Use A Bird Feeder With A Tray

Bird feeders can invite a variety of wildlife to your garden, including unwanted pests such as rats. However, employing a bird feeder with a tray can significantly reduce the risk of attracting these rodents.

The tray functions as a physical barrier, catching any loose seeds that otherwise might fall on the ground. It’s these scattered seeds that often attract rats, as they provide an easy food source. Therefore, a feeder with a tray helps maintain a cleaner feeding area, making your garden less appealing to rats.

Avoid Using Ground Feeders

When it comes to feeding birds without attracting unwanted rodents such as rats, it is crucial to refrain from using ground feeders. Ground feeders, as the name suggests, dispense bird food at ground level, effectively turning your garden into an open invitation for rodents. Rats, being scavenger creatures, are particularly attracted to the easily accessible meals provided by ground feeders. This not only increases the risk of rat infestation in your garden, but it can also have a detrimental effect on the health of birds due to potential disease transmission.

Choose The Right Kind Of Birdseed

Certain types of birdseed attract rats more than others. For example, sunflower seeds are high in oil and fat and are a favourite of rats. Instead, opt for birdseed mixes that contain millet, cracked corn, and Nyjer seeds. These seeds are less appealing to rats but are still nutritious for birds. You should also avoid overfilling the bird feeder as this can lead to an excess of seeds on the ground which can attract rats.

Keep The Feeding Area Clean

To minimise the risk of attracting rats, it’s important to keep the feeding area clean. Any spilled seed should be removed promptly, and the bird feeder should be cleaned regularly. Make sure to use a rat-proof bird feeder or rat baffle to deter squirrels from raiding your bird feeder.

Use Natural Deterrents

There are natural ways to deter rats without using harmful chemicals. For example, planting mint, lavender, or rosemary around the feeding area may repel rats as they dislike the smell. Another option is to place dried chilli peppers around the area, as rats dislike the spicy smell. Lastly, you can also use ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency sound waves to repel rats.

Contact Willis Pest Control

At Willis Pest Control we are specialists in providing expert pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with rats, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call on 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

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Fleas

Fleas are common anytime in the year; however, autumn is one of the more peak months for flea infestations. This is because there is a lack of attention from pet owners, making fleas more likely to build up on your pet’s fur. Fleas also enjoy colder temperatures and thrive when it is cooler, making them become more of a problem at this time of year. During colder times in the year fleas are able to complete the natural life cycle in just a few weeks with them typically laying 30 to 50 eggs in one day. Eventually you can end up with millions of these pests. Since there are more leaves in the autumn time fleas are more likely to hide in the leaves and easily jump onto pets. Fleas can also easily hide in your carpet and jump on your pets this way as well.

2. Squirrels

During autumn squirrels start to look for hiding places to nest and to hibernate. During these months squirrels are less likely to be in your garden and the likelihood of them nesting in your loft increases. During the autumn months squirrels start to look for food in time for the winter months, this is why you see squirrels mostly in the autumn time. Grey squirrels specifically like to enter lofts where then can easily cause expensive damage, especially if they start chewing through electrical wires which can cause a fire risk. It’s always good to check weekly if any squirrels are hiding in your loft during the autumn months just in case, and if they do appear at any time, we are just a phone call away.

3. Spiders

In the autumn months spiders are more common than other times in the year. This is because they are looking for warmth and light, the only thing to do is to seal every gap and keep your windows shut. Spiders don’t normally pose any sort of threat, but they are a common fear. During the autumn months the spider mating season starts, this typically starts in early September and ends in the middle of October. The good thing about spiders is that they eat other insects such as ants, flies, mosquitos and beetles. Spiders are also able to control pests eating crops by eating their eggs.

Contact Willis Pest Control for Pest Removal

At Willis Pest Control we are specialists in providing expert pest control solutions across Birmingham and the Midlands. For help in dealing with Pests, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert Willis Pest Control team, give us a call on 0121 588 5258 or 07305 518033.

The post Which Pests are Most Common in Autumn? appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

That being said, another type of pest that some people don’t find as revolting is birds. For example, pigeons can get inside a building, and most people won’t pay them any mind. Some might even feed these birds and encourage them to keep returning.

However, just like any other pest, birds can be a nuisance and even a health hazard. They get into places where they shouldn’t and can leave behind waste that contaminates surfaces. They can also damage your property in several ways, and we’ll go over the many problems they bring in the sections below.

