The inside scoop on installation

By: Chrissy Hansen

ne of the most important components of an effective bird control solution is quality installation. It can take years of experience for someone to truly master this craft. At a recent meeting of pest management professionals (PMPs) in Chicago, expert installers shared challenges and advice:

Apparently, some newcomers enter the profession thinking it’s as simple as stapling a few nets to a two-by-four. They come from different backgrounds: carpentry, roofing, construction, and even landscaping. These are all fine platforms from which someone can transition into bird control; however, they must also understand that there are standards, procedures and best practices that should be acknowledged if they are to achieve any success in the bird control world.

The first challenge that a professional installer faces with a new project is the need to educate the customer in selecting the best solution. A lot of individuals and companies who are experiencing bird infestation know that they want the birds gone, but they don’t understand what it takes to implement a highly specialized bird control solution. The investment can appear intimidating when the customer is not taking into consideration the cost of damage, danger and liability caused by pest birds.

Sometimes an installer will make a thorough recommendation, but the customer will opt for a smaller-scale solution instead. If he chooses to go ahead with a diminished installation, the installer must always make sure that the customer understands that this will decrease the probability of success. However, in these situations, it is common for customers to contact their installer later asking for the full bird control program.

Another challenge is the assessment of the problem and the area:

• What is the bird species?
• What is the bird problem? Nesting birds? Perching birds? Dropping messes?
• What is the composition of the building/landscape?
• What types of surfaces are involved? Stone? Iron? Wood? Stucco?
• Are aesthetics a concern?
• Are there outside factors? For example, does a road need to be closed during the installation process?
• What is the customer’s budget?

All of these factors determine which products will be used, what hardware and tools will be needed, labor requirements, how long the job will take and, of course, how much it will cost. It is crucial to do an evaluation of the project ahead of time to give an accurate estimate, and to be prepared so that the job gets done right the first time.

To overcome these challenges, the installation experts we spoke with have established a strong relationship with Bird-X(a full-service provider that has been in business for almost 50 years). Full-service providers like Bird-X have their fingers on the pulse of the industry, and can provide qualified leads, technical support and competitive pricing to their installation partners. In return, full-service providers gain the advantage of being able to recommend trusted professional installers to their clients. It is this relationship of shared knowledge, resources and skills that results in the highest quality bird control solutions possible. Visit www.bird-x.com to find out more about pest and bird control products and installation information.