BirdMaster's Blog » Bird Control Systems

Ohio is a little bit Egyptian

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:45:33 +0000

Known for its substantial collection of Asian and Egyptian art, The Cleveland Museum of Art is nestled into the east side of the city in the Wade Park District.

In 1913, three prominent Cleveland residents, Hinman Hurlbut, John Huntington and Horace Kelley, bestowed an endowment of $750 million dollars to build the museum, all with the intention of keeping admission to the public free.

The centerpiece in the middle of the 75-acre Wade Park was built at a cost of $1.25 million dollars and designed by Hubbell & Benes. The white, neoclassical-style Georgian marble building provides great contrast with the stunning green from the park.

Over the years the museum has had many renovations and additions. In 1971, it was expanded to hold another wing. Marcel Breuer used two-toned granite in his design to break away from the original neoclassical style. In 1983, a library was built to house nine new galleries for all the art.

But the most comprehensive expansion of all is the one of the future. In 2005, the museum’s “Building for the future” project became the most expensive cultural project in Ohio’s history at $350 million. The project brought new east and west wings to the museum property as well as an atrium courtyard under a glass canopy.

Today the Cleveland museum has landed a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. With the help of the Ohio Art Council, the museum is still able to operate under free admission for everyone.

Art is timeless, and as the operators said on the museum’s opening day in 1916, it’s “for the benefit of all people, forever.”

BirdMaster is proud to support the arts and we’re happy to protect the museum from damage as long as it stands!

Preserving the Largest Catholic Church in the U.S.

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:04:15 +0000

It’s the eighth largest church in the world, the largest Catholic church in the United States and the tallest habitable building in Washington D.C.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has been standing proud since it opened in 1959.

Believe it or not, the Basilica’s dome is only 7 feet, making it smaller than the dome of the United States Capital. But its size doesn’t take away from its beauty.

With medieval inspiration, the church was built heavily with masonry walls and columns instead of steel and concrete. The blueprints were designed in order to hold 6,000 people and include some modern amenities.

In all, there are 70 chapels. The Basilica uses art and sacred images on the sides of the church to achieve a Romanesque-Byzantine look. Each arch outside is lined with Pewabic Pottery tile and ceramic medallions on the ceiling, and sitting inside are 14 stations of the cross for the crypt.

Now, if that isn’t impressive!

Inside, the architecture features a Greek style with mosaics to decorate the domes. Some say, it even reminds them of the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, Italy!

A church this elegant is sure to throw a fantastic party! Maybe you’ve even seen it?

Last year, they held a publicly televised Thanksgiving Mass!

BirdMaster loves a good celebration, so we’ll continue to preserve this landmark and keep it rockin’!

The Crows Are Taking Over!

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:53:34 +0000

On any given day in downtown Springfield, Ohio, there are more crows than people. And it’s becoming a growing concern.

In fact, according to city officials- they’re everywhere! And it doesn’t look like the crows want to leave anytime soon.

With fields surrounding the county, crows have always had a longtime home there. But Roger Sherrock, CEO of the Clark County Historical Society, said that crows have been roosting downtown by the thousands for the last three years.

He even said he estimates that 50,000 crows gather downtown at a time! Now, that’s a lot of birds!

Businesses are beginning to lose hope that something can be done about the roosting. Since bird guano is very acidic, it corrodes surfaces and it has been leaving damage to buildings across the city. Not to mention the amount of bacteria that gets left behind.

Officials have tried several inhumane bird deterrence methods from noise devices to laser pointers with little success.

It’s hard to guess why the birds have congregated there, but Federal Wildlife has said some possible reasons are that the birds are safe from predators in the city and that rural areas are warmer in the winter.

In order to resolve their roosting problem, officials will need to understand how these crows think! And who better than BirdMaster!?

In the News: Nesting Birds could cost $33 million in San Francisco Bridge delays

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:05:42 +0000

After a devastating earthquake 25 years ago that ruined a section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the bridge has finally been restored. But it seems that the old bridge section, won’t be demolished anytime soon.

