Before any successful bird exclusion, bird control and/or bird deterrent program can take place, there are several steps that must be performed. For starters, the target pest bird species must be identified. Generally, there are four types of pest/nuisance birds, also known as: (1) Feral Pigeons, (2) English or House Sparrows, (3) European Starlings and (4) Sea Gulls. After the target pest bird is properly identified, the pest bird's unique biology, habits and behavioral patterns must also be considered. This step is critical because the exclusion method for each pest bird varies tremendously. Not only is properly identifying the correct target bird species paramount to successfully eradicating pest bird populations, non-target bird species, other types of animals and human inhabitants must also be identified because care must be taken not to cause harm to any of these non-target species.

Next, the bird-infested area/structure must be analyzed over the course of several days and at varying times. It is of utmost importance to determine whether the target bird(s) are just landing on the said area temporarily, or whether the target bird(s) are roosting and/or nesting in said area(s). This step can only be conducted properly by inspecting the site over the course of several days at varying times. In addition, all of the areas where target bird(s) may seek shelter from the elements must be taken into account. Considering additional shelter areas is also important because you do not want the bird exclusion, bird control and/or bird deterrent system that is installed to move the pest bird(s) to another location on the target site. Moreover, the surrounding areas must also be studied in order to evaluate food and water sources, additional shelter and nesting areas.

After all of the bird and site criteria have been fully evaluated, all of the area(s) on the target site where the bird(s) are landing, roosting and/or nesting must be identified. Part of this inspection must also include the identification of several additional factors: (1) the pest bird's activity that is and/or has caused the problem, i.e. nesting activity causing blocked drains, accumulated droppings and/or birds trapped in HVAC units and related equipment, (2) previous failed exclusion measures and (3) structural deficiencies in the building that could allow birds to penetrate the building and/or the bird exclusion system. Next, aesthetics, financial constraints, long term effectiveness, site and surrounding area data and the level of bird pressure must be considered in designing the appropriate bird exclusion system(s) for the target site.

How the bird exclusion, bird control and/or bird deterrent is accomplished is only limited by the imagination of the bird specialist. The overarching goal that must be considered is to exclude, control, and/or deter the target bird(s) without damaging the aesthetics or the structure and to reduce the bird threshold to an acceptable level. Bird exclusion, bird control and bird deterrent is an art. Not only does the bird exclusion, bird control and/or bird deterrent system installation have to be effective, it must also be beautiful to the eye. As such, often less is more. There is no single bird exclusion, bird control and/or bird deterrent device that remedies every bird problem.