If youre looking for bird repellent devices, our stainless steel and plastic bird spikes offer a variety of benefits. These roof bird spikes go by many other names, but they are essentially metal strips with small spikes that you can install on ledges, beams or anywhere the birds like to sit. In fact, some cats are stubborn enough to sit on the spikes as if they werent even there. Bird wire is a discreet, almost invisible deterrent that prevents birds from landing on ledges. The very ironic use of such a nesting material is the subject of a study recently conducted by scientists from the Netherlands' Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Natural History Museum Rotterdam. This is not ideal in a product designed to keep the birds away! This way, they will seek out more suitable nesting areas. Contact us to perform this inspection and complete any repairs your roof needs. Roof Warranty: What It Is and What It Is Not Part 3 of 3, Do Birds Damage Your Roof? A bird control spike, also known as an anti-roosting spike, [1] pigeon spike, or roost modification, is a device consisting of long, needle-like rods used for bird control. Birds are intelligent creatures and may find ways to bypass the spikes, such as by building nests in other areas. Do Bird Spikes Harm Birds - Seek For Pet Bird spikes come in a variety of sizes and styles, but they all essentially work in the same way. All Rights Reserved. Whilst bird spikes are widely used in the UK, we are often asked questions concerning pigeon and bird spikes, so heres some of the answers and benefits of installing spikes. It doesnt matter if the predator isnt native to your area birds fear of these animals is instinctive, not learned. The pointy spikes may look dangerous though their chances of hurting a bird are virtually Nil. A: Bird spikes are designed to be a humane way to prevent birds from landing on surfaces, and they do not cause any physical harm to birds. The spikes are nailed to the top of fences or applied to walls but be aware that warning signs are sometimes required alerting people to the risks. Birds have highly acidic droppings that can damage roofing materials and potentially other equipment on the roof, such as HVAC units. Cats hate prickly plants and they are not keen on wet soil, small pebbles or anything else that feels uncomfortable under foot. Bird spikes are a humane bird deterrent as the bird doesn't come into direct contact with the bird spikes. While momentarily painful, these systems can be designed to deliver a very small shock that doesnt do long-term damage to the bird and is very effective. A bird on the roof may seem like a beautiful guest but youll soon realize that birds can cause all kinds of damage to your roof and everything you store under it. Fish and Wildlife Service does issue permits for otherwise illegal activity under the Migratory Bird Act, including moving nests. While not physical damage to your building or products, this could certainly damage your business. One-time solution when installed properly! There are far more suitable, effective, neighbour and animal friendly solutions that are available. They may also reduce the quality of air in your building or impede proper roof ventilation, trapping moisture inside. Our nationwide Teams of bird proofing expertswill work with you to ensure bird spiking is the right solution for you. Understanding the type of damage a bird may cause to your building can help you determine which bird prevention strategies you need to employ. According to Project FeederWatch, birds prefer birdbaths that are at ground level, but will visit raised baths as well. Cat spikes are sometimes used by homeowners hoping to prevent animals from gaining access to their property. Using spikes to keep birds away is an excellent solution to your pest bird problem. These roof bird spikes dont hurt the birds, but make it uncomfortable or impossible for them to sit; so, they simply have to fly elsewhere. Typically, pigeon spikes and bird spikes can be used on walls, ledges, roofs, on top of CCTV cameras, solar panels, air conditioning units and even on commercial signs to deter pigeons and birds. If your roof has been heavily soiled with bird droppings, you may have to replace the cap layer rather than attempt to clean it. Permanent damage can arise if not cleaned in a timely manner and even worse, your reputation can potentially be ruined. Bird spikes are a series of long, sharp wires jutting up from surfaces on which birds like to land and possibly nest. This is especially true for open platform feeders. You'll have a full feeder, but no visitors," says Greig. This prevents the birds wanting to land there again. Not all plants are loved by cats so choosing planting can make a huge difference to how cats feel about entering your space. Bird netting is a very low tech solution that works best for preventing birds accessing areas of roofs and building nests. If thats true, it could be illegal. Bird Wire & Bird Jolt Flat Track are both great alternatives if you are looking for a permanent solution similar to spike, but require a little more prepping, planning, and expertise when installing. Cat fence top barriers are attached to the fences and can be removed and relocated if the homeowner moves or no longer requires them. Need Help? These include the following: Spikes work to deter birds by preventing them from roosting comfortably. We are happy to providea free site survey to establish the most effectivesolution foryour bird control problem. Infrequent Cleaning Routine. