Bird activity is more than a nuisance on industrial sites, it can lead to delays, safety hazards, contamination, and regulatory complications. In high-stakes industrial environments like energy, construction, oil and gas, and environmental services, proactive bird control is critical.
This guide outlines what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a strategy that holds up in tough, dynamic conditions. We emphasize humane, non-lethal solutions that respect wildlife while protecting operations.
The Real Risks Birds Pose on Industrial Sites
Equipment damage: Droppings corrode surfaces, while nests clog vents and machinery, leading to equipment failure.
Health and safety hazards: Slippery walkways from droppings and exposure to bird-borne diseases compromise worker safety.
Delays and shutdowns: Protected birds nesting on scaffolding, signage, or equipment can bring projects to a halt due to wildlife protection regulations.
Increased maintenance and compliance costs: Frequent cleaning, environmental inspections, and mitigation efforts drive up operational costs.
Research from the journal Avian Biology shows that nest survival rates drop significantly near high-use oil and gas infrastructure, reinforcing the need for site-level deterrence strategies to reduce avian attraction and stress.
Real-World Examples
- In 2021, Trans Mountain was fined after workers destroyed an Anna’s hummingbird nest and egg between Burnaby and Langley. The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) determined the company had failed to properly train and supervise its contractors, violating federal bird protection laws. A few weeks later, a second violation occurred involving an American robin’s nest, along with two additional near-miss incidents. Environment and Climate Change Canada responded by halting construction along the Brunette River – a delay that lasted four months. Although the original fine was $88,000, it was later reduced to $4,000.
- In 2022, a red-breasted sapsucker nest led to the closure of a 400-meter section of the Trans Mountain pipeline near Chilliwack, B.C. Buffer zones were established and construction was halted until late August, when the nesting season was over and the site could be cleared of active nests. While no specific fines were issued for this delay, it contributed to the project’s broader timeline shift, pushing the completion date into the third quarter of 2023.
These penalties, though minor financially, are outweighed by the broader costs of bird-related disruptions, from delays and rescheduling to reputational damage and regulatory overhead. Time spent on paperwork, legal reviews, and agency coordination can strain even well-managed projects. While not every incident is fully preventable, many are likely avoidable with better planning around nesting season and more proactive bird control designed for industrial settings.
Why Industrial Sites Are Especially Challenging
- Constantly changing layouts and temporary structures make permanent solutions impractical.
- Mobile equipment, scaffolding, and containers move frequently, limiting the use of spikes or netting.
- Dust, vibration, and harsh weather reduce the effectiveness of fragile or static deterrents.
- Sites are often remote or under tight operational timelines, making maintenance-heavy solutions unfeasible.
What Doesn’t Work Long-Term
Plastic owls and decoys: Birds quickly learn these are fake and ignore them.
Sound systems: Wind and ambient noise in open industrial zones distort or mask deterrent sounds.
Spikes or netting: Difficult to deploy on temporary or mobile infrastructure; time-consuming to install, remove and re-deploy.
Chemical repellents: Often restricted near sensitive equipment or water bodies, and require frequent reapplication.
Industrial Bird Control That Works: Durable, Visual Disruption
Effective bird deterrents for industrial settings:
- Use movement, reflection, and unpredictable shifting to confuse and repel birds.
- Are built to withstand UV exposure, rain, dust, and strong winds.
- Can be deployed across diverse areas: equipment yards, fencing, rooftops, walkways, and over water.
These deterrents work by disrupting flight paths and removing comfortable perching or nesting spots.
Why Rise Tape Works for Industrial Environments
Rise Tape is specifically engineered for demanding sites:
- Weather-resistant and durable: High breaking strength and resistance to UV, wind, and dust.
- Quick to deploy and redeploy: Easily installed, removed, and repositioned as site layouts change during different project phases.
- Versatile deployment: Easily spans large areas including fences, scaffolding, and tanks.
- Non-invasive: Requires no drilling or heavy equipment; minimizes disruption.
- Reusable and low-maintenance: Ideal for remote sites or those with limited staff.
- Wildlife-safe and environmentally compliant: Aligns with most environmental guidelines.
Best Practices for Using Bird Deterrents on Industrial Sites
- Install early: Prevention is cheaper and easier than relocation after nesting begins.
- Maximize movement and visibility: Use fluttering, reflective materials to disrupt bird behavior.
- Rotate and adjust when needed: Some deterrents need periodic repositioning to stay effective, but options like Rise Tape often maintain deterrence without frequent changes due to their movement and variability.
- Maintain site cleanliness: Remove food, standing water, and waste to reduce attraction.
- Inspect routinely: Monitor deterrents and site conditions to ensure continued effectiveness.
Conclusion
High-stake sites can’t afford bird-related shutdowns, delays, or ongoing maintenance issues. Effective bird control requires durable, adaptable, and humane solutions suited to challenging industrial environments.
Rise Tape offers an operationally seamless, high-performance option for keeping operations running smoothly and sites bird-free. Talk to our team to assess your site’s bird risk and get started with a tailored deterrent plan.
