Bird Strike Committee Proceedings
Date of this Version
October 2002
Abstract
Automated haze systems (The BirdHazer) combined with Methyl Anthranilate (MA) is proven effective and cost efficient as an application method for eliminating nuisance birds in aviation hangars, warehouses, and airport facilities. Proper placement of the BirdHazer system which is based on air flow circulation allows to deliver a clean, dry haze, producing a mean droplet diameter size of 5 microns , which also eliminates the possibility of permeation and any settled residue. Three preliminary test studies were successfully completed at 2 dairy barn locations, and a salt storage warehouse. The fourth testing site was conducted at a maintenance hangar at Lemoore Naval Air Station, Lamoore, CA. This hangar had approximately 50 nesting pigeons (Columba livia). The BirdHazer unit was installed above an office in a back corner of the hangar. Concluding results indicate elimination of all birds within the 75-ft radius. A later discovery indicated that prevailing wind direction moved the MA product to the back of the maintenance building and did not provide total coverage of the area effectively. Follow-up testing will be done in the same hangar, with a two-head haze system accompanied with vortex fans behind each haze head to break up the product particles for more effective results. The BirdHazer also shows positive results with the use of the automated timed delivery system. At the Lemoore test site, the BirdHazer will be set at 30-sec intervals every 10 min during three 1-hour periods per day. Because of the 5-micron droplet size, this timing sequence allows the invisible haze to hang in the air up to 4 hours for complete coverage throughout the hangar.