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.

 

Get Rid of Pest Birds with Plastic Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

Alnwick and Amble, two small market towns in north Northumberland, England, had a real pest bird problem a few years ago. Both towns have historically suffered from pigeon infestations and messy droppings along its streets and market areas.

The pigeon droppings had defaced pavements, walls and rooftops, and had even blocked gullies and drains in the two towns. Pigeons had become a serious problem in Alnwick, particularly in the Market Place, along Fenkle Street and Narrowgate. In Amble, the pigeons had begun to roost on several buildings along Queen Street and on Lawrence's DIY store on Bridge Street.

The townsfolk had a number of meetings, and suggestions for solving the pigeon problem included the creation of a pigeon loft where the birds would be attracted to nest. The plan was to remove the eggs and replace them with dummy eggs. This, it was hoped, would reduce the exploding pigeon population. At one time, the Amble city council had even allowed firearm culling, but those methods were soon abandoned because citizens felt it was cruel to simply shoot the pigeons.

If only the townsfolk of Alnwick and Amble had consulted some professional bird control experts, their pest pigeon problems could have been solved efficiently and humanely, for among the many tools in a pro bird controller’s arsenal is the Plastic Bird Spike

Unlike firearms and birth control measures, plastic bird spikes are perfect for deterring pigeons, crows, gulls, vultures and raptors. These versatile bird-proofing devices are widely used on rooftops, ledges, signs and other elevated areas. The blunted spikes are harmless to birds, pets and installation or cleaning crews. The devices have been approved by the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service). In addition, plastic spikes are also GSA approved (U.S. General Services Administration).

Plastic bird spikes are made of a polycarbonate material that can be used around electrical and RF transmission equipment. They can be installed around cellphone antenna arrays and other radiating devices. The best plastic spikes are U.V. protected to withstand years in the sun and punishing weather. One popular plastic bird spike can withstand temperature extremes form +310 degrees F to -200 degrees F. It comes with a full 5-year guarantee.

To blend in better with their surroundings, plastic bird spikes now come in a full range of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. Even custom colors are now available. It’s small wonder architects and builders so often recommend plastic bird spikes as a bird control measure. Plastic spikes are also less expensive that steel bird spikes. This makes them ideal for large installations or for those on a very tight bird control budget.

Another advantage of plastic bird spikes is that they are virtually maintenance free and require no assembly. The spikes come in a variety of sizes--typically 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and two-foot sections. A single row of plastic bird spikes usually covers a 7-inch wide area. For easy installation, look for plastic spikes that have a flexible base that you can bend and turn to fit onto any flat or curved surface. In some cases, the spike strips have been pre-drilled with holes along the base for fast, easy installation. You can also glue the strip by using the glue trough (a feature found in better spikes) on the base of each spike strip. Use outdoor polyurethane construction adhesive to firmly secure the spikes. Remember to close up any gaps between spike strips to less than two inches. For extra wide ledges, use three or more rows of spikes and be sure to limit the gap between rows to less than two inches.

Finally, before installing plastic bird spikes, make sure the surface is clean and dry. Clean out any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. If the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings (wet or dry), use proper eye and respiratory protection.

Protect Your Home from Pigeons with Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

Unless you protect your home with effective pest bird deterrents—like Bird Spikes—pigeons can cause a considerable amount of damage. Like most birds, pigeons look for sunny areas that provide safety from predators and shelter from the elements. They also look for venues that offer a close proximity to food and water. Most homes offer these and other advantages to pigeons.

A favorite nesting place for many pigeons is the rain gutter. The dish-shaped runways offer ideal nesting sites for most nests. While it’s great for pigeons, it’s bad for homeowners. The nests are often filled with bird droppings and form a solid clump that blocks gutters, sending water under roofing tiles and shingles, and eventually causing leaks when it rains. All the more reason to install specially designed bird spikes for gutters called Gutter Spikes. The best gutter spikes have adjustable clamps at the base, which makes them easy to mount to the lip of your gutter.

Another headache caused by pigeons occurs when they nest and roost on and in your home. Pigeons like to gather on rooftops because it affords them a “bird’s eye” view of the landscape, allowing them to spot predators, water and food.  If you have a broken attic window, vent grille or loose soffit, pigeons will end up in your attic and that can be a real problem. It’s surprising how little an opening they need to sneak into an attic. Bird spikes can keep them out—but you have to install the spikes before flocks of pigeons show up.

