Wildlife Repellent, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center
A variety of wildlife species—from birds to rodents and rabbits—often find themselves in airport environments leading to safety concerns for both wildlife and airline passengers. Collisions between wildlife and aircraft have increased in the past 30 years because of an increase in both hazardous wildlife species populations and aircraft movements.
To help reduce the risk of these potentially dangerous interactions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) biologists provide airport operators across the nation with advice and recommendations on how to keep runways and flight paths clear of wildlife. WS researchers and airport biologists are partnering with Arkion Life Sciences, LLC to identify best management practices for applying an anthraquinone-based repellent called Flight Control® Max. Anthraquinone is a naturally occurring compound that is found in more than 200 plant species in North America. When eaten, anthraquinone has a repellency effect in many wild birds and some wild rodents. Tests are occurring at various airports and the results will determine best management practices for the use of repellents at airports nationwide.
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