Bird Control for Warehouses and Rural Sheds

Why Control Birds in Warehouses and Farm Sheds?

Birds nesting or roosting in warehouses, machinery sheds, and storage areas may seem harmless—but the reality is they pose serious risks to stock, staff, and infrastructure. Common nuisance species such as pigeons, starlings, and sparrows cause:

  • Contamination of stored goods and feed

  • Damage to electrical systems, equipment, and insulation

  • Health and safety risks from droppings and nesting debris

  • Increased fire risk from nests in high places

  • Long-term structural damage from corrosive waste

Whether you manage a commercial warehouse or a rural machinery shed, effective bird control is essential for cleanliness, safety, and compliance.

How Birds Become a Problem Indoors

Warehouses and large sheds provide perfect environments for pest birds: shelter from the elements, ample height for roosting, and nearby food and water sources. Once birds establish a nesting site, they are extremely persistent and return year after year unless action is taken.

A few birds may go unnoticed initially—but they quickly grow into larger, messier colonies. Bird infestations can also spread disease and cause downstream issues with predators like feral cats or foxes drawn to food sources and droppings.

The Impact of Bird Infestations

Product and Stock Contamination

Bird droppings and feathers can contaminate stored feed, agricultural chemicals, machinery parts, packaging, and even livestock. In commercial settings, this can result in rejected stock, regulatory breaches, or health authority intervention.

Equipment and Structural Damage

Birds can damage insulation, HVAC systems, light fixtures, and security cameras. Nests can obstruct gutters, vents, and internal electrical wiring, increasing maintenance costs and downtime.

Health and Safety Risks

Bird droppings are corrosive, slippery, and carry pathogens like Salmonella, Histoplasmosis, and Cryptococcus. In work environments, this poses risks to both workers and livestock—especially in feed and produce storage zones.

Fire Risk

Nesting material is highly flammable, and when birds build nests in light fittings or around machinery, the result can be catastrophic.

What Does an Effective Bird Control Program Look Like?

A successful bird control strategy targets the behaviour and access points of birds, not just the birds themselves. Control needs to be long-term, humane, and appropriate for indoor environments.

Our Recommended Control Methods

Exclusion (Netting & Proofing)

  • Bird-proof netting installed to block access to rafters, beams, and eaves

  • Spikes, wire systems, and mesh barriers to prevent roosting

  • Suitable for sheds, factories, warehouses, and grain storage facilities

Trapping and Removal

  • Targeted trapping of persistent problem birds such as pigeons

  • Humane and legal methods, conducted under appropriate permits

  • Short-term solution paired with exclusion measures for best results

Shooting with Low-Powered Air Rifles and Thermal Scopes

  • Highly targeted method for removing problem birds with precision

  • Utilised in indoor and semi-enclosed environments

  • Thermal scopes allow for accurate, low-light operations

  • Air rifles are quiet and discrete—ideal where noise and disturbance must be minimised

  • Especially effective for controlling small populations or removing stubborn individuals

Acoustic and Visual Deterrents

  • Use of sound, light, and movement-based deterrents where suitable

  • Often used in combination with physical proofing

Cleaning and Sanitation

  • Removal of nesting material and droppings

  • Sanitation of contaminated areas to remove scent trails and prevent return

  • Reduces health risks and prepares site for further control

Routine Monitoring and Maintenance

  • We offer scheduled inspections to monitor bird activity

  • Early intervention prevents re-infestation and limits ongoing damage

  • Custom service programs available for commercial facilities

Return on Investment

The cost of bird control is often far less than the cost of ignoring the problem. Left untreated, birds can:

  • Damage thousands of dollars' worth of stock

  • Compromise your building’s hygiene standards

  • Cause downtime from contamination or equipment failure

  • Trigger compliance breaches and insurance complications

Need Bird Control in Your Shed or Warehouse?

If birds are contaminating your stored goods, damaging infrastructure, or causing a health and safety risk, we can help.

Contact Hunter Feral Control for professional bird control services across rural and commercial properties in the Hunter Valley.

We assess, plan, and implement tailored bird control solutions to keep your site clean, compliant, and bird-free.