Bird Spikes: bird proofing devices

Showing posts with label bird proofing devices. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Pest Birds at Coffee Shops Can Be Grounds for Installing Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you own or operate a coffee shop, you know that too many pest birds can be bad for business. This is especially true if you have outdoor tables and chairs. People love to sit and chat while sipping their favorite cup of java and munching on a scone. But birds pooping on tables and chairs can be a turnoff. So can loads of droppings on your fancy umbrellas, decorative awnings and colorful canopies. Let’s face it, what you don’t need in this economy are fewer customers.

Aside from scaring away customers, pest birds can cause real damage to your shop. They can build nests in your signage and possibly cause an electrical fire. Their nests and droppings can block and jam up your rooftop AC units, resulting in expensive repairs. The acid in bird droppings can eat into and eventually ruin awnings, umbrellas and canopies, again, more expense. Bird debris can also clog up rain gutters, causing water to back up under roofing tiles and that means roof leaks and more repairs.

To save you from all this expense, you need to implement a sound bird-proofing program. And one of the best bird proofing devices to use in such a program would be the tried-and-true Bird Spike.

Bird spikes get the job done because they have been specially designed to prevent pest birds from landing. And they are particularly effective in deterring larger birds like pigeons, crows and gulls. Any bird approaching a bird spike will soon discover that landing on or near them is impossible. “Word” will get around that your store is inhospitable to birds and they will avoid it. If you’re concerned about spikes harming birds, don’t be. The blunted spikes are safe and have been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Today, you have many choices when it comes to bird spikes. You can opt for rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. Steel spikes are available in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths and will bird proof areas up to 8 inches wide; poly spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and will safeguard areas up to 7 inches wide. Either way, you’ll want to get your bird spikes from a reputable source. The best spikes are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. You can also get bird pikes with a non-reflective metal finish, so they’ll be less noticeable on your roofline, parapet wall, fixed awnings or canopies. If you choose to go with slightly less expensive poly spikes, they come in a variety of colors to match your store’s color palette. The assortment of colors include white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear.

To keep pest birds out of your rain gutters, there’s the Gutter Spike. These uniquely designed bird spikes feature adjustable clamps at the base, so they install easily to the lip of most any gutter. If your coffee shop is being invaded by large pest birds like cormorants, turkey vultures or raptors, consider getting the Mega Spike. This bird deterrent features long, 7-inch spikes to ward off even the most aggressive large bird.

Regardless of the bird spike you finally decided to install, you should look for quality construction that’s backed by a manufacturer’s guarantee. One bird spike currently on the market comes with a 10-year guarantee. The best bird spikes are easy to install and require no assembly. They will have a flexible base that readily adapts to most flat or curved surfaces. To save time and hassle during installation, better spikes will also feature pre-drilled holes and glue troughs along the base. These allow the spikes to be quickly nailed, screwed or glued onto any surface.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Plastic Bird Spikes for Big Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

Today's plastic bird spikes are a highly effective method of bird proofing your property against most large pest birds. The reason is simple: no matter how they try, birds just can't seem to get their wings or feet around the imposing-looking spikes to land. After a few unsuccessful attempts, birds just give up and move on. It's no wonder that plastic bird spikes have been widely recommended by building contractors, architects, and municipalities. They have also earned the approval of practically every humane group around the world--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Because they are a humane bird proofing method, plastic bird spikes can be used to safely deter a wide range of birds. The spikes come in 3, 5 and 7-inch widths to discourage four of the most troublesome large pest birds.

Pesky Pigeons

These filthy birds often carry diseases in their droppings. And they can be very aggressive, going after pets and children for food. They often feed in flocks, devouring seeds, bread, vegetables, meat and almost any food discarded by humans. They roost together in buildings or on walls or statues. They can reach speeds of up to 50 mph and can out maneuver a predator hawk. Pigeons are also among the most intelligent birds on the planet. Plastic bird spikes have proven to be highly effective in keeping pigeons from roosting and nesting on ledges, parapets, rooftops and other structures.

Cantankerous Crows

Clever and highly aggressive, American crows have been known to attack people and drive riders off their bicycles. They establish tight-knit communities to help defend their area against predators or intruders. In the winter, crows roost in large flocks reaching up to 1,000 birds. They will build stick nests in virtually any lofty area they can find. Unless controlled by plastic bird spikes, crows will invade schools, hospitals, and a variety of urban and suburban structures. Crows live about 6 to 10 years and will lay three to six eggs, which are incubated for 18 days. Crows will eat anything from seeds, grains, and fruits to scavenged carcasses and small animals (which means, they can carry diseases).

You'll Like the Bird Spike For Humanely Deterring Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can be a real nuisance, even if they don't "attack" your property in huge flocks. One by one, they poop on your patio, your boat, or your pool and spa, and before you know it, you're faced with a big annoying clean up job.

For property and facilities managers, the problems are bigger and more expensive. Pest birds can ruin expensive rooftop air conditioners, clutter solar panels and jam up security camera mechanisms. Pest birds and their droppings can also get into electrical boxes, insulators and terminals, causing fires and shutting down factories and offices. The solution? Bird Spikes.

For municipalities, pest birds can ruin entry monuments, statues, park playgrounds and other public buildings and facilities. The cost to clean up bird droppings, nests and other debris left by pest birds can be daunting and quickly drain city coffers of much needed funds. Finally restaurants have long regarded pest birds as a costly nuisance that can drive away business. Many have sought and gotten relief from pest birds by installing bird spikes.

Pest birds can also pose a significant health problem, since many have been known to carry as many as 60 diseases. These include everything from ornithosis to the potentially lethal West Nile Virus. The bird spike can keep the carriers of these diseases from your property.

