by Toni Clarke, Reuters (via The Chicago Tribune)

A sign for pharmaceutical compounding company NECC, a producer of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate, is seen in Framingham, Massachusetts. (Image credit: Jessica Rinaldi, Reuters)

(Reuters) – U.S. health inspectors found bugs, a flying bird and other unsterile conditions at Ameridose LLC, an affiliate of the Massachusetts compounding pharmacy at the heart of the deadly meningitis outbreak.

Westborough, Massachusetts-based Ameridose was closed on October 10 to allow state and federal investigators to inspect its facilities. On Monday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the results of its investigation.

The agency’s report details a list of quality control failures at Ameridose, including a failure to test the potency of its products, a failure to properly classify patient complaints and the use of “vague, canned language” when describing negative patient reactions to its drugs.

The company, an affiliate of the New England Compounding Center, said it is in the process of preparing a full response to the FDA.

“Ameridose’s history shows clearly that we have not had any instance of contaminated products over the course of the past six years, which covers the manufacture and shipment of 70 million units of product,” the company said in a statement. “Ameridose is committed to addressing all observations in order to enhance our existing systems.”

The investigation of Ameridose follows the closure of the NECC, which distributed thousands of vials of a steroid linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis that has hit 19 states and claimed 32 lives.

Inspectors found that Ameridose failed to investigate customer complaints related to drug potency, under-filled products and syringe volumes. It also failed to classify “patient response” complaints as “adverse events.”

Several such complains referred to the drug oxytocin, used to induce labor in childbirth. One referred to “fetal distress and hyper stimulated uterus.” Another customer called to report an increase in post-partum hemorrhaging. Another reported that a patient had shortness of breath and that “the throat was closing.”

A complaint related to the painkiller fentanyl noted that the patient was “oversedated” and “unresponsive.” Another patient given the blood-thinner heparin experienced a “life-threatening” negative reaction.

Inspectors said buildings used to make, process, pack and hold the drugs were not maintained in a good state of repair. The firm failed to perform a microbiological assessment after “penetrating leaks” were found in a building and water dripping above the clean room.

“During the inspection we observed totes placed in the location of the penetrating leaks containing water,” the inspection report noted. “There is no documented evidence that the leaks were permanently corrected.”

Walls were cracked, corroded and covered with what appeared to be adhesive material in a room where sterile drugs are prepared, the report noted.

Equipment and utensils were not cleaned or sanitized at appropriate intervals to prevent contamination that could alter the safety, identity, quality or purity of the drugs, according to the report.

Certain metal surfaces “were observed to contain what appeared to be brownish structures, atypical in shape,” the report noted.

Moreover, the buildings used “are not free of infestation by rodents, birds, insects and other vermin,” the report said.

Specifically, insects were located in an area where finished sterile product is packaged and stored. The insects were also located within three to 10 feet of the controlled area where sterile products are manufactured.

At least one bird was observed flying in an area where sterile finished product is packaged and stored.

On Friday, Ameridose, which has the same owners as NECC, said it would lay off about 90 percent of its work force. About 650 employees at Ameridose will be affected, as well as 140 employees at Medical Sales Management, a company that provides sales, technology and human resources support to Ameridose.

Bird strikes at airports are not uncommon and can end in tragedy. The Telegraph recently reported a plane crash in Napal that took the lives of 19 people when a vulture flew into one of the engines as the plane was taking off. Tragedies like these underscore the importance of effective bird control.

Civil Aviation Authority officials noted that the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after the plane’s front engine had been hit by a bird and ceased to function. After trying to start a second engine, the damaged engine burst into flames. When the pilot attempted to land in the nearby Monahara River (to snuff out the flames), the plane crashed into a soccer fi eld on the riverbank and was engulfed in thick, black flames. The plane crashed just 500 meters from the airport. Luckily no one was on the ground in the plane’s path. It took firefighters over 40 minutes to extinguish the flames.

It was later determined that the bird was not sucked into the engine, but hit the right side propeller. A local engineer noted that 90 percent of bird strikes occur during ta keoff. Bird collisions can result in aircraft damage, especially if the bird is large and is ingested into a jet engine. In this case, a bird will damage a fan blade in the engine, which causes adjacent blades to displace and impact all the blades in the engine. Without effective bird control measures, airports are literally at the mercy of pest birds. 

Keeping Aircraft Hangars Bird Free With Bird Netting

Since most aircraft hangars are wide open during operating hours, birds can easily flock around door openings, overhangs, eaves, canopies, support beams and other lofty areas. Birds attracted to hangars include European starlings, house sparrows and pigeons. Once they begin to nest inside, their droppings and nesting materials can easily fall onto aircraft engines, maintenance  and testing areas, and parts storage bays. Parts contaminated with bird debris can fail during testing and even cause mishaps during flight. Workers can also slip and fall on bird droppings.

