At Brussels Airport, effective bird control is a vital component of aviation safety. One of the primary challenges in this regard is managing the presence of waterbirds, which pose a risk of bird strikes, particularly around the airport’s water reservoirs.
To mitigate this risk, the airport has adopted an innovative bird control solution: Bird Balls™ – non-toxic, black plastic spheres that float on the surface of water bodies. By covering the water surface, they deter birds from landing and nesting, effectively reducing the attraction of waterbirds to the site.
One of the key benefits of Bird Balls™ is their simple and fast installation, requiring no major infrastructure or technical systems. Once deployed, the system is virtually maintenance-free, saving time and resources in the long term. Because they float freely, the balls adjust automatically to fluctuating water levels and remain in a closed, effective formation, even around ventilators, floating debris, or inlets and outlets.
In addition to bird control, Bird Balls™ offer several environmental advantages:
- Reduced algae growth due to limited light penetration
- Prevention of surface freezing in cold weather
- No disruption from snowfall – snow simply fills the gaps between the balls
- Decreased water evaporation, helping conserve valuable water resources
By implementing Bird Balls™, Brussels Airport not only enhances flight safety but also contributes to sustainable environmental management. The solution exemplifies a smart, low-impact approach to both wildlife control and resource conservation.
