Bird Deterrent Products

Cell-phone towers are becoming as ubiquitous as trees. Over 100,000 towers are listed in a federal database, with some 22,000 new towers having been erected in just the past five years. Without proper bird deterrents, the towers can be dangerous to birds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, between 5 million and 50 million birds die each year when they slam into towers that are used to power cellular telephones, pagers, televisions and radios, Migrating birds crash into these towers because they are lighted at nigh and attract birds. Bird deterrents can prevent these mishaps.

According to environmentalists, birds killed or injured include such endangered migratory songbirds as the black rail, Bell's vireo, the golden-winged warbler and Henslow's sparrow. Most songbirds fly at night and orient themselves via starlight. In bad weather, birds often mistake tower lights for stars. The birds keep circling until they collide with the tower, support wires, or each other. The problem is that birds are sensitive to magnetic radiation to the point where microwaves interfere with their sensors and misguide them while navigating. Environmentalists have urged cell phone companies to install bird deterrents to save the birds.

But collisions aren't the only danger cell phone towers pose to birds. A study by a team in Panjab University found that the EMR (electromagnetic radiation) could damage bird eggs and embryos. The frequency of 900 or 1,800 MHz can result in thinner bird skulls and eggshells.

Then there's the damage birds inflict on the towers. Bird droppings can corrode copper fittings and connections and thus interrupt service. They can also corrode supporting braces and structures and damage plastics. Bird nests can plug rain gutters and vents,  which can lead to water damage and short circuits.

Another problem with bird droppings on cell phone towers is that the droppings carry diseases. Maintenance workers can become seriously ill when they disturb dried droppings and nests and inhale the dust, bacteria and spores that live in bird droppings.

Finally, bird droppings can cause potentially lethal slip-and-fall hazards as maintenance workers maneuver around cell phone towers—some of which are in dangerously lofty perches. The right bird deterrent can keep pest birds away from these towers.

One way to discourage pest birds from avoiding cell phone towers is through the use of Plastic Bird Spikes.  Plastic bird spikes are made of a rigid polycarbonate plastic.  They are U.V. protected and non-conductive, making them ideal for installation on cell phone towers.  Plastic bird spikes come in a variety of colors to match the towers, so once installed they will be virtually invisible.  The best plastic bird spikes will come with a 5-year guarantee making them one of the longest lasting bird deterrents on the market.

by Alex A. Kecskes

In these tough economic times, you have to do whatever you can to protect your business. And that means limiting repair and maintenance costs to your structure and its systems. It also means keeping your business clean and attractive-looking for customers. If the exterior of our building is covered with bird droppings, you have to spend money to keep windows, doors and entryways clean.  If you're A.C. systems, rooftop ventilators, skylights and gutter systems are damaged or clogged by bird droppings, feathers and other bird debris, it's money down the drain.

Aside from being a nuisance, pest birds can cause you all sorts of problems. But there is something you can do now to keep birds from calling your place of business their home. It's called Bird Control.  Here are three bird control measures you can implement that will save you a lot of time and money.

Bird Wires. These simple post-and-wire systems can be strung up just about anywhere—on rooftops, along parapet walls, over signs and windows. When birds try to land on bird wires, they shimmy and wobble and soon leave. These wires are also ideal for keeping large birds off ledges, handrails and similar areas. And they are easy to install on most surfaces. They are also safe and humane, and have been approved even for use on Federal and State government structures. The best bird wire systems use nylon coated stainless steel wire to last longer in punishing weather. Bird wires are an affordable, low profile, low visibility solution to deter pigeons, crows, gulls and many other pest birds. While recommended for large pest birds, bird wire systems should not be used in areas where birds have been nesting.

Transparent Bird Gel. If your rooflines, ledges, open beams and other areas are covered with bird droppings and you're tired of the smell, you can use this gel to keep them off these areas. Bird gel works equally well on signs, conduit, pipes and other problem areas. The reason it works is because birds hate to step on the sticky surface. After a few steps they leave. The bird deterrent gel can be used in temperatures from 15F to 200F and it usually lasts up to 6 months outdoors. It's easily applied using a caulking gun. Spread it on problem areas to keep pigeons, sparrows, crows, gulls, starlings and many other pest birds from nesting and roosting. The gel is non-toxic to birds and maintenance crews. Best of all, the gel is practically invisible.

Bird Spikes. Seems everyone has been using these spikes to keep birds from landing on their retail establishments.  And who can blame them?  They work.  Birds try to land on or near them and they soon give up and move on. Bird spikes are among the most effective bird deterrents ever devised and are ideal for all manner of pest birds—including pigeons, seagulls and similar large birds. They're easily installed and come in either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. The steel spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths; the plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. The plastic spikes can be used near cell phone antennas and TV dishes, since they won't interfere with RF energy. Today's bird deterrent spikes also come in a non-reflective metal finish and a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes won't harm birds or maintenance crews. They have been approved by the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

by Alex A. Kecskes

We have a love-hate relationship with our fine-feathered friends. Poets love them. Property managers can do without them. Like anything in this world, too many birds can be a real problem. Suddenly, what was endearing becomes a pest. One that's noisy, messy and damaging to almost everything it lands on. The solution? Bird deterrents.

In days of old, this meant culling by birdshot, trained predator –like hawks, or poisons. Today, thanks to environmentalists, there are far more humane ways of discouraging pest birds. These bird deterrents have come just in time. For today, pest birds have so many more places to perch, nest and wreak havoc.

