Depending on the distribution channel, the cost of OvoControl is approximately $8.80/lb.  Put differently, it costs roughly $10.50/day in OvoControl bait to treat 100 pigeons.

The Humane Society of 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. Innolytics 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Use of OvoControl allows for the reduction in hatching of eggs laid by treated pigeons without requiring lethal control.

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.

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.

Ideally, bait is offered at dawn on urban rooftops in the areas where pigeons are nesting or feeding. For more permanent feeding installations, Innolytics offers automated feeders to ease the labor and manpower burden of daily feeding.

The OvoControl automated feeder provides an automated delivery system for the bait. The feeders come with digital controls allowing the applicator to dispense the appropriate quantity of OvoControl at pre-programmed 24-hour intervals. The units are equipped with a battery and optional solar charger.

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.

The product is intended for use by licensed businesses (Pest Control Operators), government agencies and municipalities for the control of feral pigeon populations.

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.

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.

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:

Depending on climatic conditions, pigeons can breed year round.

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.