The old section is filled with 800 double-breasted cormorants that have nested there and have made it obvious they would rather not relocate. City officials have spent time with decoys, bird recordings and even built special manmade nests underneath the new bridge section to try to lure to the birds over.

But taxpayers are not happy about it. It’s estimated that they’ve already spent $33 million to try to relocate the birds- a very difficult feat, especially after they’ve settled!

It’s likely that the bridge will stay in place long past February as well, because demolition of the bridge section will be halted when the birds start laying eggs. Officials are planning to have the Bay Bridge finished by 2018 if they can relocate the birds.

The city is also thinking about installing bird control netting so the avian population doesn’t increase any more than it already has.

“If we don’t do this our penalties could far exceed the cost, so we’re in a balancing act,” said Leah Robinson, a spokesperson of the California Department of Transportation.

Since cities are developing fast, there is a constant problem with finding natural nesting sites, and transportation bridges are becoming a prime option for birds. They love bridges because it provides reliable food sources and protection from predators.

The San Francisco bridge is currently home to 533 nests and by demolishing the bridge, the nests would be destroyed too, leaving those protected birds without a home.

It is important that nesting on manmade structures, such as this, do not take place, so prevention is key! Birds are better suited in their natural habitats and time and money are needed to relocate the birds without harm.

BirdMaster safely protects architecture and bridges from pest birds and gives them a chance to remain in nature!

Award-Winning Historic Restoration: Duo Multicultural Arts Center in Manhattan

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:59:55 +0000

The streets of New York are full of rich history and beautiful architecture from various time periods. One of the best representations of New York’s architectural ancestry can be seen in the theater and art districts, doing their part to restore and preserve historic buildings and landmarks to cherish for years to come. On what is known as the Fourth Arts Block on East Fourth Street in Manhattan, the Duo Multicultural Arts Center has been undergoing a $1.5 million dollar restoration of the façade to revive the beautiful aesthetics this 1800s hotel and theater once held.

The Godfather Part II movie poster

“Marilyn Monroe Portrait”
by Andy Warhol

The Duo Multicultural Arts Center began as a hotel in 1889 and was later transitioned into a German music union known as Astoria Hall. In the 1930s, the ballroom was converted into a theater (named Fortune Theater), providing ample place for concerts, play productions and more. John Philip Sousa helped organize the first music union in New York and held several meetings in the theater, and several Yiddish theater companies utilized the space for their productions as well. At one point, the theater was even home to a television studio in which several early TV shows were filmed. Andy Warhol, renowned pop art pioneer, set his eyes on Fortune Theater and rented it in the 1970s to showcase his own theatrical productions. Acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola also rented Fortune Theater to shoot the famous operetta scene from the American epic crime film The Godfather Part II. The Duo Multicultural Arts Center both moved into and began producing in the building in 1987. Also housed inside the five-story building is the Rod Rodgers Dance Company.

Duo Multicultural Arts Center Restoration project before and after

Over the years, the exterior of the building has taken quite a hit to its beautiful aesthetics, hiding the beauty of its façade to any and all passing by. While internal renovations have been a continual project, a $1.5 million dollar restoration project was commissioned in 2011 to return the façade to its former glory – and to revive the history the building holds to passersby. As you can see, the restoration was a marvelous success and the preservation and restoration specialists did a beautiful job. BirdMaster was honored to contribute to the restoration project by bird proofing the exterior of the building to deter pest birds and their droppings in the future. For the Duo Multicultural Arts Center, BirdMaster installed PermaNet Lite, a type of bird netting designed to blend in with a building’s exterior and be virtually invisible to the naked eye, and VolTape, an energized anti-roosting system with ultimate flexibility. All of BirdMaster’s bird proofing systems are humane and cause no harm to pest birds, but rather send them on their way safely.

