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 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.

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 Spike. These are ideal bird control device for keeping pest birds out of rain gutters. The best gutter bird 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.

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”!

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.

Related articles

• Three Bird Deterrents to Protect Your Retail Business (bird-deterrent-products.com)
• How to Use and Install Plastic Bird Spikes (how-to-install-bird-spikes.com)

Bird Spikes Can Save Hawker Centers and Other Open-Air Eateries

by Alex A. Kecskes

Not long ago, pigeons invaded the Sims Lane hawker center in Singapore. The birds swooped down on empty tables to feast on leftover food. This created a potential health hazard for patrons who ate at the center.

A hawker center is typically an open-air complex most often found in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Riau Islands. Usually situated near public housing estates, bus interchanges or train stations, the centers house many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food.
At Sims Lane, pigeons took advantage of dirty plates and bowls containing leftover rice and soup that were not removed quickly after patrons left their tables. In some cases, pigeons flocked to the main area of the hawker center while patrons were still eating at nearby tables. In the worst of all scenarios, the filthy birds left droppings on the tables. This can be real problem since birds can carry any of 60 known undesirable diseases—including the potentially lethal West Nile Virus.

All across the US, open-air fast food restaurants face the same challenge: How to keep filthy pigeons and other disease carrying birds from feasting and leaving droppings on tables and chairs. One way to prevent pigeons from swooping down on tables and chairs at outdoor eateries is to deny them a perch from which to survey the “food landscape.” Very seldom do pigeons simply swoop down from the sky without first making sure that food is present and that it is safe to land. This is where Bird Spikes come in. If birds can’t find a place from which to perch and observe, they will simply move on.

For best deterrent results, bird spikes should be mounted on rooflines, signs, light fixtures, awnings, umbrellas, parapet walls and other elevated areas. The spiked strips come in stainless steel spikes or plastic spikes. The stainless steel spikes cost a bit more but they last longer. The plastic spikes are non-conductive and come in a variety of colors—including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. Even custom colors are now available. This means the spikes can blend in with an eatery’s color scheme and be almost invisible. The best plastic spikes are made of rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate to last longer in harsh weather.

Bird spikes install easily. 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 that much easier. Look for bird spikes that are crush proof and have a non-reflective metal finish.

Pigeons will often build nests in clogged rain gutters. To deter pigeons out of these areas, you’ll need what’s called a Gutter Bird Spike. These uniquely designed bird spikes typically come in two-foot long strips. Look for gutter spikes that have adjustable clamps at the base so they can be readily affixed to the lip of a gutter. If your eatery has curved signs and rooftops, you should look for bird spikes that have a flexible base.

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.

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

Related articles

• How to Use and Install Plastic Bird Spikes (bird-spike.com)
• Bird Proof Spikes Keep Pest Birds Away (bird-spike.com)
• Plastic Bird Spikes for Big Pest Birds (bird-spike.co)

Plastic Bird Spikes for Big Pest Birds

by Alex A. Kecskes

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

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

Pesky Pigeons 

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

Cantankerous Crows

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

How to Use and Install Plastic Bird Spikes

by Alex A. Kecskes

Plastic bird spikes are an effective pest bird-proofing tool for many property owners across the country and around the world. What makes them so effective is that, no matter how they try, large pest birds just can't seem to get their wings or feet around them to land. After a few tries, birds just give up and move on. Plastic bird spikes are also more economical than steel spikes.

Where other means and products have failed, plastic bird spikes have succeeded in keeping pest birds from gathering and roosting on chimneys, ledges and signs. They have been equally effective in deterring pest birds from beams, parapets, security cameras and street light fixtures. In fact, these spikes have dissuaded birds from nesting in places once thought to be a haven for pest birds. It's no surprise that plastic bird spikes have been widely recommended by building contractors, architects, and municipalities for their effectiveness in deterring pest birds.