One popular bird deterrent currently used to keep birds out of aircraft hangars is Heavy Duty Bird Netting.  Correctly installed by Authorized Bird Control Installers, bird netting effectively prevents birds from accessing sensitive areas.  Heavy duty bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes. To block out pigeons or seagulls, consider using 1-1/8- to 2-inch mesh size netting. To seal out smaller birds like sparrows, a 3/4-inch mesh netting is recommended.

Bird control experts will tell you that it’s important to specify high quality netting. The best heavy duty netting is made of high-strength polyethylene. One manufacturer offers netting that has a burst strength of up to 40 pounds. It meets ISO 1806 and 9001 protocols, is UV stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. The best netting will have a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point and will also remain intact in “sub-zero” temperatures. This netting is black, comes with a 10-year guarantee and is virtually invisible when properly installed.

Installing heavy duty netting in aircraft hangars should be done properly by Authorized Bird Control Installers. Such installations typically require thousands of square feet of netting. For example, to properly install the netting horizontally across an entire hangar ceiling, special boom lifts and power gear are required. Improperly installed netting can droop and sag, allowing birds to enter through spaces.

Heavy Duty Pond Netting for Wetland Areas

Properly installed, Heavy Duty Pond Netting creates a physical barrier that prevents migratory birds from landing in ponds or other water areas around aviation facilities. The netting is made from a durable, UV-stabilized Dupont® knotted mesh nylon and designed for prolonged use in harsh environments. The netting comes in large stock sizes and custom cuts. Mesh sizes vary from 3/4” to 4” to exclude a variety of large and medium sized migrating birds.

Avian Control™ Bird Repellent

Ideal for repelling birds from large expansive areas like airports, Avian Control™ Bird Repellent is a non-toxic solution that discourages geese, gulls ducks starlings and other birds from gathering and grazing.  Avian Control’s unique patent pending formula irritates the mucous membranes of birds, yet it’s harmless to birds, pets and people (all ingredients are considered “Generally Regarded As Safe” by the FDA). It lasts up to three times longer than other goose deterrents. The repellent can be sprayed and is highly economical when fogged (fogging uses just 12 to 16 ounces per acre). Avian Control™ should be applied by a licensed pest control operator.

For additional advice on how to prevent bird strikes at your airport, consult an expert like the folks at Bird-B-Gone.

Article Shared From: St Augustine.com

Mission Viejo CA – Bird-B-Gone, Inc. would like to announce the addition of a new product, The Repeller 360°.

The Repeller 360° is a physical bird deterrent that rotates in the wind to deter large birds from landing on unwanted areas such as solar panels, A.C. units, rooftops, exterior building equipment and more.

Covering a 6 ft diameter, the Repeller 360° features reflective “predator eyes” to confuse and scare birds from coming near the protected area. The rotating arms work to “sweep” birds off surfaces, while the reflective predator eyes create a visual scare zone that birds will want to avoid.
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Article Shared From: The Star Herald

Written By: MAUNETTE LOEKS Staff Reporter

Article Written By: Alex Kecskes 

If you’re a Facilities or Maintenance Manager, you need to keep your industrial facility clean and your repair and maintenance costs to a minimum. If you have pest bird problems, they can pose a challenge—unless you implement some effective bird control measures. Pest birds can become a costly nuisance, both inside and outside various types of industrial structures. From slippery loading docks to jammed up skylights on manufacturing roofs, pest birds can cause you all sorts of grief.

As a Facilities Manager, the buck stops with you when it comes to getting rid of pest birds. Adopting an effective bird deterrent strategy can save your maintenance crews from doing constant cleanups and repairs on expensive AC units, rooftop ventillators and other equipment in and around your facility.
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Bridge pigeons’ days are numbered 

Article Shared From: The Otago Daily Times / NZ

Written By: Sarah Marquet

Pigeon poo is threatening the Alexandra bridge across the Clutha River, so the birds have to go.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) senior asset manager John Jarvis said the bridge’s structural steel was being corroded and, while it was not an immediate safety risk, action was needed to reduce the 400-strong flock of resident pigeons so damaged areas could be repaired.

The corrosion mostly affected the surface, but there were also some cases of pitting. (more…)

Bird-B-Gone, Inc. is the #1 specified bird control company by architects, engineers and government agencies. Since 1992, we have worked closely with the AEC industry in both the design and implementation of effective, humane and cost efficient bird control solutions. Our products are specified on building projects on a regular basis. The AEC industry has for several decades been aware of the damage birds can cause to buildings and architectural features and work proactively to ensure their designs are protected.

