The Fess Parker DoubleTree hotel came under fire recently for an alleged misuse of pesticides on its property. Hired by the beachside hotel, Hydrex Pest Control applied bird poison known as Avitrol on its grounds in an attempt to get rid of pigeons that swarmed near an outdoor eating space. Though no birds are known to have died from the substance, environmentalists say Hydrex failed to follow directions on the label, placing pets, protected wildlife species, and children at risk of a potentially toxic substance.
In January, a dog walker claimed she witnessed Hydrex employees sprinkle Avitrol in bird feeders at the resort. She said she reported the incident after an employee told her to keep her dog away from the area. Multiple people reported similar events to the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), according to EDC’s Brian Trautwein. The EDC contacted the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which sent staff to the property to investigate. “We’re not pointing fingers [at] the companies involved,” said Trautwein. “Our intent in publishing this is to make sure they follow the directions.”
At issue is the manner in which the toxins were handled. Although Avitrol is not typically used in the area, it is not illegal, according to Guy Tingos, assistant commissioner in the county’s agricultural department. But Hydrex employees violated instructions on the label by not retrieving the toxic bait before leaving the site, according to a report issued by the county department.
But Hydrex argues it first tried sticky glue cards and nets to get rid of the birds, which could carry diseases, said Hydrex spokesperson Kevin O’Connor. “We have a manmade problem of people feeding animals,” he said. “And we don’t have enough predators [to prey on the birds].” He contended that the company did follow the instructions on the labels and actually diluted the poison.
The full report was released in early August. It’s unclear how long the pesticides remained on site and if the Avitrol was completely removed after the first complaint was filed, the report states. Witnesses said significant birdseed was left behind once the feeders were removed, the narrative goes on, and a sample of it tested positive for Avitrol.
“Upon learning that there was a potentially toxic substance in birdfeeders, the hotel contacted its independent pest management company to investigate these claims and the hotel promptly removed all birdfeeders from the premises,” according to a statement from DoubleTree. “The hotel remains committed to environmental sustainability.”
The Agricultural Commissioner cannot fine the hotel, but it did ticket Hydrex, which has appealed the $2,400 fine.
Comments
Most classy resorts use "birds of prey" as a deterrent. I have seen at them used at the Bacara Resort and the Hyatt Resort on Mission Bay, where bird handlers would walk around with eagles, hawks, falcons etc. and the pigeons and seagulls would keep their distance from the resort and not bother the guests that had food.
Natural remedy works best.
howgreenwasmyvalley (anonymous profile)
August 29, 2014 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now if someone can figure a way to rid the Mesa Lane area of the screeching Crows and incessantly obnoxious barking dogs, life would be beautiful.
sbresident2 (anonymous profile)
August 29, 2014 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nah, some how I think you would still find things to complain about.
loonpt (anonymous profile)
August 29, 2014 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone believe that arch conservative Kevin O'Connor of Hydrex gives a damn about the poisons he spreads throughout Santa Barbara?
geeber (anonymous profile)
August 30, 2014 at 4:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glue cards are evil -- putting poisoned seeds in bird feeders is even more so. Hydrex, an Independent advertiser in the current edition of the Independent, should be heavily fined, as should the Fess Parker.
(In addition, this story should have noted that Hydrex is an advertiser, with the current edition's ad claiming that birds can carry diseases; well, uh, yes, all animals can, including chickens. The solution should not be to mass poison.)
The hotel's solution to too many birds is not to attract more with poisoned feeders but to keep the food-preparation and serving areas clean.
at_large (anonymous profile)
August 30, 2014 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole property should have never been built and is as welcome as a turd in the punch bowl.
Hydrex should pay until it hurts like poison.
edukder (anonymous profile)
August 30, 2014 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if they used poison on the lawn area in front of the hotel'; the enormous space that looks like it's part of Fess Parkers but is really public land belonging to the city of Santa Barbara - a great place for a kids birthday party with an inflatable bounce room.
14noscams (anonymous profile)
August 30, 2014 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame on both Hydrex and The Fess Parker. Poisoning birds, indeed!
If they want to keep birds away (that are supposedly feeding on the available food) they should clean up immediately after guests leave and otherwise keep the area free of readily available food.
But, most people I know really like birds, even those that want their food.
justbobf (anonymous profile)
September 2, 2014 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody needs to pay dearly for this gaff.
Shame on Fess Parker's & shame on Hydrex!
Barron (anonymous profile)
September 2, 2014 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A horrible situation. I love birds, many people do, and all living things carry diseases, Hydrex. Should we just clear the playing field,then? Poison everything? What a crock. I like the little restaurant in the front of Fess Parker's, but now don't feel like I can or will spend another cent there.
Jamell (anonymous profile)
September 2, 2014 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)