Contract Shooter or Pest Controller
The licensing, skills, equipment and results are very different. Choose wisely!
CONTRACT SHOOTER
We are not Pest Controllers; we are Contract Shooters! And the difference is chalk and cheese. There are two styles of lethal pigeon controllers in the Adelaide market. They are Licensed to use prohibited poisons or Licensed to use firearms! Some do both! While we fall into the latter, we also see ourselves as different to the other shooters!
Pellet Handling
Excuse the heading, but we’re sure you get the meaning! Shooting Vertebrates (animals) is a very different skill from poisoning invertebrates (insects). This activity is regulated under the Firearms Act 2015 and the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Killing feral animals is a large part of this work. And is what we do!
Licensed Pursuant to the Firearms Act 1977
- Our goal is to eradicate the resident population.
- We aim for redundancy.
- We use air rifles and or traps.
- We also employ psychological methods at feed sites.
- We help advise on methods to stop pigeons from returning.
Poison Handling
Pest controllers are regulated under the Controlled Substances Act 1984. To be clear, a pest controller’s licence or pest management technicians licence allows a person to handle and manage controlled substances. Killing insects is a large part of this work.
Licensed Pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act 1984 SA
- Their goal is to build a relationship that will last.
- They aim to manage populations through regular visits.
- They use non lethal means first: nets, spikes, baits, traps etc.
- They are predominately a poisons business.
- They tell you how to keep the population down.
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 – SECT 32AA
Thinking you can purchase a slug-gun and do it yourself! Think again; holding a firearms License does not allow you to discharge a firearm. You have to co-ordinate with the Police and they aren’t going to allow just anyone with a firearms license to discharge a weapon in an urban environment; full stop.
- discharge a firearm intending to injure, annoy or frighten any person, maximum penalty 8 years imprisonment [s 32AA(1)]
- discharge a firearm with the intent of damaging property, maximum penalty 5 years imprisonment [s 32AA(2)]
- discharge a firearm being reckless as to whether doing so does or may injure, annoy or frighten any person, maximum penalty 5 years imprisonment [s 32AA(3)]
- discharge a firearm being reckless as to whether doing so does or may damage property, maximum penalty 3 years imprisonment [s 32AA(4)]
Choosing the right people & plan can save serious money.
Nigel spent $12,000.00 to get rid of 12 resident pigeons. He still had 12 pigeons when we were asked to tackle the problem.
THE WRONG PLAN
With the benefit of hindsight
Trapping on his pergola for a month seemed like a good option to get rid of his 12 messy resident pigeons. Made sense that the pest control people would need a few weeks to get the pigeons comfortable with the trap before arming it. However it didn’t make sense when there were no birds caught. Getting a bit desperate Nigel paid the pest control people to install an exclusion barrier around his solar panels. Still no change in the number of resident pigeons, so Nigel agrees to another month of trapping. You guessed it, still no change in the number of resident pigeons. Then the Pest Control people finally sent a ‘gratis’ Contract Shooter in an attempt to mollify the now disenfranchised customer. Trouble is they chose to send the Contract Shooter at 10:00 am in the morning; when none of the resident pigeons were on site. The shooter admitted to Nigel he didn’t understand why they sent him at that time of the day.
Finally Nigel decides to change from a Pest Control Company to a Contract Shooter. The trouble is we can’t undo the cause and affect that has now been imposed on this problem. Pigeons learn fast, especially when their lives are under threat. When we start a new job we have the benefit of surprise. The pigeons don’t understand what is happening for the first few shoots. We can rely on long established routines that allow us to predict how the birds will behave and react. However this opportunity has been lost to Nigel because they no longer have access under the solar panels. Which means at the first sign of trouble these birds simply leave the scene with no incentive to return in short order. Whereas undisturbed pigeons keep coming back to roost or nest.
Pest Control Companies are generalists! We don’t have a clue about poisoning your termites or laying baits for rats or what poisons to use for what insects. And these guys clearly don’t have a clue about Contract Shooting pest animals.
What we can't publish
The internet is a wealth of knowledge, the trouble is sorting the wheat from the chaff. So why doesn’t Goolge publish it’s algorithms?
DEVIL'S IN THE DETAIL
Publish or perish!
We’re not in academia! Pertaining to business, the saying publish or perish, it should be rewritten to say “publish and perish”. Google protects is algorithms like the crown jewels and we’re no different. We unfortunately have to restrict information that we publish.
We’d love nothing more than to publish a logo and list all the high profile companies we have worked for. Those companies would be very unhappy with is if we did. And names are not the only information we cant publish.
We don’t publish our:
- Customer’s identification
- The list and brands of our many weapons and tactical equipment
- Safety procedures
- Work Procedures
- Strategic hunting tactics
- Trapping techniques
We’d like to think we lead the pack when it comes to Urban Contract Shooting. Which means our competition often copy any advances we make in specialised field of expertise.