We provide architectural specifications, CAD and BIM details on our products and have a dedicated team of bird control specialists who can help specify bird control, or help installers get the information they need when bidding on a project. We also have an extensive network of professional bird control installers for recommendation.

Architects, Engineers and Installers rest assured knowing Bird-B-Gone’s high quality professional grade bird control products are manufactured in the USA and carry industry leading guarantees. Our products have proven success and are built for commercial and industrial use. One of our motto’s is “no gimmicks, just products that work”.

You can contact our on staff Architectural expert, Jeff Watts, directly at jeff@birdbgone.com with any questions. Read About Jeff’s involvement with the AEC industry for the past 10 years on our “Ask an Expert” page HERE

Written By: Alex Kecskes

Running a commercial business in these tough economic times can be a real challenge. Profit margins are slim, and the last thing you need is repair and maintenance costs to go up. But that can happen if you don’t have a bird control strategy. One that keeps pest birds out of signs, rooftop AC units, rain gutters and other elevated areas.

Birds nesting in your signage, for example, can cause electrical shorts and, in some cases, fires. Bird nests, feathers and related debris can also choke up exhaust fans and AC compressors. When birds build nests in your rain gutters during the summer, winter rains will produce overflows that can damage roofs.

Bird Spikes are an effective way to prevent birds from landing or roosting on your business. There are, however, many different varieties of bird spikes available in today’s market. Some are better suited for commercial businesses than others, as some bird spikes sold online are flimsy, require assembly and are not guaranteed.  (more…)

Article Shared From: The Watchung-Greenbook Patch

Written By: Eric Haftel June 5, 2012

A Small English Community Calls for Bird Control Measures

Article Shared From: Braintree and Witham Times

Drastic action is being called for to clean up a street covered in pigeon droppings.

Guithavon Street, in Witham, has been condemned as “filthy” by businesses, shoppers and councillors.

Although Braintree Council cleans the pavements, it insists that pigeon control is the responsibility of those who own and lease property in the road.

Read more in this week’s Witham and Braintree Times.

Written By: Meredith Walako/ Bird-B-Gone, Inc. 5-25-12

Bird Spikes, they were invented in the 1940′s and have since become a staple tool in bird control. While they’re not quite a household name or known product, many professionals have familiarized themselves with the concept. And though there have been several advancements in bird deterrents since, such as automatic remote hazing units and electric track systems, Bird Spikes still play an important role in deterring birds. It’s a simple product with very effective results, as long as they are used for what they are designed for.

Bird Spikes are a physical bird deterrent used to prevent birds from landing in unwanted areas. The Spikes are not sharp, and not designed to harm birds. They simply create an uneven landing space that large birds cannot land on. Bird-B-Gone is the only bird control company that manufactures their bird spikes in the USA, ensuring they meet the highest standard of quality in the industry.

Bird Spikes, just like any other wildlife, pest or bird control product are designed for specific situations and species. Birds are smart and adaptable -  finding the right product that fits your scenario is key in successful pest bird exclusion. The species of bird, the area they are causing a problem and whether or not the birds are nesting will dictate whether they are a viable option. In other words, Bird Spikes are not 100% effective everywhere they are installed, there are many pest bird scenarios that require a completely different solution. (more…)

Bird-B-Gone University is a FREE training course

designed to teach the basics of bird control .  

We apologize for any inconvenience! The next scheduled Bird-B-Gone University class has been re-scheduled for June 29th. Email Chris Fields – chris@birdbgone.com if you need to make changes to your RSVP – or would like to attend this class.   (more…)

Ultrasonic Bird Control? Don’t Throw Your Money Away! 

Written By: Rob Fergus, Ph.D.

Sometimes hardware or lawn & garden companies advertise ultrasonic devices that are supposed to drive birds away with high frequency noises undetectable to humans.  Sounds like a good idea, right?  Blast out sounds birds can hear but we can’t—what’s not to like?  Unfortunately, the truth is that birds do not actually hear these ultrasonic sounds any better than humans do, and there is no scientific evidence that these devices actually work. The bottom line is that birds cannot hear ultrasonic frequencies and ultrasonic devices don’t work.

Humans hear sounds between the frequencies of about 20 to 20,000 acoustical vibrations per second (hertz or Hz).  Middle C is about 262 Hz and the highest piano key (C8) is about 4186 Hz.   As you get older, you lose the higher frequency sounds; middle-aged people can often hear sounds only up to 12,000-14,000 Hz (12-14kHz).  High frequency dog whistles work because dogs can hear sounds up to 40-60 kHz.  Bats use sounds up to 100 kHz to help them locate their flying insect prey and avoid obstacles in the night sky.  (more…)

From Bird-B-Gone: We wrote this article a few years back but feel it is still very relevant in the world of bird control.  At Bird-B-Gone it is our goal to offer realistic advice when it comes to deterring birds commercial, industrial or residential settings. If you have a bird problem at your facility, please contact us at 1-800-392-6915 or email nobirds@birdbgone.com for advice.

