Pest manager Shane Conzen shares his insights of working in the bird control sector, giving advice on his go-to products.
Snapshot: Affordable Pest Control
Shane Conzen’s father started Affordable Pest Control in the early 2000s as a small weekend venture. However, after leaving school, Shane Conzen saw that there was real potential to turn his father’s side business into a full-time operation. That’s when they decided to ramp things up by investing in marketing and building a stronger brand.
Over time, Affordable Pest Control has grown from a small, family-run weekend business into a full-scale pest control company. Mr Conzen officially took over his father’s business in 2019 and today the team comprises four fully licensed technicians on the road, along with one trainee who’s learning the ropes. Two office administration staff manage the day-to-day operations and customer enquiries while Mr Conzen’s wife helps with various aspects of the business.
“Altogether, there are eight of us, and we operate like a close-knit family. Having a small, dedicated team means we can be agile and responsive to our clients’ needs, but it also means every person plays a vital role in the success of the company,” Mr Conzen said.
The company services a wide area, stretching from Helensburgh down to Batemans Bay. A major contract will take the team as far as the Victorian border starting in 2025, which is a big business milestone.
“Covering such a large region means we’re able to bring our epertise to both rural and urban areas, ensuring that we can meet the needs of clients with different pest issues and requirements,” said Mr Conzen.
Mr Conzen got into bird work after striking up a conversation with PestIT’s Josh Martin while overseas. When Mr Conzen got his first bird netting job in 2020, he reached out to Mr Martin, as well as to Michael Harband from Agserv, for guidance.
“They both gave me valuable tips on installation. My first project was a 60×15 m vertical netting job for a commercial client, and although it was our first attempt, we managed to complete the installation over a weekend. The client was thrilled with the results, and the net is still in place today, looking tight and effective. That experience gave me the confidence to take on more bird netting projects, and we’ve since become very proficient in it,” said Mr Conzen.
Bird work has become a key part of the company’s service offering, particularly for commercial clients. Whether it’s protecting rooftops, parking lots, or large outdoor areas, bird netting is one of the most effective methods for keeping pigeons and other birds out of spaces where they can cause damage or create health hazards.
“On our first bird netting job back in 2020 Agserv assisted with quoting and supplying all the fittings, which made the process much easier. Since then, we’ve stuck with Agserv’s products because they’ve proven to be durable and effective in the long term,” said Mr Conzen. “Now, for most of our bird netting jobs, we use the Agserv-supplied bird nets, specifically the 19 mm. This covers the range of jobs we typically handle, from small residential spaces to larger commercial installations. The 19 mm net is great for targeting smaller birds like sparrows.”
The Affordable Pest team has installed bird netting in a variety of locations, including under car parks, on rooftops, and between buildings. They have also installed a lot of vertical netting in large open areas, where birds are prone to roosting or nesting. Pigeons and swallows are the key targets with the netting as they can cause significant issues, especially in commercial settings where their droppings and nesting materials can create unsanitary conditions.
“Bird netting is a versatile solution that we can adapt to many different environments and needs,” explained Mr Conzen. “One thing I really like about Agserv’s bird nets is their durability. We tend to tighten our nets more than what’s typically recommended, but the quality of the product allows us to do this without compromising its integrity. The nets stay tight and maintain their effectiveness over time, which is crucial for long-term bird control solutions.
“This is why we exclusively use Agserv netting for all our bird control jobs. While I’m not a big fan of bird spikes, sometimes they’re necessary in certain situations where netting isn’t practical. Agserv is our go-to supplier because we trust the quality and reliability of their products, especially when it comes to netting.”
Since taking over the business in 2019, Mr Conzen has worked exclusively with Agserv for their pest control supplies.
“They’ve been a great partner for us, providing reliable products and exceptional service. Since then, we’ve built a strong relationship, and I trust them to supply us with everything we need to deliver quality results for our clients,” he said.
“Michael from Agserv has been fantastic. He’s always willing to go the extra mile, whether it’s advising me on the latest products or offering friendly advice. Even though we’re based two hours away, Agserv consistently goes above and beyond by sending a team member down if we need something urgently. It’s that kind of personalised service that makes a big difference for a company like ours. They’ve also helped us stay ahead of the curve by introducing us to innovative products that improve our service offerings, especially when it comes to bird netting and other specialised pest control solutions.”
