How Are Birds of Prey Used for Pest Control?

Birds of prey are used for pest control in an ethical approach to deter nuisance birds from commercial and public places. This is a historic way of controlling the local bird population, training birds of prey to scare them off rather than harming them.

This month at Pest Defence, we’re going to cover bird of prey pest control – sometimes known as hawking or falconry pest control – in more detail to help you understand the benefits of the service we offer for clients in London and Essex.

Key Takeaways:

• Birds of prey like hawks and falcons offer a humane and natural method of pest control.
• Common nuisance species they can help to deter include pigeons, gulls, crows and starlings, which can all cause damage to property, spread bacteria, and disrupt commercial or public spaces.
• Industries that benefit from flaconry pest control include hospitality, agriculture, aviation, education and warehousing, where cleanliness, safety, and operations are at risk.
• Pest Defence provide expert hawking services across Essex and London, with experienced handlers and tailored solutions for every site.

Which birds of prey are used to deter birds?

Birds of prey for pest control can vary, but they are usually falcons, hawks and eagles that have been trained specially for the task of deterring other birds from the area.

These birds are chosen for their specific characteristics as birds of prey, including:

• Their speed and agility in flight
• Their natural hunting instincts
• Their ability to intimidate other birds

The bird of prey will establish itself as a predator for the area, which triggers other birds to leave and avoid the territory being patrolled.

What types of birds do they scare off?

In a commercial setting, there can be a number of nuisance bird types, including pigeons, seagulls, crows and starlings. These are the most common species as they are typically comfortable around humans and our infrastructure.

Nuisance birds can create a host of problems when they get too close to businesses and commercial operations, chiefly:

• Contamination of food or products
• Damage to structures through nesting and droppings
• General health risks through pests and bacteria
• Disruption of outdoor events

Birds of prey are far superior to traditional deterrents as they are effective at naturally scaring birds away from a site for longer.

Who would need this service?

Commercial businesses and organisations that can benefit from bird of prey pest control include:

• Restaurants and cafes – to prevent interference with outdoor dining areas
• Warehouses and factories – to protect goods and machinery from droppings and nesting
• Office buildings – to maintain a clean and professional appearance to the premises
• Airports – to avoid bird strikes with aircraft
• Agricultural sites – to protect crops and livestock from bird pests
• Schools and universities – to maintain safe environments for staff and pupils
• Sports arenas and stadiums – to prevent the disruption of events for spectators

What are the benefits of using birds of prey for pest control?

There are many benefits to using birds of prey as pest control. Here are just five reasons you should consider this service for your business:

1. It provides a lasting deterrent by triggering a natural fear response
2. It is better for the environment, avoiding chemicals in a non-lethal approach
3. It helps you to avoid disruption to your daily operations
4. It saves you money on tackling recurring bird problems
5. It preserves your reputation as a business as it won’t interfere with customers 

Effective falconry pest control from Pest Defence

As one of the leading experts in bird control for London and Essex, at Pest Defence we have trained handlers and birds. Our bespoke approach will ensure long-term, effective results to keep nuisance birds clear of your site. We can also offer other bird control measures, including bird wire, spikes and netting, as well as pigeon dropping removal.

Talk to us about our hawk pest control service or book a consultation with our experts today.