Plastic Bird Spikes Combine Economy with Efficiency

by Alex A. Kecskes
One of the best values in bird proofing today is the Plastic Bird Spike. These clever devices deny birds a suitable landing zone. After a few unsuccessful attempts to negotiate around the intimidating spikes, birds wise up and just move on. The spikes are ideal for deterring larger birds--like pigeons, crows, gulls, vultures and raptors. And they can be used virtually anywhere with little or no maintenance. The blunted spikes are safe for birds and maintenance crews, which is why they have earned the approval of humane groups around the world--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service). They are also GSA approved. This might be one reason why plastic bird spikes have been widely recommended by building contractors, architects, and municipalities.

Spikes for Many Species

Let's say you're being inundated by pigeons. Plastic bird spikes have proven to be highly effective in keeping these filthy birds from landing and roosting on ledges, parapets, rooftops and other structures. As most property owners may have noticed, pigeons can be very aggressive and often feed in flocks, devouring seeds, bread, vegetables, meat and almost any food discarded by humans. They roost together on rooftops, on walls, or any nook or cranny they can find. And they create quite a mess in droppings, which often carry any of 60 known diseases, some of which can be quite serious and life-threatening to humans.

How to Install Bird Spikes

Keeping your Home Pigeon Free!

by Fran Prisco

Each year homeowners spend hundreds of dollars cleaning up after and repairing the damage created by pest pigeons.  The domestic pigeon has become quite a nuisance in urban areas. Pigeons build relatively flimsy nests from sticks and other debris, which may be placed in trees, on ledges, or on the ground, depending on species. They lay one or two eggs, and both parents care for the young, which leave the nest after 7 to 28 days. Pigeons build relatively flimsy nests from sticks and other debris, which may be placed in trees, on ledges, or on the ground, depending on species. They lay one or two eggs, and both parents care for the young, which leave the nest after 7 to 28 days.  Pigeons have adapted to most of the habitats available on the planet. 
How to Install Bird Spikes

There are many products out there that can help to get rid of pest bird from your property.  By far the easiest to use and one of the most effective are pigeon spikes.  Bird spikes are made of plastic or stainless steel.  Some have a plastic base with stainless steel spikes.  They usually come in either one foot or two-foot sections.  Bird spikes come in different widths some as wide as 7” to be sure to cover the entire surface where pest pigeons are landing.  They are used on flat as well as curved surfaces such as window ledges, roof edges, patio covers, arched entryways and other areas that pest pigeons like to roost and nest.

Installation of bird spikes is relatively easy.  You can glue or screw them down.  Make sure that all debris left behind by the birds is cleaned up first.  Use a mixture of bleach or ammonia with water to wet down the area and rinse it clean.  Do not clean bird droppings dry as they can be inhaled in dry form and cause illness.  When cleaning bird droppings use a mask and gloves.  Use enough bird spikes to cover the entire area that the pigeons are landing or roosting on.  If they are in an area that is hard to get to it might be wise to call an expert.  There are many companies that install bird control products like pigeon spikes.

How Bird Spikes Work

Once properly installed bird spikes make it difficult for pigeons to land.  The bird spikes are usually 4.25” to 4.50” high so that pigeons and larger birds can not straddle the spikes.  Be sure to look for a spike that has a “center” spike running down the middle.  This will keep the birds from building nests in the spikes themselves.  Covering all of the surface of a ledge or widow sill, will keep the pigeons form landing as birds land feet first, they will sense that something is there and move on.  When first installing bird spikes, you may want to watch and see if the birds find another area of your home or building to land on.  That area too will need to have bird spikes installed. 

If you are unsure if you can put in the bird spikes yourself to call a local bird control installer.  Most pest control companies can help, or call the bird spike manufacturer for an installer near you.  Getting ride of pest pigeons can be as easy as “gluing and screwing”!

Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes

By: Fran Prisco

The name bird spikes conjures up notions of barbarians with studded weapons used against defenseless little birds, but that is just not true.  Bird control spikes, also known as needle spikes or anti-roosting spikes are devices consisting of long, needle-like spikes used to control pest birds.  The needles or spikes are usually all plastic or a plastic base with stainless steel spikes.  They are harmless to pest birds, the spikes are not sharp, but create an unsuitable landing area for the birds so they move on to a more hospitable site.  Bird spikes are designed to keep pest pigeons and larger birds off of building ledges, signs, parapet walls and other flat surfaces that pest birds like to roost and nest on.

Every year millions of dollars are spent cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, sea gulls, crows and other urban birds. Not only are these problems unsightly; pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons. Individuals, companies and government agencies are tired of cleaning up bird feces or repairing the damage that is caused by pest birds and their droppings. Instead they have decided to invest in a Bird Control Solution, which is often as simple as installing bird spikes.

Bird Proof Spikes Keep Pest Birds Away

by Alex A. Kecskes

It's no secret that pest birds have become a very costly nuisance. Their corrosive droppings ruin our finest statues, landmarks and entry monuments. Bird droppings can transform safe sidewalks, walkways and sports bleachers into slippery, potentially dangerous areas, creating a ruinously expensive slip-and-fall liability for both public and private property owners. So how does one prevent pest birds from staking claim to these areas?  Simple: Install Bird Spikes.

This simple pest bird deterrent has been used by restaurant and store owners worldwide to keep signs and outdoor eating areas clean and sanitary. After all, bird droppings can be a real turn off at a restaurant. They can also transmit any of 60 diseases, including salmonella and the lethal West Nile Virus, which is also carried by the fleas and mites that attach themselves to the bodies of birds. All of these negatives can dissuade customers from shopping at a store that sells just about anything--except maybe guano fertilizer.

Homeowners everywhere have had to pay for the problems caused by pest birds. Bird droppings and nests have clogged gutters and air conditioning units, covered solar panels, and contaminated pools, spas and BBQs. Boat owners have also suffered from pest birds whose droppings have eaten into sails and covers, jammed up antennas and created dangerous slip-and-fall hazards on decks and runners. Few things are as slippery as bird poop.