How to Get the Most Out of Bird Control Spikes

If your commercial property is being inundated by large birds--like pigeons, crows or gulls--you’ll need to address the situation promptly with some effective bird control. While the temptation is to ignore the birds, shoo them away, or blast them with a water hose, these measures are only temporary. Complaints from tenants will eventually force you to take action.

One of the best bird control devices is the tried and true bird spike. It’s been used successfully for years to deter pest birds from properties large and small.

Light, Medium and Heavy “Bird Pressure”

How should I install bird spikes? This is an often-asked question. And the answer depends on your specific bird problem. For “Heavy Bird Pressure” environments, you would want to go with a heavy concentration of Stainless Steel bird spikes. Bird pressure indicates how determined a bird is to remain in the area.  Heavy pressure areas are characterized by a high volume of birds nesting or roosting at the site with a food or water source nearby. Medium Pressure will draw only a handful of birds to a food or afternoon resting site, which may not be used for nesting or roosting. Light Pressure sites lack food or shelter, causing birds to stop only briefly during the day.

Where and How to Install Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

When installing Stainless Steel Bird Spikes in a heavy pressure environment, place them close together and make sure you cover all possible perching places. This includes ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, signs and conduits.  The best bird spikes will allow you to install them on flat or curved surfaces. (Look for bird spikes that feature a “bend-and-crush” design.) The rows of spiked strips come 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. Your bird spike should have up to 40 spikes per foot. It should have a “no-nest” design with no-gap spacing to prevent birds from roosting or landing.

Poly Bird Spikes

You can also get bird spikes made of rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. These, too, are ideal for deterring pigeons, seagulls or larger birds. And you can use them to deter birds in Light to Heavy Bird Pressure environments. These spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and two-foot sections. Here, 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. Poly spikes also offer a cosmetic advantage--they come in 7 colors so they are less noticeable when installed.

Like their stainless steel counterparts, plastic bird spikes can be easily glued, screwed or tied down to virtually any surface.

 

Using Pigeon Spikes to Keep Pigeons from Roosting and Nesting

by Alex A. Kecskes

Ever wonder why you don’t see many pigeons in Disneyland? After all, the place is a food paradise for pest birds, what with popcorn and food scraps under tables and chairs in just about every Kingdom. The reason is simple: the Magic Kingdom uses one of the most effective bird deterrents ever devised--the Pigeon Spike. You can see them if you really look for them.  They’re on many light poles and other lofty fixtures, structures and buildings. But they blend in because the spikes come in various colors.

The ubiquitous rock dove or pigeon is now just about everywhere. They have learned to live with humans and will boldly move into an area, digging for food in and around restaurants, trash bins, schools, colleges, amusement parks—anywhere there are people.

To survive, pigeons need a place to land and observe their surroundings. They’ll survey an area before roosting and nesting to makes sure there are plenty of food scraps, water and protection from predators and the elements. Unless there are deterrents like pigeon spikes to discourage them, they will quickly invade an area and take it over.

If you’re a property owner, you need to act proactively to ensure pest pigeons don’t invade your property and create an unhealthful mess.  One way to keep them away is through the proper use of effective pigeon spikes.

Pigeon spikes won’t allow these pest birds to land. The specially designed spike strips are easily mounted on rooftops, parapet walls and ledges using glue, nails or screws. Bird spikes come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes or high strength, durable stainless steel. The less expensive poly spikes are suggested for use around RF or cell phone antennas, since they won’t interfere with radio transmissions. Pigeon spikes also come in different colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear so they’ll blend in better with a structure or building. One manufacturer offers bird spikes with a non-reflective metal finish.

Before you install pigeon spikes, clean the area thoroughly of bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Pigeons are attracted to this debris and will consider the area “friendly.” Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to reduce your exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. In some cases, it may be necessary to equip cleaning crews with PPE (Proper Protective Equipment) in the form of eye and respiratory protection. In severely infested areas, you may need to hire certified bio-hazardous waste removal companies to do the job. After live enzyme treatments are applied, germicides/viruscides or both may have to be employed to ensure that pathogens are completely removed.

When installing bird spikes, make sure to leave no gaps for the pigeons to squeeze through. Stainless steel spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch wide spiked strips. The 3-inch spikes offer 2 to 4 inches of coverage on a 5-inch wide ledge; the 5-inch spikes will protect 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 bird spike with a patented “bend-and-crush” design for permanent installations. The best pigeon spikes feature a unique “no-nest” design with no-gap spacing to deter birds from roosting or landing.

Sometimes pigeons will build nests in rain gutters. This can clog the gutters and prevent them from directing water away form the roof. This, in turn, can cause extensive water damage. In this case, you should install Gutter Spikes, which are specially designed to fit onto gutters.

The best way to deter pest pigeons is through the use of effective bird deterrents like pigeon spikes. Once installed, they require very little maintenance. The best spikes will offer years of service and will hold up under harsh weather conditions.

Home Invaded by Pest Birds? Fight Back with Bird Spikes!

by Alex A. Kecskes

If your home is being invaded by pest birds, you need to take action now to prevent your home from being seriously damaged.  But wait, they’re just little birds, you say?
Did you know that pest birds cost homeowners millions of dollars every year? That the high concentration of uric acid found in some bird droppings can crumble stonework, discolor paint, stain wood, and turn decorative metal into Swiss cheese?  If you take great pride in your home, fencing, patios, metal or cloth awnings and patio furniture, pest birds can leave you crestfallen. Not to worry, high quality bird spikes can keep these pests away from your property.

