 OvoControl
 OvoControl
is a non-lethal and humane approach to controlling pigeon populations.
It effectively decreases the hatchability of pigeon eggs by feeding
treated bait during the pigeon's reproductive season.
The effects of OvoControl are fully reversible and the manufacturer has
designed a controlled baiting program that virtually eliminates any impact
on non target birds. This is just a great product that will
complement other programs of bird
population management such as habitat modification and/or the use
of physical barriers. In addition, detailed studies on the
environment and on other animals and humans indicate no effects.
Furthermore, the hatchability of eggs from a bird of prey, such as a
falcon, will not be affected by consuming treated pigeons.
This new technology is ideal for wide area sites where some pigeons can be
tolerated. Manufacturing facilities, transportation hubs, urban areas,
hotels, schools and airports are typical application areas for OvoControl.
Give us a call today at 294-6601, and see if OvoControl will
work for your situation.
These are the most Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for the use of OvoControl.
1. What exactly is OvoControl P?
OvoControl-P is a product specially formulated to help control
the hatchability of eggs from feral pigeons. The active ingredient
is nicarbazin, originally used as a drug to control an enteric
disease in chickens and now developed as a hatch control technology
for pigeons.
2. How does OvoControl P work and how does it affect
hatchability?
OvoControl interferes with the development of the vitaline
layer separating the egg white and yolk. This membrane is vital to
the viability of the egg and without it the egg cannot develop or
hatch.
3. Does the use of OvoControl P in pigeons require a permit from
F&WS?
Feral pigeons are considered an invasive species and not
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. No permit is required
by F&WS. Check with your local authorities to determine if any other
permits may be required.
4. What does OvoControl P cost?
Depending on the distribution channel, the cost of OvoControl is
approximately $16.80/lb.
5. What are the opinions of animal welfare groups to OvoControl P?
The Humane Society o1f the United States, PETA as well as other
animal welfare groups support the use of non-lethal technology to
moderate the populations of feral pigeons. Left unchecked, pigeon
numbers in a local flock can grow very rapidly. OvoControl egg hatch
control technology enhances the quality of life for pigeon populations
while controlling their numbers. The effects of OvoControl are
analogous to spaying and castration programs in dogs and cats, except
that OvoControl is reversible.
6. Can pigeons consume so much bait that they get too high a dose
of OvoControl P?
No. A single day dose that would be 3 to 4 times the anticipated
dose of OvoControl would not produce any toxic effects. In the event
that this did occur, the result would be that blood levels of
nicarbazin would be increased and absorption of the nicarbazin in the
yolk of the egg would also be increased.
7. What happens if a raptor consumes a pigeon that has been treated
with OvoControl P? Will the raptor’s eggs also not hatch?
Fortunately, the chemistry of the active ingredient assures that
there is an extraordinarily low risk of any effect on a raptor. To
have an effect, the bird MUST consume the bait – raptors enjoy fresh
meat and fish, not OvoControl bait. Once OvoControl is digested and
absorbed, it is no longer biologically available to another bird.
There is effectively no risk of secondary toxicity.
8. How quickly is the active ingredient, nicarbazin, eliminated
from soil and the environment?
Carbon 14-labeled nicarbazin studies have shown that the half-life
of nicarbazin in the soil is approximately 49 weeks in field soil and
18 weeks in greenhouse soil. The increased rate of degradation in
greenhouse soil is likely related to increased temperatures maintained
in the greenhouse. Studies of labeled nicarbazin in field soil plots
have shown that the nicarbazin incorporated into the upper 3 inches of
soil does not leach through the soil beyond 6 inches in depth and
slowly degrades over time.
9. OvoControl could get into the aquatic systems through unconsumed
bait or pigeon feces. What will happen to OvoControl P once it enters
aquatic environments?
Nicarbazin as a complex has poor solubility in water. As nicarbazin
goes into solution it dissociates into DNC and HDP. HDP facilitates
the absorption of DNC in the gut. Nicarbazin is excreted as DNC and
HDP; DNC excreted in the form of pigeon feces would not be well
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and would pass through the
animal with very minimal absorption.
10. What can you expect in terms of feral pigeon population control
following the first year of use?
Under ideal conditions, with all pigeons in the area consuming the
appropriate dose during the breeding season the expected outcome is no
new pigeons. The average lifespan of a pigeon is 2 to 4 years,
although the population turnover through predation and disease is very
high. The objective for OvoControl is to minimize the hatchability of
pigeon eggs. Studies conducted in Italy, show a declining population
of pigeons with the lower population density dominated by adult birds.
