs it possible for you to clean windows that appear foggy?
If the fog lies in between two separate window panes, then we would not be able to clean it; the seal may be broken. Contact your window manufacturer and check if your windows still have a valid warranty.
Is it necessary for me to be at home during the window cleaning?
If you wish to be home during the window cleaning, we're happy to schedule an appointment which suits your schedule. However, it is not always necessary for you to be home for the entire appointment. We can start on the interior window cleaning and you can lock up your home and leave while we continue on the exterior, as long as your screens pop out. In cases of vacancies, your presence is optional but not necessary, as long as access is provided.
Do you supply your own equipment?
Yes, we provide our own supplies and equipment.
What happens if it is raining the day we have our job scheduled?
Our window cleaners do not clean windows in the rain due to safety concerns. If it is raining the morning of your appointment, we will notify you to let you know that the job has been cancelled that day, and we can reschedule your appointment to another available day and time. Please allow our professionals, with 13 years experience in the industry – to make the determination about cancellation.
Will you call me to remind me that I need my windows cleaned?
If you would like to be put on a regular schedule for service or a reminder schedule list, please call or e-mail the office. We normally call annually to schedule the minimum maintenance cleaning.
Do you make a lot of noise?
Certain services, such as pressure washing, may make a lot of noise while other services, such as window cleaning, make very little noise. If you are trying to make the appointment around a nap schedule or other noise sensitive times, please let us know. We may be able to complete that portion of the project before or after the nap time starts.
Glass is actually a type of stone -- a porous substance that requires substantial maintenance to keep its sparkle and its protective qualities.
Glass that is not regularly cleaned can often become stained. Staining left untreated can turn to corrosion (mineralization) and may require costly restoration or in many cases complete glass replacement.
Most experts recommend at least annual maintenance cleaning.
Since 1993 our teams have been offering window cleaning and pressure washing services tothe SF Bay Area .
Glass is in fact a kind of stone -- a permeable substance which calls for considerable maintenance to preserve its shine and protective features.
In absence of regular cleaning glass frequently becomes stained. Stains when left unattended may lead to corrosion (mineralization), ultimately necessitating expensive reinstatement and often total replacement.
Most professionals recommend maintenance cleaning minimum once in a year.
We have been providing pressure washing and window cleaning solutions to the SF Bay Area since 1993.
Our staff is screened and trained with many years experience in the Bay Area; References available upon request.
In order to clean glass, our experienced window cleaners utilize only squeegees and specific tools. So, you can completely be free from streaky appearances caused by spray chemicals and paper towels.
For glass cleaning, we solely use Eco-friendly soap which protects our environment as well as protecting your exterior plants, flowers, trees and landscaping. Greenforce purchases carbon credits to offset our fleet gas usage.
In case your windows need added attention like paint removal or post manufacture polishing, kindly bring the same to the notice of our estimators.
As our service demand is high, we would suggest you to schedule a couple of weeks in advance.
We provide Window Cleaning and Pressure Washing services to te SF Bay area including:
San Francisco, South San Francisco, Daly City, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Jose, Alameda, Oakland and Marin.
