Bird Control for Food Safety Audits

Why Birds Are an Audit Problem

A single bird inside a production or storage area can become an audit finding. Droppings carry pathogens, feathers and nesting material contaminate surfaces, and birds roosting over docks and doors track contamination inside. For food processors, warehouses that store food, and co-packers, bird control is part of food safety — not just building maintenance.

What Auditors Typically Look For

• Birds, droppings, feathers, or nests inside production, packaging, or storage areas.
• Nesting on canopies, dock ledges, and signs near entry points.
• Gaps around doors, vents, and roof penetrations where birds get in.
• A written pest program that names birds and the methods used.
• Inspection logs, service reports, and documented corrective actions.

Building an Audit-Ready Bird Program

• Assessment — map where birds roost, nest, and enter the building.
• Exclusion — netting over docks and canopies, spikes or wire on ledges, sealed openings.
• Removal — humane removal of birds already inside.
• Sanitation — cleanup and disinfection of affected areas.
• Documentation — device maps and service reports ready for your auditor.
• Inspection — scheduled checks so devices stay intact between audits.