Executive Summary
When Costco undertook the renovation to convert a large warehouse into a new business center, they faced a critical challenge: a tight four-week timeline and an existing pigeon infestation in the facility’s undercover areas. To comply with strict company policies and ensure a sanitary environment, Costco partnered with Deturd Bird Control Solutions to install professional-grade bird exclusion netting. The project was completed successfully within the deadline, securing the
facility against pests while maintaining accessibility for future maintenance.
Introduction
Costco Wholesale Corporation is a global leader in retail, recognized for its commitment to quality, efficiency, and high operational standards. Whether serving families in their standard warehouses or small businesses in their specialized Business Centers, Costco maintains impeccable facility standards to ensure the safety and satisfaction of their members.
Recently, the retail giant initiated a significant project to renovate a large warehouse into a fully functional Business Center. These centers are designed to cater to the specific needs of small to medium-sized business owners, requiring a pristine, professional environment. However, retrofitting an existing large-scale structure comes with unique logistical hurdles, particularly when it involves exterior maintenance and pest control protocols.
The Problem
The renovation project was vast in scope, but the timeline was incredibly compressed. The construction and management teams were given a strict three-week window to complete critical exterior updates before the facility could move forward.
Central to these updates was a specific Costco policy: all outside canopies must be fitted with bird exclusion netting to prevent bird infestations. This policy is not merely cosmetic; it is a vital preventative measure. Pigeons and other birds can cause significant structural damage. Their nesting materials often clog drainage systems, leading to water damage, while their droppings contain corrosive uric acid that can degrade building exteriors and pose health risks.
The challenge at the new Business Center was two-fold:
- Active Infestation: Upon initial inspection, it was noted that before Costco even took full possession of the facility, pigeons had already established roosts in two of the three large undercover areas. They were nesting deep within the roof steel rafters and wall bracing, creating an immediate sanitation and construction hazard.
- Time Constraints: With only four weeks to clear the infestation and install a complex netting system across three massive exterior awnings, there was zero margin for error. A delay in the bird control installation could push back other phases of the renovation, costing time and money.
The Solution
Recognizing the urgency and complexity of the situation, Costco turned to Deturd Bird Control Solutions. With over 20 years of experience in commercial building maintenance and specialized bird control, Deturd was uniquely equipped to handle a high-pressure, large-scale installation. The solution focused on the installation of high-quality bird exclusion netting. This method is widely regarded as one of the most effective, humane, and durable ways to protect commercial structures. The netting acts as a physical barrier, denying birds access to rafters and bracing without causing them harm.
The Implementation Process:
- Site Assessment: The Deturd team quickly identified the active nesting zones in the roof steel rafters and wall bracing.
- Humane Removal: Before sealing the areas, the team ensured the removal of existing birds, adhering to their commitment to humane treatment and legal compliance.
- Precision Installation: The team installed heavy-duty bird exclusion netting across all three exterior awnings and undercover areas. Great care was taken to ensure the netting was taut and secure, rendering it virtually invisible from most vantage points to maintain the building’s aesthetic appeal.
- Maintenance Integration Understanding that a warehouse is a working building, Deturd didn’t just seal the ceiling off. They installed 48 specialized zippers throughout the three netted areas. These access points were strategically placed to allow maintenance crews easy access to lighting fixtures without compromising the integrity of the bird barrier.
Result
By partnering with Deturd Bird Control Solutions, Costco was able to navigate a potential bottleneck in their renovation schedule seamlessly.
The measurable successes of this project included:
- 100% Deadline Adherence: The Deturd team successfully completed the massive installation within the tight three-week window, allowing the rest of the renovation to proceed on schedule.
- Complete Area Coverage: Bird exclusion netting was successfully installed across all three targeted exterior awnings and undercover areas, effectively sealing off the steel rafters and wall bracing from future infestations.
- Future-Proof Functionality: The installation of 48 access zippers ensured that Costco’s maintenance teams could service lighting and other overhead fixtures easily, eliminating the need to cut or damage the netting in the future.
The facility opened with a clean, professional exterior that met Costco’s rigorous safety and policy standards, free from the damaging effects of pigeon infestations.
Conclusion
This project highlights the importance of expertise and speed when dealing with commercial pest control. For a massive retailer like Costco, failing to address a bird infestation quickly could have resulted in structural damage, health code violations, and construction delays.
Deturd Bird Control Solutions demonstrated that bird exclusion netting is not just a passive barrier, but a strategic asset for commercial property management. By combining humane practices with durable materials and thoughtful engineering (such as the inclusion of maintenance zippers), Deturd delivered a solution that will protect the Business Center for years to come.
Does your commercial property struggle with unwanted birds? Don’t wait for structural damage to occur. Contact Deturd Bird Control Solutions today to schedule an assessment and discover how our humane exclusion strategies can protect your business.