Consider, too, the health risk of bird droppings. They contain disease carrying bacteria, fungi and parasites. Your pool, spa or BBQ grill can be easily contaminated by birds “dropping their loads.”  One homeowner woke up one morning to discover that pest birds had “bombed” his new car 100 times with bird poop. Needless to say, it was quite a chore to clean his car that day.

Pest birds come in all types and sizes. The most common are pigeons, crows, and gulls. They won’t hesitate to make your house their home. Starlings and grackles can invade structures by the thousands, leaving a huge mess. Imagine your AC unit, pool pump, BBQ, dish antenna or solar panels literally covered with bird droppings. Besides leaving you with a huge clean-up job, you could be faced with expensive repairs.

You can discourage pest birds from invading your property without resorting to BB guns, poisons or banging pots and pans at them (a temporary but entirely useless deterrent).
Bird control companies have spent years working with ornithologists to develop humane and highly effective bird deterrents. Chief among these is the aforementioned bird spike. It has saved many a home from damage and defacement.

The best bird spikes are made of flexible, marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. If you’re concerned about the appearance of bird spikes on your home, patio or garage, they come in a non-reflective metal finish. You can also get slightly less expensive plastic bird spikes, which come in a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. These strong, eco-friendly spikes are made of durable polycarbonate to last many years.

Steel bird spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths to cover areas up to 8 inches wide. Plastic bird spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths to protect areas up to 7 inches wide. For pigeons, a 3-inch wide spike makes an effective pest bird deterrent. For larger birds—like cormorants, turkey vultures or raptors—you’ll need a bird spike called the Mega Spike, which boasts 7-inch long spikes. To keep pest birds out of your rain gutters, you’ll need some Gutter Spikes. These spikes have adjustable clamps at the base, which attach easily to the lip of your gutter.

The best bird spikes are blunted at the tips to prevent injury to birds or pets. These spikes have been approved by humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Installing bird spikes is fairly straightforward. High quality spikes usually come in 2-foot strips with pre-drilled holes and glue troughs, so they can be easily glued, nailed, or screwed into any surface.

Before you install bird spikes, prepare the area by removing any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. This is especially important when installing gutter bird spikes. Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 airborne diseases carried by birds. If the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings, use proper eye and respiratory protection.

How to Install Pigeon 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 Pigeon Spikes

There are many products out there that can help to get rid of pigeons from your property.  By far the easiest to use and one of the most effective are pigeon spikes.  Pigeon 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.  Pigeon 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 pigeon 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 pigeon 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 Pigeon Spikes Work

Once properly installed pigeon spikes make it difficult for pigeons to land.  The pigeon 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 pigeon 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 pigeon spikes installed.

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

Bird Proof Your Strip Mall with Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

Outdoor strip malls are popping up everywhere, slowly replacing the enclosed mall as leasing prices for the latter continue to rise. The one problem strip malls have is that they are exposed to the elements—and that includes pest birds. Without bird control measures to deter them, these "unwelcome shoppers" love to settle in on rooftops, parapet walls, signs, A.C. units, and rooftop ducting. From there, they can swoop down on walkways, tables, chairs, benches and umbrellas to feed on food scraps left by shoppers.

In many locations throughout the country, there's a war going on between strip mall owners/managers and pest birds. Strip mall owners spend millions of dollars annually on clean ups and repairs caused by birds. Bird droppings on a store's signs, windows and facades can seriously detract from its appearance. The acid produced by the fungi that live in bird droppings can corrode metal, mar plastic, deface wood and erode stone. Strip mall owners get a lot of grief from store owners who must constantly hire expensive cleaning and maintenance crews to repair the damage caused by pest birds. This includes clearing out gutters and down pipes, as well as repairing expensive rooftop A.C. compressors and fans.

Then there are the hidden costs of dwindling shoppers who are turned off by bird droppings and simply choose to shop at another store or strip mall. Who wants to eat at an outdoor restaurant whose tables, chairs and umbrellas are covered with smelly, disease carrying bird droppings? Bird droppings can also create serious slip-and-fall hazards that can result in a legal liability for the store owners as well as the strip mall owner.

So what can you do to keep pest birds away from your strip mall? Here's one suggestion: Bird Spikes.

Ideal for pigeons and other large birds, bird spikes have kept strip malls and retail stores bird free for many years. These popular bird proofing devices work because they prevent pest birds from landing. And if they can't land, they won't nest or roost.  And it's bye-bye birdie. Bird spikes come in strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. They are usually manufactured in two-foot long strips for easy installation on most any surface. And unlike some bird control methods, bird spikes are blunted so they won't harm birds or maintenance crews. The best spikes are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. Some bird pikes come with a non-reflective metal finish. And you can even get bird spikes in a variety of colors to match a store's façade—including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear.

A variation of the bird spike is the Gutter Bird Spike. These are ideal bird control device for keeping pest birds out of rain gutters. The best gutter spikes come with adjustable clamps at the base for fast, easy installation to the lip of a gutter. There's also the Mega Spike, which features long, 7-inch spikes to deter cormorants, turkey vultures, raptors and other large birds.

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Bird Spikes Can Deter Pest Birds from Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings and structures are increasingly vulnerable to pest bird damage.  Whether you own or manage  a large big box retailer or a furniture store, without bird proofing devices like bird spikes to discourage them, birds of all kinds will create a number  of problems for your property.

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.