On April 25, 2012, BirdMaster received the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from The New York Landmarks Conservancy for their work on the Duo Multicultural Arts Center. The new bird control system will provide low maintenance pest bird control and protection for the building for years to come.

Pigeons take over Washington County

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:01:21 +0000

A large, growing group of pigeons have infested Washington County and are causing officials to worry about the health and well-being of its population. Before the population and visitors get sick from bird droppings, the town is brainstorming ways to fix the pigeon infestation without harming birds or the environment.

Since the old Washington County Tennessee courthouse in Jonesborough was taken over by pest birds, the accumulation of bird droppings on its exterior has caused a significant mess to its façade.

“ ‘I’d say there’s 150, 200 pigeons up there, it gets more every day,’ said Jake Hensley.

Hensley’s spent the last two decades fighting a losing battle.

‘They’ve been a problem for years, but it’s worse this year than it’s ever been,’ said Hensley.

The Washington County courthouse maintenance director cleans bird droppings every morning.

‘We have to keep the porches and ramps washed off so people don’t have to walk through,’ said Hensley. ‘They need to get rid of them.’

The county is coming up with a plan to eliminate the problem. Some will likely be trapped and killed. The county will also remove the windows so the birds can’t roost there. But first, leaders will install sharp bird control strips on all flat surfaces.

‘The manure’s really in there,’ said Hensely. ‘I mean really in there.’

They know they won’t be able to get rid of all of the animals, but they say it’s time to do something.

‘If this keeps on, somebody’s going to get sick,’ said Hensley.

As know, the buildup of bird dropping can cause structures to deteriorate over time. As well, the cost to clean the mess left behind by pigeons can surpass the cost involved in the installation of humane bird control systems.

BirdMaster Bird Control Systems specializes in humane and environmentally friendly bird deterrent systems. They have been protecting historic and commercial buildings for over 20 years. BirdMaster protects buildings from the damaging effects as well as the health hazards associated with bird guano. Their systems do not harm bird or the environment.

Birds create a problem for students and faculty at Millersville University, PA

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:39:36 +0000

Nearly fifty Canada geese are infesting the Millersville University campus. These birds are causing a mess around the campus and are interfering with the well-being of the students, faculty and visitors on site.

“The birds have created a ‘poo problem’ at Millersville University. ‘As of right now — it’s a poop invasion,’ said freshman Vanessa Rave. You don’t have to look hard to find goose droppings around the college’s typically pristine pond.

A flocking fraternity of four dozen Canada Geese became the messiest party animals around campus. Dr. Ralph Anttonen, or ‘Doc Roc,’ said his walk to class usually involves dancing around droppings.

‘Every time I come this way and I have to go over this bridge over here — you have to sort of avoid stepping in it, if you know what I mean,’ Anttonen said.

One goose can poop up to 25 times a day, creating two pounds of it. Take in consideration there’s nearly 50 birds on campus. Cleaning up about 100 pounds of poop daily has given head groundskeeper, Larry Aurand, headaches for months.

‘We clean the sidewalks every day and at its height this summer, by the middle of the day they almost needed it again,’ said Aurand.

The bird droppings pose serious health threats too. Diseases can be tracked into dorms and classrooms — not to mention that scat can be slippery.

‘Every sidewalk that you possibly walk on by the ponds, [the poop is] everywhere,’ Rave said. ‘It’s green and it dries white, but on the bottom of your shoes. It’ll stay there for days.’
Read more: http://www.abc27.com/story/15991111/goose-droppings-raise-stink-at-millersville-university

It is important for schools to offer a clean and safe site for students, faculty and visitors. To avoid contamination, birds must be kept away, and the site must be free of bird droppings.

A humane bird control system can be very effective in eliminating pest birds, without harming the birds or the environment.

BirdMaster receives two prestigious awards from The New York Landmarks Conservancy

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:45:22 +0000

On April 27, 2011, BirdMaster, the leader in humane bird control for Historic Preservation, has received another two prestigious awards from The New York Landmarks Conservancy.