Once inside, the scent and cooing of pigeons will attract other pigeons (pigeons are very sociable) and before long, you’ll have a sea of nests and mini mountains of poop in your attic. This can create a potential fire danger and a breeding area for disease. Pigeons can carry and/or transmit any of 60 diseases—including bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal.  Chief among these are Histoplasmosis and West Nile Virus.  There’s also the noise factor, which can drive you crazy in the mornings.  You can eliminate these headaches by installing bird spikes.

The high levels of uric acid in pigeon droppings can etch most surfaces--including brick, concrete, metals, paints and marble. If you leave your boat, car or RV in the driveway, pigeon droppings can eat into and permanently mar the paint. If you have a rooftop AC unit, solar heating panels or circulating air vents, pigeon droppings can damage these systems over time (unless you regularly clean the pigeon droppings off your solar panels, the efficiency of these panels will be drastically reduced). To save your home, car, boat and RV from the ravages of pest pigeons, you should install bird spikes, the proven effective pigeon deterrent. 

The best bird spikes are constructed of flexible, marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. Some bird spikes are available in a non-reflective metal finish, which means they’ll blend in more easily to your home’s aesthetics. Steel bird spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths to cover areas up to 8 inches wide. Mid-sized pest birds, like pigeons, can be easily deterred by a 3-inch wide spike.

If you’re on a budget, you can get plastic bird spikes. They do the job nicely and last many years. They also come in a rainbow of colors to match your home’s color scheme. Current colors include white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. These spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths to protect areas up to 7 inches wide. Consider plastic spikes if you need to protect areas near your dish TV antenna, as the plastic won’t interfere with the antenna’s ability to pick up signals.

If your home is near the sea or a lake, opt for a bird spike called the Mega Spike. It’s ideal for deterring large pest birds like cormorants, turkey vultures or raptors.
Installing bird deterrents is easy. Especially if you choose high quality bird spikes. These come with pre-drilled holes and glue troughs for fast, easy mounting. The best bird spikes are blunted at the tips and won’t harm birds or pets. They’ve been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Before you install bird spikes, make sure the surface is clean and dry. Prepare the area by removing any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to airborne diseases carried by birds. If the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings, use proper eye and respiratory protection.

Using Bird Spikes to Keep Birds off Your Patio and Roof

by Alex A. Kecskes

As a homeowner, you want to keep your roof and patio free of pest birds. Their droppings can quickly ruin the appearance of your home. And the acidic nature of bird droppings can eat into the paint covering your patio. These days, many homeowners have opted for vinyl patios, which can be permanently damaged by a build up of bird droppings.

Getting rid of birds is not always easy. You can scare them away with a water hose or loud noise, but they’ll be back minutes after you leave. Poisons and pellet guns are no solution, either, for these methods are inhumane and dangerous to pets and children.

The only solution is proper and humane bird control. And one of the most proven effective and humane devices ever developed to deter pest birds is the Bird Spike. These popular bird-proofing devices have been widely used to keep birds away from homes and buildings. Bird spikes work because they won’t allow pigeons, seagulls, crows or similar large birds to negotiate a landing, so birds leave.

Bird spikes come in either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. The poly spikes cost a bit less and are available in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. One manufacturer offers poly spikes with a 5-year guarantee. They come in 2-foot long sections and are boxed to cover 6, 20 and 50 feet. Today’s poly spikes even come in a stylish array of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear--to blend in with your home’s color scheme. Installed properly, they are practically invisible.

For best results, bird spikes should be installed on rooflines, under eaves, on top of patio covers, fixed awnings and other elevated areas. The spiked strips are easy to install. They can be glued down, nailed or screwed into virtually any surface. The best bird spikes will already have pre-drilled holes or glue troughs to make installation fast and easy. Try to get bird spikes that are crush proof and have a non-reflective finish.

By the way, pest birds will often build nests in your rain gutters, which can lead to overflowing water that can seep under roofing tiles. Before you know it, you’ll have a leaky roof and expensive roofing repairs. To keep birds out of your rain gutters, you should install Gutter Spikes. These specially designed bird spikes feature adjustable clamps at the base so they can be readily affixed to the lip of your rain gutters.

Before installing any bird spikes, thoroughly clean the surface. Be sure to remove any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the airborne diseases carried by birds. You should also use eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with droppings.

