Bird Spikes for the Ultimate in Bird Control

 

If you own a small retail shop, pest birds can quickly turn it into a “little shop of horrors.” Unless you implement some type of effective bird control, pest birds can “dive bomb” your customers coming and going. Birds can also deface your signage, your windows and doors, even your walkways. Bird droppings on walkways can be a double problem since they can be tracked into your shop and they can create dangerous slip-and-fall hazards. Customers who slip on your property and become injured can file a legal claim against you for injury. The last thing you need right now. 

Without effective bird deterrents like Bird Spikes, pest birds can tie up your staff with daily cleaning chores. Windows and doors must be constantly cleaned. Walkways must be hosed down. Signage must be cleaned and cleared of bird nests (this usually requires your maintenance staff to climb a ladder). Birds nests and droppings can also clog rain gutters and spouts. And they can damage rooftop AC units, skylights and solar panels.

One proven way to get rid of birds is to use today’s most popular and effective bird control device: the Bird Spike.  

Bird spikes are easy to install on ledges, parapet walls, conduits and signs--on either flat or curved surfaces. Long lasting, USA-made stainless steel spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch wide spiked strips and two-foot sections. Here’s how to evaluate the spiked strips for the coverage you need:

• 3-inch spikes will provide 2 to 4 inches of coverage on a 5-inch wide ledge
• 5-inch spikes will cover 5 to 7-inches on a 7-inch wide ledge
• 8-inch spikes will cover 8 to 10 inches on a 10-inch wide ledge

A company called Bird-B-Gone offers a stainless steel spike with a patented “bend-and-crush” design that has 40 spikes per foot. This will provide ample bird deterrence for many applications. Bird spikes also come in unbreakable polycarbonate. These versatile spikes can be used to keep birds off cell phone antennas and other radio frequency aerials. Poly spikes come in rows of spiked strips in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and two-foot sections. Some shop owners prefer these spikes simply because they come in a variety of colors—like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear—to match their storefront.

Before you install bird spikes, clean out any nests and droppings. When installing bird spikes, the spike’s width should leave no more than a 1-inch gap on either side. To attach the spike, use glue, screws or tie-down straps. To install the spikes on pipes and conduits, use common hose clamps, nylon ties or wire lashings. To glue down the spikes, use a construction-grade adhesive (available at hardware stores). To screw down the spikes, use the offset pre-drilled holes provided. Better quality spikes will have breakaway notches if you need smaller spiked sections.

How Bird Spikes Can Protect Your Home from Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you’re like most homeowners, you spent some time this summer painting your home. You may also have painted your patio covers, gazebos, and fencing. To protect your roof, probably cleared out your rain gutters, getting rid of some bird nests and bird debris.  And you may even have cleaned off walkways, pool and spa areas that were covered with bird droppings. As an informed homeowner, you know that bird droppings can carry any of 60 known diseases. So the last thing you want is bird droppings on or near your pool, spa, patio tables and chairs, or BBQ.
The good news is your home and its surroundings are now sparkling clean and fresh; the bad news, the pest birds that created all those droppings will probably be back--unless you take steps to bird proof your home.

One of the pest ways to bird proof is to install some Bird Spikes along the rooflines of your home, on the tops of your patio covers and gazebos, and any other elevated areas of your property. Properly installed, these bird deterrents can keep a wide variety of pest birds--especially large birds like pigeons and crows--from perching and pooping all over your home and property.
The bird spikes that last the longest are constructed of flexible, 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 patio cover. Steel bird spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths to cover areas up to 8 inches wide. For large birds like crows and gulls, you’ll need an 8-inch wide spike.

You can also get plastic bird spikes. These are less expensive than stainless steel spikes and will last many years. They come in a variety of colors to match your home’s color scheme. Available 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. For mid-sized pest birds--usually from 9.5 to 11 inches long--you’ll need a 3-inch wide spike. One advantage of plastic spikes is that they can be installed near your dish TV antenna without worries about RF interference.

To keep your rain gutters clear of pest birds and nests, you can install some Gutter Bird Spikes. The best gutter spikes feature adjustable clamps at the base, so you can easily mount them to the lip of your gutter. If your home is out in the country or near the sea or a lake, you may be tired of dealing with really large pest birds like cormorants, turkey vultures or raptors. This is where you’ll want to invest in the Mega Spike, which features long, 7-inch spikes.

Regardless of which you choose, bird spikes typically come in two-foot sections. Better bird spikes will feature pre-drilled holes and glue troughs for fast, easy installation. The best bird spikes are blunted at the tips and won’t harm birds or pets. They have been approved by a number of humane groups worldwide, including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Before installing plastic bird spikes, make sure the surface is clean and dry. 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 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. If the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings, be sure to use proper eye and respiratory protection.

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.

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.