It's no surprise to many that the damage pest birds cause cost businesses and municipalities millions annually. Their droppings contain highly concentrated uric acid, which can alter the color of painted surfaces, permanently stain wood and, over time, erode even metal and stone. Many a stone façade or gleaming bronze statue has been reduced to pitted or crumbling rubble thanks to bird droppings. And many have been saved from this fate by bird deterrents.

Then there are the health hazards that bird droppings create. Bacteria and parasites that live and grow in bird droppings can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. Needless to say, keeping bird droppings away from outdoor eateries, parks and public playgrounds, schools and day-care centers can be a crucial first step in preventing the spread of some very serious diseases. Once again, bird deterrents can help keep pest birds at bay and shoo them away.

Thanks to some inventive people, today's bird deterrents are both humane and effective. They run the gamut from high tech to simple and economical. Most can be used in any situation or location and provide relief from a wide range of pest birds. 

One bird deterrent that has been proven effective is the bird gel. Applied like calk from a calking gun, gels create a sticky surface that birds simply can't stand; yet they're safe for birds (except swallows) and people. Gels are ideally suited for I-beams, parapet walls, ledges, conduit, pipes, and flat or curved surfaces where pest birds like to gather.

Another simple bird deterrent is the Bird Spike strip. Ideal for pigeons and other large birds, they require no maintenance and are easy to install. Some have stainless steel bird spikes that look menacing but are harmless to birds. Others feature spikes of rigid unbreakable polycarbonate--ideal for areas where electrical conductivity prohibits the use of steel spikes. Bird spikes are particularly useful for rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, and other open areas. Another simple bird deterrent is the Bird Spider. Ideal for boat canvas covers, biminis, radar antennas and other areas, the spider arms come in a variety of diameters and undulate with the breeze, discouraging a wide range of larger pest birds such as pigeons and gulls from landing.

For courtyards, canopies, signs, warehouses, airplane hangars and rooftops, there's Bird Netting. This highly effective bird deterrent discourages many species of birds from landing. Heavy-duty bird netting is most often prescribed by architects. Some brands have ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric that's U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. For many applications, non-conductive webbing is preferred. Netting is usually available in 3/4", 1-1/8" and 2" mesh sizes to deter sparrows, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and larger birds.

Finally, an entire family of higher-tech bird deterrents. Included here are the electric-track bird deterrent products. These are ideal for deterring all types of pest birds. Easily mounted on ledges, signs, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces, they utilize an electrified track to impart a mild electric shock to discourage pest birds from landing. Once shocked, birds are convinced that the area is definitely not bird friendly, thus altering a bird’s habits to land and nest there. Some low-profile systems are almost invisible. Others feature a flow-through design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops and other surfaces. Opt for marine grade Monel knitted wire, if you can. It's stronger than steel, and highly resistant to corrosion, alkali and acidic environments. The knitted designs have a single strand of higher gauge wire and a tube-within-a-tube design that allows for greater conductivity and enhanced strength.

So there you have it. While there's no shortage of pest birds today, there's also no shortage of bird deterrents to shoo them away.

Spring can be a time of flowering gardens, backyard barbeques and pool parties with friends and relatives. Unfortunately, Spring also draws some unwelcome guests—pest birds. Unless you've implemented bird deterrents before they arrive, these winged pests will undoubtedly make themselves at home in your backyard, patio, and garden .  They'll build nests and leave unsightly droppings in your freshly cleaned pool and spa. Birds will also leave their little deposits on your sparkling barbeque, shade umbrellas, walkways and garden ornaments.  

The key to keeping pest birds away before they flock to your property in Spring is preparation in the form of effective pest bird deterrents. But which should you choose?  A few suggestions:

 Bird Spikes. Ideal for awnings, patio covers and rooflines, these tried and true bird deterrents keep pest birds from landing. If you're on a tight budget, opt for the rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate bird spikes. If you want them to last practically forever, go with the flexible stainless steel spikes. No matter which you choose, bird spikes come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install and won’t harm birds. They work quite well in discouraging all manner of pest birds, keeping them off of pipes, chimneys, cutouts, and light fixtures. When installing them, make sure you cover the area tightly to prevent birds from sneaking around them. That means closing off corners and all open sides of a ledge.

 Bird Netting. This physical barrier deterrent keeps pest birds away from courtyards, patio covers, and rooftops. The best heavy-duty bird netting is most often prescribed by architects. Its ISO 1806 mesh-test polyethylene fabric is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. The sub-zero stable, non-conductive webbing comes in 3/4-inch, 1-1/8-inch and 2-inch mesh sizes to deter all manner of pest birds. Bird netting should be positioned over window recesses, balconies or even whole rooftops to prevent birds from gaining a foothold in nesting areas.

Bird Slopes. These angled, slippery PVC panels deny pest birds a stable place to land. No matter how hard they try, their little legs will just "squirrel cage" endlessly until they finally give up and move on. Perfect for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree nooks and crannies, bird slopes present an unobtrusive bird-proofing method that blends into the architecture of a home or building. The panels come in several colors and can be easily painted to match any home’s décor. When installing bid slope panels on wide ledges, the panel's flat base glues to any clean surface. For narrow ledges, the fins can be trimmed down. The best bird slope panels are made of UV-stabilized polycarbonate.

Keep in mind that all of these bird deterrents should be installed before pest birds arrive in the Spring. If you're not ready for the birds, they'll move right in.