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.

Related articles

• Bird Control for Today's Building Managers (birdcontrolproducts.blogetery.com)
• Pigeon Control for Architects (birdcontrolproducts.blogetery.com)
• Bird Proofing for Commercial Applications (birdcontrolproducts.blogetery.com)
• Pigeon Control for Architects (pigeoncontrol.blog.com)
• Pigeon Control for Architects (pigeoncontrol.wordpress.com)

Get Rid of Birds with Bird Spikes

by Fran Prisco

With the growth of cities and municipalities comes the destruction of habitat for birds and other animals.  Leaving them with little choice but to land, roost and nest on our buildings and property.  Each year thousands of dollars are spent cleaning up after pest birds.  Removing bird debris and droppings can be costly as well as a health hazard.  Droppings from birds such as pigeons and gulls can carry any of 60 plus transmittable diseases.  They can also cause slips and falls when left unmanaged.

One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to get rid of birds is to install bird spikes.  The best bird spikes are made from a rigid polycarbonate plastic that is U.V. protected and virtually unbreakable.  Bird spikes keep large birds like pigeons and gulls from landing, roosting and nesting on flat and curved surfaces.  They are ideal to protect window ledges, parapet walls, roof edges and even channel letters.

Pest Birds Bugging You?

Time for Bird Proof Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

It doesn't take long for birds to gather in huge numbers and become destructive pests. Pigeons, sparrows, starlings, and gulls can drop an awful lot of poop and create quite a lot of noise. After they've decided that yours is a nice, safe place to nest, it's almost impossible to get them to leave on their own. Luckily, some clever people have studied and analyzed how birds land, and they now offer a way to prevent them from doing just that. What they've come up with is the Bird Proof Spike, get a simple device that prevents birds from landing.

The goal here is to convince them to move on, not harm them. For if allowed to gather and nest, pest birds can pose a serious health problem. It's common knowledge that birds can carry a wide range of some very serious diseases. These include a potentially fatal lung disease called histoplasmosis; a lower or upper respiratory disease called ornithosis; and pseudotuberculosism, resulting in abdominal pain and fever—up to 60 diseases in all, including salmonella. In fact, birds have even been known to carry the lethal West Nile Virus by way of the fleas and mites they carry. It's no wonder the Bird Proof Spike has become so popular.

Bird spikes are the ideal solution for keeping pest birds from landing and roosting on column tops, ledges, parapets, signs, beams, chimneys, cutouts, security cameras, lights, and more. The spikes on these devices are blunted, which makes them safe for birds and maintenance/installation crews. 

The bird proof spike is effective because birds simply can't maneuver their wings or feet to land on the menacing looking angled spikes. These spikes are so well regarded that they have earned the recommendation of building contractors, architects, and municipalities.
There are a number of different bird spikes currently available. They all basically use the same principle--spike strips covered with densely nested rows of durable stainless steel spikes. Some manufacturers also offer bird spike strips with rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. These cost less than their steel spike counterparts and are suggested for use in areas where conductivity or radio interference can be a problem.

What most property managers, homeowners and boat owners like about Bird Proof Spikes is that they deter a wide range of bird species. They also like the fact that they are low maintenance in that they won't trap most debris. For those who like the idea of a humane pest bird deterrent, bird proof spikes have been approved by virtually every humane group in the world, including The Humane Society of the United States and PICAS.

Bird proof spikes can be purchased in a number of different materials and configurations.

How to Keep Birds Out of Amusement Parks this Spring

by Alex A. Kecskes
If you run an amusement park, you know what a nuisance pest birds can be. They poop all over your outdoor eateries and snack bars, creating an unhealthful mess on tables, awnings, chairs and benches—places where your cleanup crew must spend valuable time scrubbing with disinfectant.

Keep in mind that bird droppings can carry any of 60 known diseases. Too many birds can create a health code violation that can result in sick patrons. One particularly troublesome illness caused by inhaled aerated bird droppings is a disease called histoplasmosis, which is characterized by constant flu-like symptoms.

Bird nests, feathers and droppings also wreak havoc with rides, moving displays and other exhibits, clogging wheels and mechanisms, leaving droppings on seats and handrails. This can result in ride breakdowns and very upset patrons. The maintenance and repairs to this equipment can be costly, and so can the lost revenue due to non-operation. It also means more mess for your cleanup crew to deal with.


And lest we not forget all the slip-and fall hazards bird droppings create. Just consider the countless kids and teens who visit your park every day, many of them running. All it takes is on injury blamed on bird droppings and you've got a huge legal liability that can damage your park's reputation and cost you plenty in a big settlement.


Which brings us to one of the most effective bird control measures ever devised--the Bird Spike. Properly installed on rooflines, parapet walls, light-posts and signage, bird spikes can prevent birds from landing virtually anywhere they're placed. Which means if you have a problem with pigeons, crows or seagulls, an investment in bird spikes made throughout your amusement park can make a huge difference. It can drive down your maintenance and clean-up costs and keep your park clean-looking and sanitary.


Your maintenance crew can easily install bird spikes using glue, nails or screws. And because they're blunted at the tips, they won't harm birds or your maintenance crew. Bird spikes have even been approved by the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Today, bird spikes come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. The steel spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths; the less expensive plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. Spikes with a non-reflective metal finish are also available. And colors now include white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear to match your park's color scheme.