Anybody with a gun and accurate scope can shoot a target. Shooting a target is nothing like hunting! Targets don’t get nervous and move at the slightest disturbance. Targets don’t hide under solar panels when they feel threatened! Hunters have to know their prey’s habits, And they have to know thier weapon, ammunition and how it best suits a particular target species. To get this right you need to know a lot of information. What size the animal is, how far away will it be, what the risks to people or property are, the weight, speed, type, ballistic coefficient, angle, distance, wind, twist rate and the list goes on. Where to aim; heart or head? These are just some of the technical aspects. Not to mention the soft skills involved in target acquisition. How does a stalking horse fit into our thinking. What do we know about the target species behaviors, socials habits, breeding cycles, feeding requirements. Again this is just the tip of the iceberg. Is trapping going to be more effective than shooting or will shooting at night be better for a given scenario? Do you notify your neighbours or workmates.
1 Pigeon pair can produce 10 squab a year!
In just over 2 years with available food and nesting 1 pair can produce 250 brand new pests.
THE PROBLEM
Pigeons don’t go away by themselves!
Sure it’s cute and kinda nice that you have a couple of pigeons hanging around. That’s how it starts! The next thing you know, those 2 pigeons are 10 and you keep meaning to do something about them, but like most of us, there are more pressing matters to deal with. For many the chance to get rid of the pigeon problem without a lot of effort is over.
Now you’ve got pigeon poo in your gutters, nests in or on your roof/shed and they love the place. Now you really have to do something because pigeons are prolific breeders in good times. And if you don’t, the problem will just grow and grow and grow. And the cost to get rid of them will just grow and grow and grow.
The next thing your going to do is try the soft approach, nets, spikes, owls, electric shock, loud noises etc. And you will have some short term results. By the time you get serious about the problem, the problem will have become serious and expensive.
We recommend you shoot or trap or both! These are the methods you will eventually end up using in 90% of cases. We look forward to hearing from you when you finally get serious!
Pigeons are here to stay! Humans are a messy bunch! And unless cities and the people in them suddenly change their nature; we will continue to leave a trail of breadcrumbs that will attract pigeons to our cities!
You can hear all the pest controllers breath a sigh of relief! They make a living from the pests that live off our waste! And no amount of deterrents are going to get rid of them. Animals, birds and even humans populate an area because it has three basic ingredients: Food, Water, Shelter! You remove any of these and the population will wither and die or move on. Trouble is most of these items are not controlled entirely by the property owner. That means using other methods to get rid of pest birds.
No doubt you’ve found this website because you have tried the deterrents such as; fake owls, electric wires, noise, spikes, nets and other non lethal methods! And you’ve probably spent a lot of money doing so! Now your ticked off and want a more definite result.
Our attitude is a dead pigeon can’t come back! If only it were that simple. If the deterrents worked, it’s because the pigeons weren’t overly attracted to your site in the first place. But if the pigeons have nested, or have a ready food supply then getting rid of them is not a quick fix. So it makes sense that shooting pigeons or trapping for destruction are the main tools we use to affect a more definitive result. Most sites suit shooting and a smaller number suit trapping and fewer still may even require both! But more likely these those with feed sites are going need an ongoing campaign to manage the problem.
Those sites that need ongoing maintenance strategies are often what we refer to as feed sites! Where food opportunities can not be fully controlled. And so these sites will continue to attract pigeons. Regardless of the type of site or the number of pigeons; cleaning the environment of nesting materials, scent, feathers, droppings is not just necessary for health reason, but also necessary to help become less attractive to further infestation.
The larger the flock the harder and longer it takes to get rid of them. When you’ve tried all the deterrents and still haven’t solved your pigeon problem, get serious and give us a call.
Move them or eradicate them?
Deterrents can only move pest animals! The question is how far and are they still a problem?
DETERRENTS
The Flaw With Deterrents
The problem with deterrents like spikes, nets, gels, wires, owls, etc. is that there can only be one outcome; they MOVE! And even that is not always the case (as you can see in the image below). So the only real question you have to ask yourself is; how far will they MOVE? 3 steps, a meter, 10 meters? And have they become more entrenched and difficult to deal with as a consequence? Sure they might MOVE from your property. But we can tell you from experience, they’re not far away and when your neighbour starts their control program, as Arnie would say “they’ll be back“.
Pigeons normally like to see what’s coming, so their original resting/roosting/nesting location is normally pretty exposed. Deterrents MOVE them to locations that can actually improve their security from predators and contract shooters. Dead pestiferous animals don’t MOVE! If all pestiferous animals were only deterred then Adelaide would become so infested the outcome would be unthinkable. Whether the general public wants to know it or not; predation (cats, falcons, foxes etc) death by natural causes, poisons including the lead kind is ongoing every day. And without it we would be swamped with pestiferous animals and thier detritus, making our city a very unhealthy place to live.