One of the key benefits of using plastic bird spikes is that, unlike steel bird spikes, they are non-conductive, which means they can safely be used near power lines, electrical switches, phone lines, transmission towers, junction boxes and electrical signs. They also won't interfere with radiated transmissions, so you can use them near cell phone towers, airport towers, relay stations and other areas where high frequency transmissions are being beamed into the air.

And like their stainless steel counterparts, plastic bird spikes are humane. Which means you can use them openly and freely to deter a wide range of birds--particularly, large birds like seagulls, which may be protected in some areas of the country. Beyond that, you'll know that you're using a bird deterrent that won't harm any bird species--for your own peace of mind. The fact is that while plastic spikes look like they might impale anything that flies near them, appearances can be deceiving. The blunted plastic spikes won't harm birds, pets or installation crews. This is one reason why plastic bird spikes have earned the approval of practically every humane group around the world--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Another advantage that gives plastic bird spikes enormous flexibility is that they can be used in harsh weather conditions. This is because plastic bird spikes are extremely rugged. Made of 100% post-industrial plastic materials, the spikes are borne of discarded scrap plastic that is ground up and reformed into pellets. The pellets are used to create extremely strong eco-friendly bird repellent spikes. Each spike is U.V. protected to withstand long periods in sunlight and bad weather. They're not affected by extreme temperatures, and they can deter pest birds in the face of +310 degrees F to -200 degrees. F.

For those concerned about bird spikes detracting from the appearance of their building or structure, plastic bird spikes will assuage their worries. The new generation of plastic bird spikes is available in a full spectrum of colors. Which means you can use them above signs, marquees, and other buildings where other bird control measures might pose a distraction. Plastic spike color choices now include white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and even crystal clear-- to match a building's exterior décor.

As mentioned earlier, plastic bird spikes can be used to deter a wide range of birds. The spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. Which means, if you're being inundated by large birds like pigeons, crows, gulls, vultures or raptors, plastic spikes will save you from their onslaught.

Plastic bird spikes are easy to install and require virtually no maintenance. The spikes can be used as soon as you take them out of their packing container. There's nothing to assemble. They are also very economical. One row of plastic spikes will cover an area 8-inches wide.
Before installing plastic bird spikes, thoroughly clean all surfaces using a 10 percent bleach or ammonia solution to disinfect the area. Remember to clear out all debris, overhanging branches, leaves, and nesting materials before disinfecting the area. Pest bird droppings and nests often carry infectious diseases, so be sure to wear gloves when cleaning out an area and use extreme care when removing any nests and droppings.

When installing the spikes, make sure you leave at least a 1/2-inch overhang on the outer edge of a ledge, roofline, windowsill, or similar landing. This will ensure that any pest bird that approaches the spike will not find a way around it. For areas wider than 8 inches, be sure to install multiple rows of plastic spikes to ensure complete coverage. Birds are pretty clever and will try to find a small area between the spikes to negotiate a landing.

For maximum ease of installation, the spiked strips come in two-foot sections and feature a flexible base. This allows them to easily conform to any flat or curved area you may have. Some plastic bird spikes even have pre-drilled holes along the base, which will allow the strip to be glued or screwed onto any surface. While the plastic spikes normally come in two-foot sections, these can easily be cut down into smaller lengths if needed using tin snips, wire cutters, or a hacksaw.

When installing plastic bird spikes on conduits or curved surfaces, gutters or pipes, use common hose clamps, nylon ties or wire lashings. For large flat surfaces, install multiple rows of spikes. For high-perched surfaces, install spikes on either side of the perch. When installing plastic spikes on wood, use wood screws, make sure the ends are secured tightly, and place at least one screw every six inches. For concrete installations, use outdoor construction adhesive and run a bead line of adhesive down the underside of the spike. Silicone adhesives are not recommended.

Related articles

• Pest Birds Hate Bird Spikes (plasticbirdspikes.co)
• Top 10 Reasons to Use Plastic Bird Spikes (birdspikesnow.blogetery.com)