Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Improving Biosecurity With 

Wildlife Management Practices: 

Reducing Water Access 

Avian influenza and other diseases that impact domestic poultry often cause 

little or no illness in wildlife. That’s why seemingly healthy wild birds and 

animals could spread disease onto farms when they are attracted to areas 

with abundant food, water, and/or shelter.

You can strengthen your farm biosecurity by putting wildlife management 

practices in place. There are several nonlethal ways to make farms less 

welcoming to wildlife.

Waterfowl, as well as other birds and animals, are attracted to water for 

drinking, bathing, feeding, and loafing. The practices below can help you manage 

water resources at your farm to prevent wildlife from coming into direct 

contact with your poultry and avoid accidentally transporting wildlife feces and 

secretions that may contain harmful viruses or bacteria into your facilities on 

boots, equipment, and food.

Remove Standing Water

Even small, shallow pools of standing water, such as those found in tire ruts, 

can attract waterfowl and other wildlife. Consider grading your property to 

avoid pooling water. We recommend a minimum slope of half an inch per foot. 

You should fill and/or grade all areas where standing water is seen for more 

than 24 hours after a heavy rainfall. Where standing water is unavoidable, 

make sure workers don’t walk or move equipment in or near the area. This 

prevents possible contamination of boots and equipment.

Manage Ponds and Basins

Wildlife are attracted to ponds, catchment basins, and irrigation structures.

To make these areas less desirable to most wildlife species, you may want to 

cut back or remove plants growing on the banks. However, this may make 

the area more attractive to geese. Please consult with a wildlife or wetlands 

professional before removing plants around ponds to identify the best solution 

for your situation and determine whether you need a permit to remove plants 

around ponds and other water sources per the Clean Water Act.

You can also use fencing to separate natural ponds or vegetation areas from 

active areas around poultry facilities. You can grid ponds with wires or ropes 

to discourage waterfowl from landing on the water. Floating a boat or bird 

deterrent balls on the pond and using predator decoys or other scare devices 

may also be effective, but you should move the decoys frequently so birds and 

animals don’t become used to them.

There are several nonlethal 

management methods for 

reducing wildlife’s potential 

spread of disease on farms.
Filter Surface Water

Avian influenza viruses can be spread through contaminated water. Never use 

untreated surface water to wet or water poultry or to clean equipment, barns, 

or other facilities. If you must use surface water, treat the water or install 

filtration to remove viruses and other disease-causing organisms. Test the water 

quality regularly to make sure the water treatment or filtration is effective.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Program Aid No. 2209 • Revised February 2022

Learn More

If you have specific questions about how to manage wildlife on your farm 

or need help conducting a wildlife assessment, call the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services program toll free at 1-866-4USDA-WS 

(1-866-487-3297).

For general information on avian influenza and emergency response, go to 

www.aphis.usda.gov and search “avian influenza.”

The lethal removal of native wildlife is regulated under Federal and State laws. 

USDA and other experts do not recommend lethally removing native wild birds to 

prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza or other diseases. Because 

wild birds are abundant and constantly moving, using lethal methods is not practical 

or environmentally sound. It is much more effective to remove sources of wildlife 

attraction than to manage wild animals after they have arrived on your property.

Checklist

Conduct a wildlife assessment at your farm. Do wild animals have access 

to food, water, and/or shelter on your site? If so, learn about and use 

wildlife management methods to improve your biosecurity.

Keep waterfowl and other wildlife off of your farm by removing standing 

water and preventing access to ponds and basins.

Do not use untreated or unfiltered surface water to wet or water poultry 

or to clean equipment, barns, or other facilities.

Do not walk or drive trucks, tractors, or other equipment through areas 

where waterfowl or other wildlife feces may be present.

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