CASE STUDIES
Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff Co Cavan.
About:
Liffey meats is one of Ireland’s most modern and progressive beef processors. They are situated in the centre of Ireland’s finest grasslands where they have built up a formidable supplier base from quality assured farms which guarantee complete traceability and excellent beef.
Problem:
Liffey meats had several issues with regards to birds, in and around their meat factory in County Cavan, these birds were fowling on transport trucks and grew to such large numbers they could have caused a health and safety issue with Liffey meats being a food producer had Verminator not eradicated the problem.
Solution:
A culling program was introduced with large numbers of these offending birds taken out using a shotgun and decoying devices, traps were also used to catch the offenders. After a series of shoots, a sound system was introduced to ensure that this problem could not occur again. For the next year regular visits were made to the site to observe bird behaviour in the area and maintain bird control program.
National Parks and wildlife Service
Predator control contractor working in the Shannon Callows region protecting the breeding sites for waders such as Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing and Corncrake.
Liffey Mills, Banagher Co Offaly.
About:
Liffey Mills is a leading grain and agricultural merchant. With over 70 years’ experience their business is closely integrated with the farming community across Ireland. With a team of agronomists, nutritionists and feed specialists with years of both academic and practical experience their aim is to deliver superior quality products that maximise profit for their customers.
Problem:
Liffey mills in Banagher County Offaly had large amounts of feral pigeons, in and around the mill, the problem had been largely ignored for many seasons and a substantial number of birds had grown accustomed to feeding in and around the mill and yard.
Solution:
Having found the location of where these problem birds were roosting at night, we then were granted permission from the property owner to remove these birds during the night using night vision equipment and low velocity air rifle. The particular air rifle we use has three different power settings, when using this firearm in for example sheds, the power may be turned down to ensure that no damage is done to any roofing or wall materials like galvanize or cladding. Having then acquired a special 20 gauge moderated shotgun, as this mill is located on the edge of a town, problem birds were also taken out in the yard also when safe to do so. Approximately 1600 to 1800 birds were dispatched through the duration of this job
Southern Milling, Marina Mills, Co Cork.
About:
Southern Milling is the largest milling company in the south of Ireland. A specialist milling company which produces high performance compound Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Pig and Poultry feeds, at its manufacturing plant in Cork.
Problem:
We were contacted by Peter Creedon (operations manager) to say he had a large problem with feral pigeons. Huge numbers of birds were coming from Cork city approximately 2km away, and feeding in and around the mill. On instruction from the department of agriculture, southern milling were told to do address this problem, with the birds feeding in the grain stores and congregating on neighbouring buildings causing serious fowling and health and safety issues. We estimated there to be somewhere in the region of 6000 feral pigeons visiting the area twice on a daily basis.
Solution:
Having initially carried out a site survey, I was able to comprehend that the birds were feeding in two yards, I then put a plan, proposal and costing together and presented it to Southern Milling. This plan included the cooperation of a neighbouring Milling business that Southern Milling had close links to, R & H Hall, we contacted Brian Holland (operations manager R & H Hall, Cork) and explained how we needed to use Halls yard, he was very cooperative as this would be very beneficial to Halls also. R & H Halls yard and facilities were used in order to trap birds in large numbers, while Southern Millings yard was used to shoot and drive the birds out, and into the other yard. In an eight week period of weekend work only (yards were very busy during work days), 4,500 birds approximately were dispatched between the use of our own specially developed traps and shooting using a low velocity air rifle.
H. Roche & Sons LTD, Dock RD Limerick.
March 2013 to present.
About:
Roche’s feeds, Limerick, is one of the last family owned feed mills in the country. The company has developed its business from a small manufacturing unit doing 21,000 tonnes per annum in 1994 and employing 18 staff, to a company which is now one of the leading suppliers of Animal Feed, projected to manufacture 130,000 tonnes in 2012 and at present employing 40 staff.
Problem:
Huge numbers of feral pigeons were coming from Limerick city and feeding in and around the mill, and contaminating many different types of food stuffs in the stores. This problem had largely been ignored over the years but it came to a point where it could not be ignored anymore due to health and safety issues and Verminator was called to relieve the problem. The mill manager Peter Roche employed Verminator to play two roles, firstly to get rid of the resident flock which were feeding in the mill, and secondly to maintain a level of protection which is ongoing to this very day. Approximately 2000 feral pigeons were visiting the mill twice daily.
Solution:
Large batches of pigeons were enticed into the mill and when the numbers were great enough the door was closed subsequently trapping the birds, then they were dispatched using a low velocity air rifle. After a period of three full days a large number of birds were dispatched approximately 2000. Once a month Verminator visited the mill to ensure the problem was still in control.
Gurteen Agricultural College, Ballingarry, Roscre, County Tipperary.
Jan 2012 to present (2015)
About:
The Agricultural College is situated in the heart of Ireland and provides education in pleasant surroundings.
Problem:
Verminator approached farm manager Wray Platt having noticed large numbers of birds in and around their yard and cattle food pits. This job was quite different to many others having an equestrian centre on the farm.
Solution:
A sound system was introduced, starting from a good distance away from the farm, gradually moving closer to the farm on a weekly basis, this allowed the animals such as horses and cattle to become acclimatised to the noise, eventually the sound system was close enough thus keeping the birds at bay training them to feed elsewhere, or in their natural habitat whilst keeping the farm animals comfortable. Visits were then arranged on a monthly basis to ensure the problem was kept under control on an ongoing basis to this day.
Euro-Med Ireland Logistics LTD, Ringaskiddy, County Cork.
Dec 2013, to present.
About:
Euro-Med Ireland Logistics Limited was set up on Wed the 10th of Nov 1999 in Co Cork and inspired the establishment of a logistics company partnership between Grimaldi and Ocean & General and Euromed Ireland Logistics Ltd. Euro-Med handles all new cars imported into Ireland, stores and distributes them.
Problem:
Verminator received a call from Renee Madal (operations manager Euromed) in November 2013, he informed us that there was a major problem with crows in their compound where new cars are stored in the open air. The problem was urgent so the very next day it was inspected, it was observed that Grey hooded crows were picking up muscles off the nearby beach, flying over the compound and dropping them on the cars to break the shells, causing thousands in damages. There was approximately 250 to 300 grey hooded crows displaying this behaviour.
Solution:
A plan was put forward after having met the local wildlife ranger and being granted the necessary licences. The licence was granted within days due to the urgency of the situation. A particular are of the compound was chosen to decoy these problem birds, these birds were then shot using a moderated 20 gauge shotgun so as not to alert the locals as the compound is in close proximity to the village of Ringaskiddy. The shooting took place over a period of one week using artificial decoys, many of these problem birds were shot until the remaining knew it was not safe and choose other places to feed, thus relieving the problem.