A well-established restaurant in Sainte-Catherine, on the South Shore, faced a tricky situation when pigeons began frequenting the outdoor patio and delivery areas at the back of the establishment. The droppings on the tables and chairs on the terrace repelled customers, and the presence of birds near the service entrance raised legitimate concerns about compliance with MAPAQ food hygiene standards. Our team was hired to provide a quick and discreet solution, compatible with the establishment’s neat image. Located not far from Chambly, this restaurant welcomes a loyal clientele who demand a clean and pleasant environment.
Assessing areas at risk in a restoration context
Our technician conducted a full inspection outside of business hours. The assessment covered the terrace and its awning, the main façade, the delivery reception area, the kitchen ventilation ducts and the garbage area at the back. Pigeons mainly used the edge of the patio awning as a daytime perching point and accessed kitchen ventilation ducts through inadequately protected openings.
The proximity of food sources, including organic waste containers and cleaning residues around the delivery area, was one of the main pull factors. An effective pest bird control program in a restaurant must not only deploy deterrents, but also address pull factors to achieve sustainable results.
Installation of deterrents on the terrace
To preserve the aesthetics of the deck, we opted for a stainless steel tensioned cable system rather than exposed spikes. The cables were discreetly fixed under the edge of the awning, along the structure, at regular intervals. This system, which is almost invisible from the dining room, creates an unstable surface for pigeons without altering the appearance of the establishment, which the owner wanted to preserve.
On the main façade, the window sills have been equipped with particularly discreet transparent polycarbonate anti-perch spikes. At the rear, the kitchen ventilation ducts were protected by ventilation caps equipped with fine-mesh stainless steel grilles, preventing intrusion while maintaining the airflow necessary for the hoods to operate.
We also recommended changes to waste management: hermetic sealing of organic waste containers and daily cleaning of the delivery area. These simple operational adjustments significantly reduce the attractiveness of the site for birds and other pests. A structured pest prevention plan has been given to the facility manager.
Cleaning and disinfection of the terrace
The terrace and its immediate surroundings were thoroughly cleaned after the installation of the devices. The tables, chairs and flooring were washed with hot water and then disinfected with a bactericidal product suitable for surfaces in contact with food areas. Particular attention was paid to the joints between the slabs and to the nooks and crannies where droppings may have accumulated over several seasons.
The window sills and the façade were also cleaned. The entire cleaning operation took place on a Monday morning, the day the establishment was closed, so as not to disrupt the service and to allow the restaurant to open on Tuesday in a fully sanitized environment.
Results achieved and follow-up
The results were seen as soon as the terrace reopened. The pigeons, no longer finding a favourable perching surface on the awning and the façade, have stopped frequenting the immediate surroundings of the restaurant. Patio guests no longer reported any disturbing birds, and the delivery area remained clean thanks to new waste management practices.
For comparable examples, see our work in another restaurant on the South Shore and our intervention against starlings near a food store. Trusting our professional extermination team to protect your establishment means choosing a methodical, discreet approach adapted to the requirements of public reception environments.