Executive summary
After completing a significant $3 million upgrade to their rooftop air conditioning units, the City of Richmond faced an immediate threat from a long-standing pigeon infestation. To protect this capital investment and ensure sanitary conditions, the City partnered with DeTurd Bird Control Solutions. By installing heavy-duty bird exclusion netting equipped with zipper access points, the team delivered a humane, effective solution within a tight one-week deadline and at a competitive price point.
Introduction
Municipal entities like the City of Richmond are responsible for maintaining public infrastructure to the highest standards. This involves not only the daily operations of office buildings but also the protection of significant capital investments made into those facilities.
Managing commercial properties often brings unexpected challenges, one of the most persistent being pest control. For the City of Richmond, maintaining their office buildings meant ensuring that the mechanical systems running the facilities were operating efficiently and were free from external damage.
DeTurd Bird Control Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in commercial building maintenance and specialized pest control, was brought in to assist. Known for prioritizing humane treatment and legal compliance, DeTurd provided the expertise required to navigate the complex requirements of municipal building maintenance.
The Problem
The City of Richmond had recently completed a massive renovation project, investing $3 million into the installation of new rooftop air conditioning units across two enclosed mechanical areas. While the equipment was state-of-the-art, the environment was not.
For years, city maintenance staff had battled a persistent pigeon infestation in these specific rooftop enclosures. The enclosed nature of mechanical areas often provides an ideal environment. for birds—offering shelter from the elements and warmth generated by the machinery.
However, the presence of pigeons poses a severe threat to mechanical equipment. As noted in industry standards and DeTurd’s own expertise, pigeon droppings contain uric acid, a highly corrosive substance that can eat through building materials and damage the exterior of sensitive machinery. Furthermore, nesting materials (twigs, straw, and debris) are notorious for clogging drainage systems and intakes, leading to potential overheating or water damage.
The City faced a critical junction: they had brand new, expensive assets sitting in an area known to be a biohazard zone due to bird activity. They needed a solution that would physically prevent birds from entering the mechanical enclosures without hindering the operation of the units.
The Solution
To address the root cause of the infestation, DeTurd Bird Control Solutions proposed a physical barrier strategy. While bird spikes or trapping can be effective in certain scenarios, the protection of a large, enclosed mechanical space required a more comprehensive approach: bird exclusion netting.
The implementation involved several key steps to ensure the solution was both effective and practical for the City’s maintenance teams:
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- Strategic Installation of Bird Exclusion Netting
The team installed high-durability netting designed to seal off the mechanical enclosures entirely. This method is often the most effective way to protect specific areas, as it creates an impenetrable barrier that prevents birds from landing, roosting, or nesting, regardless of how determined they are. As with all DeTurd installations, the netting was rigged carefully to minimize any risk of harm to birds, adhering to the company’s humane standards. - 2. Custom Access Points
A common drawback of standard netting is that it can restrict human access to equipment. Since these AC units require regular servicing, simply sealing them off was not an option. DeTurd implemented a customized solution by installing industrial-grade zippers into the bird exclusion netting. This innovative approach allowed City maintenance staff to easily unzip the net, perform necessary maintenance or inspections on the AC units, and reseal the area immediately afterward, maintaining the integrity of the bird barrier. - 3. Humane and Discreet Design
In line with DeTurd’s commitment to humane practices, the netting was selected to be visually unobtrusive while providing maximum protection. This ensured the esthetics of the building were maintained while the functional requirements were met.
- Strategic Installation of Bird Exclusion Netting
Result
The partnership between the City of Richmond and DeTurd Bird Control Solutions yielded immediate and measurable success.
Rapid Turnaround
Time was of the essence. With the AC units already installed, every day without protection was a risk to the new equipment. DeTurd was able to meet a challenging one-week lead time, moving from assessment to full installation rapidly.
Cost-Effectiveness
Municipal budgets are always under scrutiny. DeTurd provided a solution that was not only technically sound but also competitively priced, ensuring the City received high value for their investment in bird exclusion netting.
Asset Protection
The primary goal was achieved: the $3 million air conditioning installation is now secure from the corrosive damage of bird droppings and the fire hazards associated with nesting materials. The specialized netting ensures that while the birds are kept out, the City’s maintenance teams are not locked out, thanks to the safe access by raised areas and integrated zippers.
Conclusion
The City of Richmond’s experience highlights the importance of proactive facility management. By identifying the risk posed by local wildlife to their new infrastructure, they were able to implement a permanent solution that protects taxpayer investment.
DeTurd Bird Control Solutions demonstrated that effective pest control doesn’t have to be invasive or disruptive. Through the strategic application of bird exclusion netting, they provided a solution that is durable, humane, and conducive to ongoing building maintenance.
As the City continues to manage its properties, this installation serves as a model for how to balance infrastructure security with environmental factors.
Is your commercial property battling bird issues? Contact DeTurd Bird Control Solutions today.