This year, the Conservancy’s 21st Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award recognized BirdMaster Bird Control Systems for the outstanding preservation efforts made at the Church of St. Francis Xavier and the New York Public Library.

“Inside the beautifully-restored sanctuary of honoree, Church of St. Francis Xavier, nearly 500 people gathered to take part in the Conservancy’s 21st Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards on April 27. The coveted awards, nicknamed the ‘Preservation Oscars,’ laud outstanding preservation efforts by individuals and projects. They are named for Lucy Goldschmidt Moses, a dedicated New Yorker whose generosity benefited the City for more than 50 years.

‘The awards are a celebration of outstanding restoration projects throughout the City as well as some extraordinary individuals,’ said Peg Breen, president of the Conservancy. ‘The time and care that went into completing these projects demonstrates New Yorkers’ commitment to preserving the entire range of the City’s historic architecture.’

This year’s vast range of project award recipients—from the New York Public Library to a modest building in the Bronx; historic religious properties from many eras; architecture that is sometimes grand and opulent—tell the story of New York. The honorees included: 614 Courtlandt Street, Belasco Theatre, Church of St. Francis Xavier, Knox Building, Liberty Tower, New York Public Library, Our Lady of the Rosary Mission, Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, PS 90 Condominium, Queen of Greene, St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, Surrogate’s Court-Hall of Records, and Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Governors Island. Owners, managers, architects and restorers responsible for 12 outstanding preservation projects completed in 2010 accepted the awards”

New York Public Library includes BirdMaster Bird Control Netting in Restoration Project

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:24:57 +0000

New York Public Library President, Paul LecClerc, along with city officials, gathered on 42nd street this this past Tuesday to celebrate the substantial completion of the $50 million, 3-year restoration project. In 2006, a building survey revealed severe deterioration and soiling on the façade, including the Corinthian column capitals, lion head keystones and scroll modillions. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., the architects who performed the survey, attributed the deterioration to various factors including pigeon guano.

Pigeon guano corrodes building facades and has been a big problem for historic buildings throughout the years. When the architects of the restoration project realized the scope of the problem, and the need to bird proof the building to prevent future corrosion, they called the experts: BirdMaster Bird Control Systems. BirdMaster is the architect’s choice and #1 specified bird Control Company for historic preservation. Over a 3-year period, BirdMaster’s Bird Control Professionals installed over 18,000 square feet of bird netting. Not only is the netting virtually invisible, it will not harm pest birds.For over 20 years, BirdMaster has been protecting our nation’s architectural and historic treasures from pest bird infestations. Our bird control portfolio includes sites such as the Statue of Liberty (New York), Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and a legion of other prestigious landmarks. Our commitment to historic preservation has led to assignments on the campuses of nearly every Ivy League college, and most of the government buildings lining Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC

BirdMaster Tames the Lion

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:59:24 +0000

Bird droppings (Guano) pose serious health risks to humans from bacteria and pulmonary invasive spores. The acidity in bird guano also degrades stone and metal, attacking the substrate of buildings causing permanent damage. Concerned, Brooklyn Museum of Art curators contracted BirdMaster to prevent pest birds to the nooks and crannies of their Lion Statue – BirdMaster had previously installed bird control systems which had successfully protected their Main Entrance Portico from pigeons.

To prevent pigeons from coming back and nesting on the sculpture, BirdMaster bird proofed it with installations that are virtually invisible from the ground. To permanently solve the bird infestation problem, BirdMaster’s bird control experts secured it using stainless steel cable, PVC coated stainless steel mesh and stainless steel spikes.

Understanding and capitalizing on the psychology of birds – means BirdMaster can predict what kind of architectural elements birds find attractive – which is crucial in preventing pigeons from coming back. BirdMaster has saved customers countless dollars by creating and executing plans which uses the minimum of hardware to create maximum results, leaving the aesthetics of the subject without compromise.

BirdMaster’s humane bird control systems do not harm birds. They simply fly away to other habitats.