Bird Deterrent Products

by Fran Prisco

Every year thousands of dollars are spent by building owners, homeowners and property managers cleaning up after birds.  Birds become a problem when they decide to land, roost and nest on our buildings and homes, leaving behind debris, damage and droppings.  Not only do pest birds leave an unsightly mess, it can also be a health hazard.  Birds such as pigeons and gulls can carry any of 60 plus transmittable diseases in their droppings.  Bird droppings are also acidic and can quickly eat away at building materials and paint.

Building owners and homeowners alike have found that the best way to get rid of birds is to install some sort of bird deterrent system.  Choosing the correct bird control product for any bird problems depends on what type of bird is a problem, where they are a problem and what they are doing.  Once you have answered these questions, you can choose the proper bird deterrent to do the job.

Before installing any type of bird deterrent, it is important to do a thorough cleanup. It is best to power wash or spray bird droppings down and remove them while wet.  Dried bird droppings can cause dust which when breathed in may carry any of 60 plus communicable diseases.   Bird Droppings are also acidic and can quickly erode building and roofing materials, not to mention that they are a safety hazard on sidewalks, causing slip and fall accidents.

Bird Deterrents for Commercial Applications

Bird Spikes are an ideal way to keep larger birds such as pigeons and gulls from landing on commercial buildings.  They are easily installed using adhesive, screws or tie downs.  Use birds spikes to keep birds from landing on ledges, roof edges and peaks, parapet walls, windowsills and other flat surfaces.  Be sure to cover the entire surface with bird spikes so the birds cannot land around them.  Often times, if birds can land around the spikes, they will use them as a nesting area.  Made from stainless steel or polycarbonate plastic, bird spikes are rugged and long lasting.  Once installed there is little maintenance; periodic cleaning of debris buildup from nearby trees or shrubs is all it takes.

Electric Bird Repellers are electrified track that give pigeons a small “jolt” when they touch the track.  They are easily installed on parapet walls, roof edges and peaks, ledges and even channel letters.  Install the track with an outdoor adhesive and connect to a solar or direct charger.  When the pigeons are “Zapped” by the electrical current running through the track, they will change their landing and roosting habits and find another more comfortable area.  Electric bird repellents are low profile, usually no more than ¼” high, which does not take away from the buildings aesthetics.  These bird control tracks are one of the most specified systems by architects, government offices and contractors.

Bird Netting is used on and in commercial buildings with severe bird problems.  Bird net is an exclusionary bird deterrent; it excludes birds from areas that they are unwanted.  Bird netting is ideal to use in large warehouses, airplane hangars, “Big Box” stores and food processing plants.  It can also be used on building facades to protect signs, channel letters and architectural features.  It is best to hire a professional to install bird netting, if not done properly, the netting may sag and allow birds to get underneath it.