Spikes In Action
Try as they may Adelaide’s GPO learnt the hard way… spikes just don’t work! Pigeons simply don’t recognise spikes as a deterrent! Some poor property manager was convinced by an eager pest control company that spikes were the most effective option to stop pigeons breeding, fouling, and generally turning this beautiful building into an eyesore!
This project would have cost a small fortune and now it is helping to retain the pigeon detritus/nesting in place. Sooner or later someone is going to have to take all those spikes down in order to clean up the crap. That’s probably going to be more costly than the original job of installing them. Oh an the number of pigeons has not changed, if anything they have increased.
Shooting is a permanent solution to pigeon that populate buildings. This site has the worst of problems, in that the parks in Victoria Square provide comfortable resting spots and plenty of food from the local breakfast and lunch trade. So the three major problems are combined in this one location… Feed, Roosting and Nesting!
In this close up of Adelaide’s GPO you can see pigeons playing and defecating and making nests among the spikes! Shooting pigeons may seem like an extreme measure, but the pigeon detritus carries with it ‘harmful to human’ diseases. The people working in and around the GPO building breath in these deposits as they flake and become airborne. Workplace health and safety requires that action be taken to assess the risk and if deemed hazardous to employees or customers, the building owner can be held to account for not taking appropriate action.
Making the hard choice!
Shooting is the most humane method of eradicating pigeons, we hope by now you will skip straight to what works!
WHY US
How this website works
Because shooting birds is not the most popular or politically correct job in today’s social environment, we restrict access to much of our policy and practice to registered members only. Those who have agreed to our terms and conditions because they are genuine about using such a service!
When you’re over the soft options
For those of you who have spent good money and time on the soft options – without result, then the unpleasant reality is; shooting is probably your best option! So “Register” and gain access to detailed information on using armed shooters to get rid of your pigeon/bird problem.
The typical process
Once you have decided shooting is your next logical step and you’ve registered and read our terms and conditions, you will need to make a booking online. By booking online you provide us with a job scope and approval to make contact with your local council (optional for many councils) and the police (mandatory). Once the local council has been consulted; we discuss your risks and decide your prefered shooting package. Then it’s simply a matter of agreeing on a shoot date and then all systems are go. We notify the police and you notify any agreed list of relevant people, ie neighbours, family, friends etc.
Why Adelaide Pigeon Control
Because you need to get rid of pigeons and Adelaide Pigeon Control is not your generic “Pest Control” business. Most of the so called ‘bird control’ businesses offer a complete range of pest control services. At the top of that list – yep you guessed it “Termites” then crawlies like ants, bedbugs, cockroaches, and let’s not forget spiders and fleas! Then we have flying insects, rodents, and then finally birds, often at the very end of that list. We on the other hand are professional shooters getting rid of pigeons and other birds problems.
Lethal or Non-lethal
And bird control methods can be broken into two distinct categories! Lethal and Non-lethal! Non-lethal employs methods such as spikes, electric shock, nets, proofing, gels and others. Lethal relies pretty much on poisons or shooting! Which is a wide range of skills to have if you’re the person responsible to cover the myriad of pest controls methods.
Just one skill
Unlike most of our competitors, we employ just one skill! At our core we are hunters who learn about thier quarry and become marksmen who shoot specified targets with skills honed through repetition. A simple analogy would be like asking a sumo wrestler to be a jockey for a day! Sure an exaggerated example, but the simple truth is “hunting” is a perishable skill! We try to focus on being the best at that one skill!
Adelaide’s Victoria Square
8:30am 28/11/15 opposite the GPO
Want to know more – Send us an equiry!
So you need to get rid of your pigeons and found that nets and spikes and gel etc. just don’t work!
Well look no further; shooting pigeons is more humane than: baiting and hawks and other lethal options. Baits can’t target a particular bird or even species of birds. Hawks are actually only lethal a small percentage of the time. And even when they have grabbed a bird, the outcome is far from sure. Shooting means one bird is targeted at a time. Research shows that using a professional marksman is the most humane method to put a permanent end to your pigeon problem.
Need more info, just fill in the form and we will be in touch soon.
Pigeons win the disease race!
Pigeons carry more disease and cover more area than rats!
RATS WITH WINGS
Pigeon (Rats with wings) Eradication
Flying rats would cause a very different reaction to pigeons!