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Bird Spikes - Your questions and answers - NBC Environment Install bird control spikes on common bird landing surfaces, such as rooftop edges, ledges, window sills, chimneys, or anywhere pest bird roosting and nesting occur. It is often illegal to remove a birds nest from the roof, under the Migratory Bird Act. Our carefully designed spike systems create frustration and effectively discourage birds from roosting on your property. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. ), but it does create a psychological barrier through negative association, that will prevent the bird from wanting to land on your property again. This backup may raise the water level, potentially allowing water to rush into areas it isnt designed to go, such as between roof layers, into vents and into any vulnerable areas of the roof. When it comes to bird control, bird spikes are one of the primary tools of the trade. The original spiky magpie nest can currently be seen in Naturalis' LiveScience room (free of charge), while the crow's nest is on display at the Natural History Museum Rotterdam. Acidic droppings: A bird on the roof is sure to leave droppings everywhere. Once youve found a bird-proofing solution that works for your roof, youll also need to repair the damage the birds have caused. So keep those feeders clean, filled with good seed, and in a protected spot. But, wherever you have roosting birds, a trail of bird poop is sure to follow. Bird Spikes do just that, they simply get in the way of birds when they attempt to land, gently persuading them to move on. You are also agreeing to Bird B Gone, Incs Privacy Policy. Risks to employees: Bird droppings create unsanitary conditions for employees. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Aesthetically, anti-roosting strips dont cause a problem, as they arent usually visible. They had been pulled by the birds, from about 50 meters (164 ft) of the hospital's eaves. Pain is not the goal; bird spikes are an anti-roosting device that thwarts birds efforts to land and roost by making it impossible for their feet to reach the flat surface. Bird spikes are designed to deter birds from roosting in desirable areas. At Bird B Gone, we offer plastic and stainless steel bird spikes. Just because you want to eliminate a bird problem from around your business doesn't mean you want to see all of the birds suffer. Birds like a sheltered spot where they can perch, such as the branches of trees or shrubs, until they're ready to take a turn at the feeder. The only thing youll notice once bird control spikes are installed is the absence of birds. Yet, it is illegal to remove some empty nests because some species reuse their nests. The spikes are generally plastic and are not barbed so as to cut or injure the . Bird B Gone bird spikes are a humane solution to the difficult problem of nuisance birds. Are bird spikes a humane way to deal with problem pigeons? "If you are going to feed birds, keep your cats inside, and talk to your neighbors about why they should as well," says Holloran, "Otherwise you may just be providing a lunch buffet for your feline friends!". Airflow issues: Birds make their nests out of naturally flammable materials, such as grasses, twigs, bark, moss, and other fibers. You can also buy smelly or sticky substances that you can apply to your roof. If you have water on your property, such as a pond or fountain, you can purchase battery-operated decoy crocodiles, which will swim around. This method is great for urban areas with heavy infestations of birds such as pigeons and seagulls. However, it is important to note that birds can still fly into the spikes and become injured, so it is important to use bird spikes in a responsible and safe manner. A feeder attached to the outside of a window for small songbirds is particularly fun; you can watch visitors up close without disturbing them. Theres nothing Rachel Belway can do about the baby birds. It's important to change the water regularly to keep it fresh and clean. They act as a bird deterrent to encourage them to move on to another location and are in no way cruel. Why do bird spikes work? And, birds may get used to the substances. Bird spikes may look dangerous and harmful to birds, but they are simply designed to stop birds attempting to land on a surface. Other bird-deterrent systems actively hurt birds; such systems include those that deliver small electrical shocks to the bird when it lands. Bird spikes are narrow strips of spikes that can be attached to eaves, roofs, window sills, and anywhere else large birds land or congregate. The cat owner will more than likely try to take steps to stop their pet from causing you any distress. You may unsubscribe at any time. To avoid this, you can move the decoy every three to four days to a new position, or alternate between dummies, which use different scare tactics (e.g., exchange one that moves in the wind for one that has reflective eyes) so the birds dont have the chance to adjust to the mannequin. It could have hit a window. Bird spikes are a gentle, humane way to let birds know that an area is off limits to roosting. Most birds realise the potential threat in front of them and avoid the surface. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. It is possible that the acid from the droppings has compromised the integrity of the material, affecting its performance. Clever birds collect debris to drop over the spikes and form the basis of a nest. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the spikes are not sharp and not illegal in your country. Why Bird Spikes Are Effective - Bird Barrier However, you may have to repeat this frequently to get good results. Birds are intelligent creatures and may find ways to bypass the spikes, such as by building nests in other areas. Even sub-lethal pesticide exposure can harm birds by disorienting them during migration, reducing their ability to maintain weight, and decreasing their ability to avoid predators. Cat spikes can also cause problems with neighbours that are unhappy about the spikes being installed on shared fences. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In addition to this, scents that are distasteful to birds can be added to act as negative stimuli and encourage the bird to go somewhere more suitable. You might be tempted to create your own spike system. February 18, 2023 by Levi William Do Bird Spikes Hurt Birds? Birds get revenge by using anti-bird spikes in nests - BBC News Make sure the feeders have no nooks or crannies that birds can get stuck in. Call our friendly team for advice today on 0800 999 4008. Birds may be attracted to this pond as a place to drink or bathe. Should Canada allow alcohol consumption in public parks? #6: Clean the spot where the nest was located with warm water and soap. When communal roosting takes place in the birds natural habitat, its totally fine. Once the nesting season has ended, and the fledglings have left, you can remove most nests legally. These materials increase your risk of fires, particularly when they are built next to HVAC equipment or inside of air vents. Even if the nest is no longer in use, it may be illegal to remove it, as some species use the same nest year after year. Contrary to what you might think, bird spikes do not in any way harm birds. Birds that are small enough can still clutch the edge of a building or even the spikes themselves if necessary. Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter, info about classes in your area, product offers and more! The Dutch magpies look like a cross between the Australian magpie and the willy wag-tail. They act as a bird deterrent to encourage them to move on to another location and are in no way cruel. Whilst bird spikes and pigeon spikes may look severe, they do not hurt birds, but prevent them from being able to land. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Gels without active ingredients have a sticky consistency that birds dislike as it restricts their ability to move freely. Bird spikes are a type of bird control device that is designed to prevent birds from landing on ledges, windowsills, and other flat surfaces. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the spikes are not sharp and not illegal in your country. However, birds can still fly into the spikes and become injured, so it is important to use bird spikes in a responsible and safe manner. Heres our guide to every type of bird damage and what you can do to keep the birds from nesting on your roof. Another alternative to bird spikes is to provide birds with a safe and comfortable place to live and feed. The spikes themselves are designed to make it difficult for birds to land without causing any actual harm or injury. They also can legally trap and release birds, under certain circumstances. Registered Number: 2365774 | VAT Number: 529 3948 07 Pest Defence Ltd 2023. But don't place the feeder under strong branches that can be used by cats who may lie in wait for unsuspecting birds. For temporary installations, strips can be nailed, screwed, or even tied down with plastic zip ties. Toll Free: 800-392-6915 Heres why: The design of the Bird B Gone spike system is benign. Do Birds Damage Your Roof? Here is What To Do - Adco South Roofing You may unsubscribe at any time. Supreme Court won't examine sharing of Canadian bank account info with U.S. Lisa Marie Presley died from small bowel obstruction caused by bariatric surgery, coroner says, Movie reviews: 'Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One' is the ne plus ultra of modern, big-budget filmmaking, Fran Drescher: 'What is happening to us is happening in all fields of labour', Jenny Craig bankruptcy leaves former Alta. The magpies placed the spikes so they protruded outward from the roofed nest, in order to discourage other birds from going in and eating the eggs or chicks. They install quickly and work well, but they are a temporary solution. Upon closer examination, that nest was found to contain approximately 1,500 anti-bird spikes. Bird spikes aren't designed to hurt birds. This law protects all migratory birds, their nests, and eggs from transport of any kind unless you have a license to move them. World-class and revolutionary preventative cat care which enables every cat to access a safe outdoor territory and every cat owner to experience total peace of mind. 2023 Bird B Gone LLC. Suitable for both domestic and commercial properties, The system is designed to withstand all weather types, Requires maintenance to ensure the system works long term, Able to withstand extreme weather conditions, Relatively short longevity, looking to last 2 years onwards. She wants them removed. Tiny birds use their feet to clutch branches, cables, and other objects. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A: Yes, there are alternatives to bird spikes for bird control, such as bird netting, bird repellent gels, and birdhouses and feeders. If youre considering drastic action, we recommend trying the options below. This does not physically harm the bird (Avishock is even approved and recommended by several animal rights groups!