Bird Control is an INVESTMENT? Pest Birds Cost Businesses Every Year

Bird Control?  Why should we care about pest birds?  It seems the latest issue concerning property management and building maintenance companies is Pest Birds.  Every year millions of dollars are spent cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, sea gulls, crows and other urban birds.  Not only are these problems unsightly, but also pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases.  Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits.  Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons.
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From The UC Davis Website:

“Peer-reviewed research is the gold standard of mainstream science. A peer-reviewed article has been critically read and reviewed by trained scientists. Peers are given the opportunity to anonymously comment on the adequacy of the experimental design and the validity of the conclusions that are drawn from the scientific work under review. The publication of research in a peer-reviewed journal means that the article has passed the scrutiny of fellow scientists. Studies that have not been through peer-review are not necessarily flawed, but peers have not been given the opportunity to judge the scientific merit of the results that are derived from such studies. “

Recently we published an article about the ineffectiveness of Ultrasonic Bird Deterrents, written by our well qualified in house Ornithologist and based on peer reviewed studies from the USDA, Universities and other qualified sources. This article has been criticized based on one scientists un-reviewed findings. We decided to list our resources to show the studies that support our assertion that ultrasonic bird deterrents are ineffective at deterring birds: (more…)

Written By: Meredith Walako

Bird Deterrents are designed to humanely deter birds from landing or nesting in unwanted areas. However, improper installation or misuse of products can lead to undesirable results that can potentially harm birds while also not being effective at deterring them in the first place.

Not every product works for every bird problem and certain products require care and planning to be successful. This is why it’s important to hire or consult a professional when dealing with a pest bird problem on your home or property.

From the installers perspective, improper installation can be a liability. Bad press, lawsuits and more can ensure if birds or humans are negatively impacted due to improper usage or installation.

Avoid claims that a product will work “100%” of the time. Most seasoned bird control professionals know there is nothing further from the truth. Choosing the correct product depends on the type of bird, the area its posing a problem and whether the birds are nesting or not. Other times, one type of product may not be enough – integrated solutions – using multiple products in conjunction with each other may work best for difficult bird problems.

There have been some recent news articles that have highlighted the negative impact of using bird deterrents improperly. Here are just a few with examples of what could have / should have been done in the first place. (more…)

Written By: Alex Kecskes 

Spring is here and pest birds will be looking for a place to roost and nest. Better hope they don’t land on your property. If they do, you’re in for some major headaches.  For once they’ve settled on your commercial building or warehouse, hello expensive cleanups and repairs and goodbye peace and quiet. Here ‘s just one problem you’ll be facing if pest birds get the upper hand–and one way you can prevent it.

Problem: When pest birds lay claim to your commercial  property, they’ll nest, eat and poop. This poop is not just unsightly, the acid produced by the fungi that live in bird droppings can corrode metal and erode stone. It can jam up windows, doors, rooftop ventilators and skylights. Bird droppings can also block out those skylights. And it can render security cameras inoperative.  In fact, if allowed to collect, bird droppings can damage expensive A.C. units (you know how costly they are).

To keep up with birds and their droppings, you’ll have to hire expensive cleaning crews. Bird nests and droppings can also clog gutters and down pipes, causing rooftops to overflow with water. Some roof sections have actually collapsed due to bird damage. (more…)

Article Shared From: TriValleyCentral.com

Courtesy of a Mission Royale resident, Pigeons leave quite a mess on the roofs of some Mission Royale homes last month in Casa Grande.

Written By: Melissa St. Aude

“It’s a major problem,” Roorda said. “And it’s getting worse. The mess they leave behind is sickening.”
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Written By: Fran Prisco

Each year thousands of Golf Courses, Parks, Green Belts, Back Yards, Baseball Fields and even cemeteries are inundated with messy, slippery Canada Goose droppings.   Canada Geese can be found on any type of grassy area that surrounds water, from backyard ponds, to large lakes and rivers.  They breed throughout North America. Spring migration usually starts in late winter and will take several weeks to complete.  The fall migration will begin when the water and soil begins to freeze.  Geese feed mainly on land grazing on grassy plants and our lawns.  In the spring and summer they can feed for up to 12 hours a day.  This extended feeding leads to a lot of waste; a goose produces up to a pound of droppings a day.  Multiply that by hundreds of geese and you have a big problem with goose droppings.  This can lead to public health concerns in parks, golf courses, and other public areas.

One method of goose control are goose sound deterrents. (more…)