1. Damages your building and equipment

Birds can damage your building in many ways. For instance, they can destroy your supplies, contaminate your property, get stuck inside machinery, and generally leave a mess of droppings and feathers in their wake. As a result, you end up having to spend money to clean up after the birds or replace whatever they destroy.

Birds disrupt your business processes and can directly damage your building, too. They can dislodge the tiles on your roof, break away insulation, and block drains with their nests. Even their droppings can slowly eat away at your walls and roof. In any case, these problems can cause a wide array of issues in your property. In the worst cases, they can compromise the structural integrity of your building, which can put the safety of you and your employees at risk.

2. Hurts your reputation

Birds can hurt your reputation, too. A severe bird infestation, for example, can cause you to fail health and sanitation checks that may force you to suspend operations or close down temporarily.

If you allow the birds to continue wreaking havoc in your business, the health and safety of your team will also be put at risk. For example, droppings can cause someone to slip and get injured. Birds are also known to carry certain diseases that can get your staff members sick and prevent them from completing their work. These problems, especially when compounded on top of one another, can make you fail inspections and ultimately damage your company’s image.

Conclusion

Birds can cause you to lose money in many different ways. You’ll have to deal with the problems they leave behind and find ways to keep them from coming back, both of which will take considerable money and time.

That being said, it is still vital that you put resources into getting rid of birds in your commercial property. You can find your own ways to deal with them, but the most effective course of action is to look for professional pest control services in your area.

That way, they can inspect your property and determine the severity of your pest problem. From there, you can work together to find the most practical solutions to eliminate the pest and prevent them from coming back.

Are you looking for local pest control experts in West Bromwich to bird-proof your commercial building? Willis Pest Control can offer you the solutions you need to keep your company pest- and bird-free. Get in touch with us today!

The post 2 Ways Birds Hurt Your Business and How to Get Rid of Them appeared first on Willis Pest Control.

When birds decide to build their nests or reuse your property multiple times, you have to seek the expertise of your local pest control company right away. To help you prevent issues that could result from birds choosing to make your facility their home, here are some common areas that you should be checking on a regular basis:

Roofs

Birds are attracted to spots in your property that offer protection and easy access to food. Pigeons and house sparrows, which are the most common bird species considered as pests, have a diet that includes grains, tree and plant buds, fruits, seeds, and flowers. They also use grass, feathers, straw, sticks, stems, leaves, and other debris to build their nests.

The ledges and lines of your roof and even rooftop equipment are common roosting places for birds since they give them the best view when searching for food and seeking shelter from predators. When left unaddressed, bird droppings and nesting materials can cause clog drains and vents that can result in roof damage over time. Call experienced pest control professionals as soon as you notice the presence of birds in your roof.

Signages

Signages in your commercial establishment are vital to make your business easily recognizable. Since they are commonly used by birds for roosting and nesting, make sure they are well-maintained. Otherwise, the presence of birds can turn away potential customers due to an unsightly appearance of their droppings and nesting materials. Reach out to experts immediately to have the birds removed from your facility safely.

Parking lots

Parking lots in your property provide your employees and visitors with convenient access to your establishment. It’s important to keep it as clean and as safe as possible, which means it should be free from creatures, such as birds. 

If you happen to see birds flying in your parking lot, this could mean that they are roosting within the area. Address this issue right away to keep people using your property out of harm’s way.

Dumpsters

When other food sources are scarce, birds are more likely to feed on garbage. To keep them away from your facility, discourage their attraction, and reduce access to your trash, make sure your dumpsters and outdoor garbage cans are cleaned and emptied regularly. 

Open doors

When left ajar or open, doors can become the easiest point of access of birds to the inside of your building. This could disrupt your day-to-day operations or turn customers away. Give your target audience a hassle-free customer service by keeping your place of business bird-free.

Conclusion

Bird-proofing your building or home is essential for the safety and convenience of everyone who has access to your property. Hire a company that specializes in bird control to prevent or remove birds in your area and manage bird pressures at your facility immediately.

When you have pesky pest problems, you can always count on Willis Pest Control for help. As professionals in pest control in Birmingham, we can handle various pests – birds, squirrels, bees, rats, wasps, and more. Book our services now!

The post Keeping Birds Away: 5 Spots at Your Property to Look Out For appeared first on Willis Pest Control.