Get Rid of Pest Birds with Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

Lately, you’ve noticed some really big birds swarming around your property. One look at these bad boys and you know you’re in for some serious bird droppings, noise, debris and perhaps even an attack or two on your dog or cat.  You whip out your BB gun, take a few down and they scatter. But the next day they’re back with a vengeance,  as if to pay you back for “taking out” a few of their own. They’ve also dropped a load or two on your car, boat and BBQ. After spending considerable time, soap, disinfectant and some major elbow grease in removing the acidic droppings, you realize short-term measures simply won’t do. Time to get some serious non-lethal bird control—time for Stainless Steel Bird Spikes.

You read about these spiked strips. They get the job done. Birds just can land anywhere near them, so they wing it to another neighborhood and wreak havoc on their property.  You also heard about plastic bird spikes. They’re less expensive, but some of these will crack and turn to straw after a few hot summers. There’s also iron bird spikes, but you know that a good rainy season will turn them into rust. And when they rust, they leave those ugly brown trails down your property, tracks that make your building look like a haunted mansion.
Besides, you’re an all or nothing kind of person. You want the best, the longest lasting, the most durable spikes with the most humungous guarantee.  Stainless steel spikes are your choice. They’re ideal for achieving bird control in Light to Heavy Bird Pressure environments—in enclosed or exposed areas.

So what’s Bird Pressure? It’s a metric that establishes how determined pest birds are in staying on your property. 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. You’ve concluded that you have a really heavy pressure situation, so you opt for stainless steel.

Where to install them? The experts say to mount them on ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, conduits and signs--on any flat or curved surface where pest birds tend to gather. You also like the choices you get with stainless steel bird spikes. These come in rows of spiked strips in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths and two-foot sections. The 3-inch spikes offer 2 to 4 inches of bird deterrence on a 5-inch wide ledge; the 5-inch spikes give you 5 to 7-inches of protection on a 7-inch wide ledge; and the 8-inch spikes provide 8 to 10 inches of deterrence on a 10-inch wide ledge. One manufacturer even offers a stainless steel spike with a patented “bend-and-crush” design for permanent installations. This bad boy is equipped with up to 40 spikes per foot in a linear array. This spike’s special “no-nest” design includes no-gap spacing to deter birds from roosting or landing.  It’s obvious that some really brainy bird control experts put their heads together to design these spikes.

How to install them? You can use glue, nails or screws to keep stainless steel spikes in place. For best results, don’t leave any gaps wider than two inches between the spiked strips. For really wide ledges, use multiple rows of spikes and, again, limit the gap between rows to two inches or less.

Finally, remember this: Before installing bird spikes, the surface should be clean and dry. That means you’ll have to remove any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Birds are drawn to this debris and will think it’s “familiar territory.” You should also use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. Use eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with droppings.

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.

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.

Bird Proof Your Store with Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

One small storeowner in New York complained that a ledge that runs 20 feet along the top of his storefront is typically covered with pigeons every day. The ledge extends out over the sidewalk and entrance to the store, giving pigeons a perfect place to drop their “daily loads.” Customers entering the store have to walk through or jump over this “gauntlet of guano” to reach the front door.

If you’ve had your store for any length of time, you’ve no doubt had to deal with the nuisance and expense of bird damage/defacement. These winged pests often build nests on your signage, rooftops, parapet walls, A.C. units, and rooftop vents. They can also create quite a problem in rain gutters and downspouts, filling these water runoffs with nesting materials, feathers and other debris. When that happens, water overflows and seeps under roofing tiles, causing leaks and, ultimately, very expensive roof repairs.
Pest birds can also literally drive away customers, swooping down on them from the elevated perches of your store. No one likes to visit a store where birds are dive bombing them as they try to enter or leave. There’s also the nuisance of bird droppings, which can cover everything from windows, awnings and canopies to signage, doorknobs and walkways.

The solution, of course, is to employ some sort of bird control. And one of the best bird control measures available today is the Bird Spike.

Recommended for pigeons and other large birds, bird spikes have been used by thousands of storeowners nationwide. They are easy to install and, in some cases, blend in with their surroundings to make them practically invisible.

