Is Your Property Ready for Fall Migration?

A Facilities Director’s Checklist for Bird Control

Every fall, migrating birds move in massive numbers across the country, and industrial facilities are often prime real estate for them. Flat rooftops, large loading bays, open water sources, and sheltered ledges make your property the perfect stopover.

For facilities directors, this isn’t just a nuisance. Bird activity can disrupt operations, cause expensive equipment damage, create slip hazards, and even put OSHA compliance at risk.

So how do you know if your facility is prepared? Here’s a practical checklist to help you get ahead of the fall migration surge.

1. Inspect Your Rooftops and Loading Docks

Flat industrial rooftops and loading areas are major attractions for migrating birds. Look for:

• Accumulated droppings (a sign of regular bird presence)

• Early signs of nesting

• Standing water that may draw birds in

If these areas aren’t regularly maintained or protected, birds will take advantage, fast.

2. Evaluate Equipment Vulnerability

Birds love to perch and nest near HVAC units, solar arrays, and other rooftop equipment. Their droppings are acidic and can corrode metal and electrical components. Check for:

• Droppings on or around equipment

• Nesting material lodged near fans or vents

• Signs of corrosion or staining

Proactive protection here prevents costly repairs or downtime.

3. Review Safety Hazards

Fall migration often leads to a sudden increase in droppings on walkways, ladders, and loading bays. These can become slip and fall hazards for your team or visiting contractors. Ask yourself:

• Are high-traffic areas clean and safe?

• Are droppings or nests blocking access points?

• Do you have a cleaning protocol in place for these zones?

Remember: if an employee or visitor is injured due to a known hazard, liability falls on the property owner or manager.

4. Check for Compliance Gaps

Bird-related hazards can also put your OSHA compliance at risk. Migration season means more droppings, feathers, and nesting materials, all of which can impact:

• Indoor air quality near vents and intakes

• Contamination risks for stored goods

• Safe access to elevated work areas

It’s worth coordinating with your compliance team now, rather than scrambling after an inspection.

5. Assess Your Bird Control Measures

If you already have deterrents installed, now is the time to review them:

• Are netting systems intact?

• Are spikes, wires, or other deterrents secure?

• Has any damage or wear reduced their effectiveness?

If you don’t have a bird control plan in place, fall migration is the worst time to delay. Flocks can quickly establish patterns that are hard to break.

6. Partner with a Bird Control Specialist

Even the best facilities teams benefit from expert support during peak bird seasons. A qualified bird control provider can help you:

• Conduct a full site assessment

• Identify high-risk zones

• Install humane, long-term deterrent systems

Professional solutions like grid wire, netting, and exclusion devices not only keep birds out but do so in ways that are safe, humane, and built to last.

Get Ahead of the Migration

Fall migration doesn’t have to disrupt your operations or put your facility at risk. By following this checklist, you can spot vulnerabilities early and take action before flocks arrive.

Need help preparing your property?

AviAway specializes in custom bird control solutions for industrial facilities across the U.S., from warehouses to solar farms to complex multi-building campuses.

Let’s protect your property before migration season peaks.

Contact us today