Nesting birds continue to cause millions of dollars' worth of farm machinery fires, according to FMG claims data.
The rural insurer says birds' nests continue to account for around $1.2 million worth of tractor fire claims annually and is reminding machinery operators to "Stop & Pop" the bonnet before starting work.
"Starlings are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding a place to nest. They can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces and build a nest much faster than people expect," says FMG Loss Prevention Manager Abby France.
"With dry grass readily available on farm, a bird can build a nest in the time it takes you to stop for smoko or have a cup of tea”.
FMG sees the majority of tractor fire claims caused by birds' nests during the starling breeding season, which typically runs from September through to December. Over the past three years, FMG has received more than 100 tractor fire claims linked to bird nests, accounting for 32% of all tractor fire claims during that period.
"Tractor fires can be devastating. Not only can you lose a valuable piece of machinery, but the disruption can have a significant impact on day-to-day farm operations, especially as we head into bailage and silage season" says Abby.
"And it's not just tractors. We've seen nests cause fires in quad bikes, side-by-sides, cars, utes and other machinery as well."
FMG is encouraging farmers and machinery operators to make checking under the bonnet part of their daily routine.
"Our long-running Stop & Pop campaign is a simple reminder to stop, pop the bonnet and check for nests before you start work. It's a quick check that can prevent a costly and potentially dangerous fire."
Abby says leaving the bonnet up when machinery is parked can also help discourage birds from nesting.
"We also recommend fitting tractors and other machinery with a suitable, easily accessible fire extinguisher and making sure operators know how to use it.
"Tractor fires can spread quickly and rural fire crews aren't always able to reach a property before significant damage has occurred. A fire extinguisher may give you the best chance of stopping a small fire before it gets out of control, but always put your safety first."
“And while on the topic of rural fire crews, make sure you clear back overgrown trees around your driveway. A standard fire appliance needs 4 metre clearance to access your property. You don’t want them stuck only a few hundred metres from being able to fight your fire”.
FMG provides free Stop & Pop stickers to help remind busy farmers and operators to check under the bonnet before starting work. Stickers can be ordered via the FMG Stop & Pop page.