Bird spikes remain an effective pest bird deterrent because they prevent pest birds from landing.  No bird wants to get its wings tangled in a splay of nasty looking spikes. Better to simply find another, more bird-friendly landing area. Rest assured, the blunted spikes are safe and won’t harm our fine-feathered friends--they have been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Bird spikes come in strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. Steel spikes are available in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths to cover areas up to 8 inches wide; plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths to protect areas up to 7 inches wide. The best spikes will provide many years of dependable deterrence, for they are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. Some bird spikes come with a non-reflective metal finish, which means they won’t stand out on your roofline or parapet wall. You can even get spikes in a variety of colors to match your store’s signage, awnings or fixed canopies. Available colors include white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear.

Knowing that pest birds often gather in rain gutters, one bird control manufacturer now offers a Gutter Spike. These specially designed bird spikes will keep pest birds out of your rain gutters. The best gutter bird spikes feature adjustable clamps at the base, which makes it easy to install them to the lip of a gutter. If you’re being plagued by really big pest birds like cormorants, turkey vultures or raptors, you’ll want to look into the Mega Spike, which features long, 7-inch spikes no bird would ever want to approach.

No matter which type of bird spike you get, better designed spikes are easy to install. They require no assembly and some have a flexible base that readily adapts to most flat or curved surfaces. Look for spike strips that feature pre-drilled holes and glue troughs along the base. These can be quickly nailed, screwed or glued onto any surface.

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• How to Install Plastic bird spikes Keeping your Home Pigeon Free! (bird-spike.com)
• How Bird Spikes Can Protect Your Home from Pest Birds (how-to-install-bird-spikes.com)
• How to Install Plastic bird spikes Keeping your Home Pigeon Free! (birdcontrolspike.com)

Green Bay’s Got Gulls. Time for Stainless Steel Bird Spikes.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin has some serious pest bird issues. It seems thousands of seagulls have been breeding in the large parking lots in the stadium areas of Green Bay. The gulls also seem to like the lots at Ashwaubenon. The lots bordered by Bart Starr Drive, Tony Canadeo Run, Reggie White Way and Lombardi Avenue have drawn the gulls in huge numbers, creating a nuisance for businesses.

While the presence of the large birds isn’t new, they have been gaining in number.  The owner of a nearby sports bar admitted that his maintenance crews have been quite busy of late, cleaning up after the 5,000 to 7,000 gulls in the lot adjacent to his bar. Cleaning crews are constantly washing down the sidewalks and patio areas. No one wants to have bar patrons tracking in disease carrying gull droppings. There’s also the noise, which can be particularly loud and annoying.

Observers note that the gulls have been breeding on the roof of nearby Tundra Lodge, which was badly soiled from gulls that perched there for hours at a stretch. Over time, the acids in gull drippings can eat into roofing materials and cause a leak. Gull nests, droppings and debris can also clog rain gutters and spouts, again, causing roof leaks and possible long-term damage.

Officials say there’s not much they can do. The gulls are federally protected migratory birds, which means, once the eggs hatch, nothing can be done until they leave. The director of public works for Green Bay noted that more proactive bird deterrents would be used if the gulls return next year. Under consideration are kites that resemble ospreys and hawks to scare the birds away. The use of firecrackers is also being considered.

Fortunately, for the businesses around Lambeau Field, there is a solution to the gull problem. One that could save them a lot of grief and expense. It’s called the Stainless Steel Bird Spike.

These spike strips are easily mounted on rooftops, ledges, parapet walls, and signs--on any flat or curved surface where pest birds often flock. Today’s stainless steel spikes come in rows of spikes in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths and two-foot sections. For gulls, 8-inch spikes provide 8 to 10 inches of deterrence on a 10-inch wide ledge. The best stainless steel spike features a patented “bend-and-crush” design for permanent installations. It has 40 spikes per foot in a linear array and a special “no-nest” design with no-gap spacing to deter birds from roosting or landing. Gulls faced with landing on or near these large spikes will simply move on.

Installation is a snap. Glue, nails or screws can be used to keep stainless steel spikes securely mounted. When installing the bird spikes, leave no gaps wider than two inches between the spiked strips. Multiple rows of spikes should be used for extra wide ledges.

Finally, before installing bird spikes, the surface should be clean and dry. Be sure to remove any loose rust, peeling paint, bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Leaving this debris will signal to birds that this is a lived-in area. You should also use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. Use eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with droppings.

For additional advice on how to properly install stainless steel bird spikes, consult an expert like the folks at Bird-B-Gone.

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