Sky rats, gutter birds, flying ashtrays are just a few nicknames. For most people they don’t deserve these derogatory names; until they’ve had to dry-clean an expensive jacket or blouse. Ever sat on an outdoor restaurant seat only to be embarrassed by some passerby telling you you’ve got a great big white stain on your bum? Harmless enough, unless your a business owner who has a responsibility to make sure eating areas are kept clean of pests and their droppings. Then the cost starts to mount up.
If you found a rat sitting on your restaurant seat you’d be appalled! But for some reason we seem to forgive pigeons the same behaviour. Unfortunately there’s no tip toeing around what we do, pigeon removal, pigeon control, pigeon eradication, pigeon culling, lethal pigeon control the truth is we shoot pigeons. But we try to do this discreetly and humanely. Ever seen a pigeon crash land in a crowd from poisoning, or a pigeon caught in netting try to get itself free, we think shooting is the most humane and focused method available. We can work out a method that will work in with your environment.
FACT:
- Pigeons are a health hazard, by spreading diseases or parasites. Diseases such as encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis and toxoplasmosis.
- They deface buildings and vehicles with their droppings. Foul entrances and pavements, that can become dangerous and slippery.
- Pigeons can cause insect infestations such as bird mites, textile beetles and fleas are attracted to nests and roosting site.
- Pigeons – have very acidic urine, meaning their droppings can cause corrosion.
- Molted feathers or nesting materials can lead to blockages in guttering or ventilation shafts.
- Birds infiltrate walls and roof spaces and cavities, making terrible messes and causing damage. In addition, if a bird dies in a difficult-to-access space, it could result in unpleasant smells.
Pigeons/seagulls/starlings can all become a real problem for business and home owners. It’s not just the mess they make; they can also cause damage to roof/gutters water features etc.
If you need humane bird eradication email us or call 0439 832 664. We’ll call you back within 24 hours (Monday – Friday) to arrange an appointment.
There is no quick effective solution to be rid of unwanted feral pigeons. Poisons means the birds are left to die slowly and rot where they land (often in neighboring yards). This means pets can pick them up or even eat them. Putting up barriers just causes them to move, often just next door. And who really want unsightly spikes around their roof and gutters.
Shooting pigeons is instant. Shooting is humane in that they are dead in an instant. We use an air rifle meaning it is quiet and very specific. Poison can be ingested by other breeds of birds that might not be targeted. Shooting means the bird is identified every time.
Extract from Australian Pest Control Association
Ref: http://www.pestcontrol.org.au/birds.html
It is an irrefutable fact that the vast majority of birds provide much pleasure for humans and many play an important role in the web of life. However, some birds, especially the introduced species, can be regarded as pests in many situations and even some native birds are often less than welcome on certain occasions. The reasons why some birds can be considered pests are:-
- Defacement Bird droppings frequently deface public buildings, private dwellings, ledges, windows and footpaths. Inside, droppings may fall on machinery, tools, structural timbers and clothing. Accumulated moist droppings may serve as a medium for fly breeding and development.
- Property Damage Droppings may stop up gutters and downpipes, causing roofs to leak. Roofing life can be cut dramatically by prolonged bird usage. The droppings can be responsible for rust and corrosion and the uric acid content can mar the paint on automobiles, machinery and buildings.
- Disease Potential Some virulent diseases can be spread by pest birds. Some important fungal diseases are closely linked with bird droppings which serve as a disease reservoir. The better known diseases include cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, Newcastle disease, psittacosis, gastroenteritis, encephalitis, toxoplasmosis and aspergillosis.
- Associated Pests Certain insects, mites and ticks capable of affecting the well-being of humans and animals can be found living on birds or in their nests. Such pests include: bed bugs, carpet beetles, clothes moths, cadelle beetles, red poultry mite, tropical fowl mite, pigeon tick, spider beetle, lesser house fly, larder beetle and many others.
- Contamination of Food and Feed Pest birds may not directly consume much food but they are capable of contaminating vast amounts. Droppings may contain vast numbers of viable organisms capable of adversely affecting one’s health. Contaminated livestock feed and food intended for humans must be discarded, thus increasing costs. Food can also be contaminated by feathers, ectoparasites, detritus from birds’ nests and dead birds.
- Depredation of Crops Some pest birds, including some native species, may cause severe damage to growing crops such as grapes, apples, cherries, cereals and sunflowers. They may also feed on garden produce as well as stored grain.
- Noise Starlings in particular can create a considerable disturbance when roosting together. This exasperating noise may prevent people from sleeping.
- Safety Hazard Gregarious birds that form large flocks can become hazardous to aviation. Starlings and seagulls have been responsible for aircraft crashes. In addition, accumulations of bird droppings on footpaths, steps and fire escapes may render them hazardous to pedestrian traffic.
- Displacement of Native Birds Colourful native birds are often compelled to leave an area when incapable of competing against aggressive pest species for food and nesting sites.
Service Area
Telephone No.0409 094 301