A highly effective and humane pest bird deterrent, the simple bird spike won't allow birds to land. Birds can't get their wings and feet around the threatening looking spikes, and they just move on to easier perches. Recommended by building contractors, architects, and municipalities, the blunted spikes won't harm birds or people.

Bird spikes come in rows of spike strips and are available with long-life stainless steel spikes or rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. The poly spikes are usually priced lower than their steel counterparts and preferred in areas where electrical conductivity or radio interference pose a problem.

What many people like about bird spikes is that they are an effective deterrent against a wide range of bird species. They also won't get clogged up by entrapping most debris. Another key benefit of bird spikes is that they have been approved by almost every humane group in the world--including The Humane Society of the United States and PICAS.

Buying bird spike strips is easy. They typically come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths and two-foot sections. Installing bird spikes is easy. They can be glued down, nailed or screwed into most any surface. Many people like bird spikes because when they are installed on buildings, signs, and rooftops, the spikes are practically invisible from the ground. This makes them aesthetically pleasing for a growing number of applications.

Some manufacturers offer a Mega Spike. These huge spikes are ideal for keeping most large birds away. In other words, if you've been inundated by seagulls, cormorants, turkey vultures and raptors, this is the spike you need. Mega spikes are typically 7” high and fabricated of marine grade stainless steel so they'll last longer. Non-reflective spikes with a crush proof, non-reflective metal finish are best. One bird proof spike has a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base and can be bent to fit curved surfaces.

Another specialized spike is the Gutter Spike. It's also ideal for keeping large pest birds from landing--birds like seagulls, crows, and pigeons. But its major advantage is that it can keep these birds from nesting and clogging gutters or drains. Gutter spikes can typically be ordered in two-foot long strips. Some have adjustable clamps at the base so they can be conveniently attached to the lip of a gutter.

The best bird spikes have a flexible base. This means they will easily conform to curved areas, an ideal feature for many outdoor signs and other hard-to-cover areas. Before installing bird spikes, be sure to clean out the area. The surface should be dry and free of bird droppings and other nesting debris. When using glue to install the bird spikes, apply the glue generously onto the base of the spike (about 1/2-inch thick). For uneven surfaces, you'll need to apply more glue to ensure a firm seal. Be sure to press the base of the spike level with the edge of the surface. And remember to allow some overhang of the spike pins.

For best deterrent effect, close up the gaps between spike strips to less than two inches. Birds are clever and will find a way to sneak around the spikes. For really wide ledges, use three or more rows of spikes and make sure to limit the gap between rows to two inches or less. Pest birds will find the cavity behind a spike strip and sneak in, so be aware of this and install the bird spikes carefully.

Monday, June 20, 2011

How to Install Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes
Larger pest birds like pigeons, crows or gulls love to gather in the many nooks and crannies of a structure or building. They’ll land on signs, rooftops and windowsills to roost and nest, creating quite a mess. A single pigeon, for example, can excrete up to 25 pounds of droppings every year. Federal, state and local wildlife protection ordinances forbid the use of lethal or harmful bird control measures against many types of birds. So what can you do?
Increasingly, many facilities and property managers have installed one of the most popular and effective bird control measures on the market—the Bird Spike. These humane bird proofing devices are widely used throughout the world. And they’re now available in a variety of types, sizes and colors.
For example, there’s the Stainless Steel bird spike. It’s ideal for use in Light to Heavy Bird Pressure environments—in both enclosed or exposed areas. Bird pressure is basically defined as how determined a bird is to remain in the area. Heavy pressure areas will have lots of birds nesting or roosting at the site with a food or water source nearby. Medium Pressure is often a food or afternoon resting site, but not used for nesting or roosting. Light Pressure sites offer no food or shelter and birds stop only briefly during the day.
Bird spikes should be installed on ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, conduits and signs--on flat or curved surfaces. Stainless steel spikes come in rows of spiked strips in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths and two-foot sections. The 3-inch spikes will provide 2 to 4 inches of coverage on a 5-inch wide ledge; the 5-inch spikes will cover 5 to 7-inches on a 7-inch wide ledge; and the 8-inch spikes will cover 8 to 10 inches on a 10-inch wide ledge. One manufacturer offers a stainless steel spike with a patented “bend-and-crush” design for permanent installations. It features up to 40 spikes per foot in a linear array. The unique “no-nest” design features no-gap spacing to deter birds from roosting or landing.
To properly install stainless steel bird spikes, the surface should be clean and dry. The width of the spikes should protect the surface leaving no more than a 1-inch gap on either side. To attach the spike, use glue, screws or tie it down to the surface. For pipes and conduits, use a 1-inch spike to cover 1 to 2 inches. To install them, use common hose clamps, nylon ties or wire lashings.
Bird spikes also come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate and are ideal for deterring pigeons, seagulls or larger birds in Light to Heavy Bird Pressure areas. Plastic bird spikes can be used around cell phone antennas and other radio frequency aerials without concerns over RF interference. These spikes come in rows of spiked strips in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and two-foot sections. The 3-inch spikes will provide 1 to 5 inches of coverage on a 5-inch wide ledge; the 5-inch spikes will cover 5 to 7-inches on a 7-inch wide ledge; and the 7-inch spikes will cover 6 to 9 inches on a 9-inch wide ledge.
Another advantage of plastic bird spikes is that they come in 7 colors to match their surroundings. Like stainless steel spikes, poly spikes can be glued, screwed or tied down to most any surface. For gluing, apply construction-grade adhesives (available at most hardware stores) in the glue trough. Use the offset pre-drilled holes for screws or glue. And take advantage of the breakaway notches if you need smaller pieces.