2016 - Volume #BFS, Issue #16, Page #89
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New Liquid Bird Repellent Keeps Pest Birds Away (Update)
Avian Control® Bird Repellent, first introduced in 2010, is finding important new applications in agriculture after a recent EPA registration for expanded uses. Since its introduction, the product has become prominent in the fruit grower segment, particularly with blueberries, cherries and grapes (table & wine), with almost four thousand assorted berry growers actively using the product. Now, with recent EPA registration for the product’s use on nearly every fruit & vegetable as well as livestock feed stuffs, the entire spectrum of agriculture, including dairy, is now able to keep pest birds away.
  According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services:
  Birds of many species congregate at dairies and feedlots, especially during winter months. Those most frequently associated with damage problems at dairies are European starlings, pigeons, sparrows, grackles, cowbirds, and vultures.
  Birds consume and contaminate livestock feed with dual impact, reducing milk production and increasing feed and medical costs. For example, 1,000 starlings can eat about 36–40 pounds of food per day. Because birds concentrate on the high protein portion of dairy cow feed, they deprive cows of proper nutrition, resulting in decreased milk production. Additionally, bird droppings in feed and water can transmit harmful diseases and reduce feed consumption. Bird feces on buildings and equipment can shorten their useful life and increase cleanup costs. Birds of many species congregate at dairies and feedlots, especially during winter months. Those most frequently associated with damage problems at dairies are European starlings, pigeons, sparrows, grackles, cowbirds, and vultures.
  Although Avian Control® has found tremendous success in agriculture, it was originally introduced for other markets. “We pioneered Avian Control® Bird Repellent initially for a landfill in the Midwest that had bird problems. At that time we had no idea how big a problem pest birds were in agriculture,” says Steve Stone, Executive Vice President of Avian Enterprises, LLC, the company that produces Avian Control® Bird Repellent. “We learned during the EPA government approval process, however, that bird damage to crops results in millions in lost revenue each year, so now we’re focusing on marketing to agriculture – especially the fruit and vegetable growers industry and dairy farmers.”
  The primary ingredient in Avian Control® Bird Repellent is Methyl Anthranilate (MA), which has been used as an effective bird deterrent since the 1960’s. MA is a naturally occurring extract found in Concord Grapes. Stone’s company used that as the base ingredient and refined its formula with other select and proprietary food grade components. Avian Control® is a non-lethal product that repels nuisance birds such as starlings, grackles, pigeons, geese, blackbirds, and cedar waxwings.
  Avian Control® Bird Repellent can be fogged or sprayed onto field crops such as sunflowers and sweet corn and on fruit crops such as cherries, grapes and blueberries. Golf courses, lawns and parks can be sprayed with Avian Control® to deter nuisance geese, ducks and birds. The product can also be fogged in large buildings like dairy, hog, and horse barns, as well as machine sheds and even airplane hangars to repel birds. Avian Control® is currently approved for use in all fifty states.
  Stone says that tests done in the fruit industry showed that trees and plants sprayed with Avian Control® had 87 percent less damage than those left untreated. Select sunflower growers in North Dakota used Avian Control® in 2012 and had excellent results during a National Sunflower Association/USDA sponsored test. Rugby, North Dakota grower Mike Christenson sprayed half of an 80-acre field with Avian Control® and says that by the day after the application, he watched flocks of birds swoop toward the field and veer away from the sprayed area. Coleharbor, North Dakota farmer Tim Eslinger treated 50 acres of sunflowers and says birds moved on without damaging his crop. During the 2013 growing season, Michigan Sweet Corn grower, Ernie Costantino wrote “We sprayed once and the birds left us completely alone! We sprayed a quart to the acre on our sweet corn after the birds started ravaging it a few days ago and Avian Control acted as an Iron Dome over our corn!” In August, 2015, New Jersey wine grower, Jack Tomasello, of Tomasello Winery Inc. wrote: “Avian Control is clearly the best tool on the market in defense of birds in the vineyard and has proven time and time again to be the most effective. I can tell you it has the ability to go the distance when everything else stops working. Say goodbye to netting.” These colorful and happy testimonials written by satisfied growers to Stone at Avian Enterprises have become typical.
  Stone says that Avian Control® deters birds because the product creates an ultra-violet staining effect on plants, food stuffs and other surfaces that only birds can see. “Once they’ve had a bad experience where it’s sprayed, they won’t be back,” Stone says. He’s also quick to point out that Avian Control® doesn’t physically harm the birds, doesn’t affect the crop it’s applied to, and doesn’t harm other animals, humans, pets, or insects.
  “For bird control it’s important to treat an area early, when scout birds are checking for food and resting sites,” Stone says, “If scouts have a bad experience, the rest of the flock won’t land there either.”
  Although Avian Control® Bird Repellent physically lasts for around two weeks after application, birds are deterred for a longer period of time because they’re creatures of habit. “Once birds take a dislike to a certain area or are deterred for a couple weeks, they generally won’t be back,” Stone says. “If there are new birds coming into an area or a crop needs protection for several week, then additional treatments may be necessary.”
  For agricultural use, 24 ounces to 1 quart of Avian Control® is mixed with enough water to create a solution that covers one acre. Stone says a typical application costs from $15 to $24 per acre depending on ground or aerial application. Avian Control® Bird Repellent is available in 1 gal. Jugs, 5-­gal boxes with two 2.5 gal. Jugs, and in 15, 30 or 55 gal. Drums. 275 gal. Totes are available upon request.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Follow-up, Jon Stone, Avian Enterprises, 2000 Pontiac Drive, Sylvan Lake, MI 48320 (ph. 888 707-4355; www.aviancontrol.com) or email: sales@aviancontrol.com


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2016 - Volume #BFS, Issue #16