Remember the best way to solve any bird problem is to plan ahead. And now is the time to install bird spikes to keep pest birds away from your amusement park.

Related articles

• Bird Spikes Keep Spring Birds Away (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• How to Keep Birds From Landing with Bird Spikes (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Spikes Can Deter Pest Birds from Commercial Buildings (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Deterrents Say "Shoo" to Pest Birds (birddeterrent.wordpress.com)
• Time to Bird Proof Your Property (birdproof.wordpress.com)
• Plastic Bird Spikes Combine Economy with Efficiency (birdspike.wordpress.com)

How to Keep Birds From Landing with Bird Spikes

 

By Alex A. Kecskes

Commercial buildings have all sorts of places pest birds like to gather. One of their favorite places to squat on is the parapet wall, especially with the approach of spring. These low walls, constructed above the roofline, usually span around the perimeter of a building.

The top of a parapet wall is most vulnerable to pest birds. These walls are usually capped off with limestone, terra cotta, hard-fired clay, or pre-cast concrete. All these materials tend to be porous and "drink up" bird droppings. This makes for a very unsightly wall. If the bird droppings are not removed and left to accumulate, they can eventually eat into the wall and cause it to crumble. If the wall is capped off in metal, bird droppings can discolor the metal and eventually eat into it, creating unsightly holes.

One of the most effective ways to keep large pest birds off parapet walls is the Bird Spike. Recommended by architects, contractors and government agencies, these spiked strips make it impossible for birds to land on or near the wall. The blunted spikes will not cut or injure the installer and are available in different sizes. You can get long-lasting stainless steel spikes, which come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths; or the less expensive plastic spikes, which come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. Some bird spikes have a non-reflective metal finish.

The best steel bird spikes are manufactured into a UV-protected polycarbonate base. These feature a patented bend-and-crush design to keep the spikes from falling out of the base. The durable stainless steel bird spike comes pre-assembled in two-foot sections. They're easy to install because the strips feature pre-drilled holes along the base, so they can be glued, nailed, or screwed into any surface. One manufacturer offers a 10-year guarantee against UV breakdown of its product.

The best plastic bird spikes are made of a UV-protected polycarbonate plastic. They're GSA approved, humane and blunted at the tips so as not to injure birds or the installer. They work just as effectively as the stainless steel models, but since they are non-conductive, they won't interfere with cell phone antennas, dish antenna or other wireless transmissions or reception. They can also tolerate extreme temperatures from 310°F to -200°F.

Plastic bird spikes come in two-foot sections, 50 feet per box. The spiked strips are available in three different widths--3-, 5- and 7-inch--to accommodate the parapet on which they are installed. The base of the spike is 1.5 inches wide, and can be glued, nailed, or tied down to most surfaces. A handy glue trough on the base of the spike ensures fast, easy application. To more closely match the exterior façade of your commercial building, you can now plastic get bird spikes in different colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. One manufacturer offers a 5-year guarantee on its plastic spikes.

Remember the key to keeping pest birds from your parapet wall is to install effective bird deterrents now, before the birds arrive in spring.

Related articles

• Bird Spikes Keep Spring Birds Away (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Spikes Can Deter Pest Birds from Commercial Buildings (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Plastic Bird Spikes Combine Economy with Efficiency (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Heavy Duty Bird Netting for Your Warehouse: Effective and Humane (birdnet.wordpress.com)

Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes

By: Fran Prisco

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

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

Bird spikes are made in one-foot or two-foot lengths, with different widths.  The widths of the spikes are usually 3”, 5” and 8”.  The width of the bird spike used is determined by the area to be covered.  It is best if the entire surface area that birds are landing on is covered with bird spikes.  Installation of bird spikes is often as easy as applying adhesive or screwing them down.  Once installed bird spikes are virtually invisible, not taking away from architectural detail.  If you look hard around any major city in the country, you will find bird spikes on building ledges, signs, light posts and other areas.

Bird spikes have been labeled as the “most effective type of bird deterrent”.  They are also one of the most economical pest bird deterrents; requiring little to no maintenance once installed.  Bird spikes made of rigid plastic and high-grade stainless steel can last over 10-years installed on a building and retain their effectiveness.  Most are manufactured with U.V. protectors in the plastic so that sun and weather have little effect on the material.  When purchasing bird spikes, be sure that they are constructed of rigid U.V. protected plastic like those available at Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

Related articles

• Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Spikes Can Deter Pest Birds from Commercial Buildings (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Spikes Keep Spring Birds Away (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Plastic Bird Spikes Combine Economy with Efficiency (birdspike.wordpress.com)
• Bird Netting Can Save You Big Money (birdnet.wordpress.com)
• Got Birds? No-Knot Bird Netting Keeps ThemOut of your Commercial Building (birdnet.wordpress.com)
• Heavy Duty Bird Netting for Your Warehouse: Effective and Humane (birdnet.wordpress.com)
• Bird Netting to Deter Pest Birds (birdnet.wordpress.com)
• Stop Pest Birds with Bird Netting (birdnet.wordpress.com)

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.