11. Will the pigeon still lay an egg(s)?
It is quite likely that each female pigeon will still lay one or
two eggs. If the OvoControl dose is high enough and the blood DNC
levels are high enough, fewer eggs than normal may be laid. OvoControl
mainly works to reduce hatching of the eggs that are laid. This is
actually a beneficial effect, as the pigeon will stay at the original
nest and incubate the egg(s) rather than leaving the site and starting
a new nest elsewhere.
12. How long does it take for the effect of OvoControl P to wear
off?
OvoControl must be consumed for several days to achieve blood
levels that affect the hatchability of eggs that are forming.
Nicarbazin is undetectable in the plasma 4-6 days after consumption of
the OvoControl bait has stopped. Once the level of DNC falls by
approximately one half its peak levels, the effect on egg being formed
has almost disappeared.
13. What advantage does OvoControl P have over other chemical
control programs?
Use of OvoControl allows for the reduction in hatching of eggs laid
by treated pigeons without requiring lethal control.
14. When do you start and stop using OvoControl P?
OvoControl baiting can begin at anytime during the reproductive
season. Pigeon reproduction is concentrated in the spring through
fall, although depending on the climate; they can reproduce throughout
the year. With adequate food, water and nesting sites, pigeons can
hatch eggs as often as every 6 weeks.
15. Is there a pre-baiting period?
No. Since OvoControl is not toxic, there is no requirement for a
pre-baiting period. Nevertheless, some customers prefer to pre-bait,
especially with a pigeon population which have been acclimated to high
quality seeds and grains. These birds are generally more difficult to
switch to OvoControl P.
16. Where should the bait be broadcast or feeders located?
Ideally, bait is offered at dawn on urban rooftops in the areas
where pigeons are nesting or feeding.
17. Do the baiting sites need to be monitored?
OvoControl is offered in the early morning on a daily basis.
Initially, each site is observed for approximately one hour to ensure
that pigeons are eating the bait. With automated feeders, baiting can
be preprogrammed to dispense the appropriate amount of bait once or
twice a day, with weekly inspections to observe feeding behavior and
to refill the bait. Some applicators are using automated cameras to
supplement monitoring.
18. Who will be allowed to use the product?
The product is intended for use by licensed businesses (Pest
Control Operators), government agencies and municipalities for the
control of feral pigeon populations.
19. Since this product will be delivered under free-feeding
conditions, how can you be sure you are not over- or under-dosing the
pigeons with OvoControl P?
It is very difficult to administer exact doses of OvoControl under
free-feeding conditions such as those that will exist using broadcast
application. However, OvoControl has been shown to have a wide margin
of safety and efficacy.
20. Can you skip a day or two of bait and still get the desired
effect? If the pigeon skips eating for a day or two, what happens?
The ideal situation would be that each pigeon consumes 5 grams of
bait each day. Bait should be available every day to maximize the
chances of the pigeons getting their daily dose of OvoControl. There
appears to be a threshold level of DNC in the blood required to affect
hatchability of the eggs formed during that time period. If a pigeon
doesn’t eat the bait for a day or two, it is likely that the DNC
levels in the blood will fall and may fall below the level required to
affect hatchability. The DNC levels in the blood will rise again when
the pigeon consumes more bait, and the eggs formed during the time
when the DNC levels are high again would be affected and may not
hatch.
21. How will you prevent other birds from consuming OvoControl P?
(i.e., starlings, house sparrows, songbirds, raptors, etc.)
All avians are considered sensitive to the product. OvoControl has
therefore been designed to limit non-target exposure to birds. There
are five techniques employed:
- The bait is relatively large, suitable for a pigeon
but not to the average songbird. The bait has low oil content.
- The bait is fed on a restricted basis—roughly
5gm/bird, or roughly 15% of the pigeon’s daily dry matter intake—at
the crack of dawn, in the general vicinity of the overnighting
birds. Experience shows that once the pigeons are habituated to the
bait, it is consumed in 15 minutes or less leaving little
opportunity for non-target feeding.
- Pigeons are flocking birds. Feeders are placed on
rooftops where the risk of non-target exposure is limited.
- A daily dose is required during the breeding
season. It is possible that a non-target receives a dose from
time-to-time, but periodic observation by the applicator ensures
that OvoControl is reaching the target population.
- Raptors will not consume bread based bait.
22. How does the pigeon breeding season compare to other bird
species?
Depending on climatic conditions, pigeons can breed year round.
23. What is the effect on non-target mammals?
Based on the very limited exposure potential, studies in non-target
mammalian wildlife have not been conducted although nicarbazin has
very little effect on mammals. Adverse effects that have been noted in
mammals have been observed only after long-term treatment of one year
or longer. OvoControl is considered “practically non-toxic” by EPA.
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