Bird Repellents: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Bird Repellents for Banks

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can be a real nuisance. So much so that they can actually drive customers away form your place of business.

In the parking lot of Hallandale Beach bank in South Florida, birds have been attacking people for some time now. The slender-billed grackles have been nesting on a ledge just outside of the bank and have been swooping down on customers. Some believe that the birds who arrived about four years ago are simply protecting their turf. Bank officials say their hands are tied because the grackles are a protected species, so no lethal means can be used to remove them. The birds make their attack runs just before the bank closes, which is when most people are coming and going out of the bank. One woman was recently attacked by five birds and ran for the cover of her car.

Banks and other commercial enterprises needn’t stand by helplessly as their customers are attacked by birds. There are a number of commercial available bird repellents that they can use to discourage the birds from nesting on their premises. Two of these bird repellents are listed below:

Chemical Bird Repellents

Humane and effective against a wide variety of large and small birds, Chemical Bird Repellents create a sticky landing area that birds would rather avoid. While not actually trapping them, it makes birds feel trapped. Once they land on the tacky surface, they will leave and seek a more hospitable area to build their nests. Ideal for keeping birds off ledges, trees, fences and bushes or shrubs, the non-toxic liquid gel won't harm birds or people. It’s easily applied using a hand or pressure spray gun with a discharge pressure between 40 to 150 psi (you can get these hand-held pump sprayers at most local hardware stores). A one-gallon container will treat about 120 square feet. And a single application lasts as long as six months outdoors. One caveat: Avoid using chemical bird repellents on building structures, vertical or porous surfaces, or where birds have been nesting.

Fogging Agents

An ideal pest bird repellent, Bird Fogging Agents will clear out a wide range of birds that stubbornly resist leaving an area. They will “persuade” gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds, cowbirds and many other species of birds to move to another site. If pest birds have commandeered your building, one quick way to convince them to leave is by fogging the area. Most fogging agents are humane and won't harm birds, people or pets. This is because the chemical they use is a food-grade methyl anthranilate—basically a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act).

For best repellent effect, fogging agents should be used in the early morning or late evening when the birds are flocked together and eating. Keep in mind that these chemicals require training and experience to properly handle and apply. If you have a bird problem, it’s best to consult an experienced professional.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Bird Repellent Strategies for Apartment Owners

One of the biggest problems faced by apartment owners and their management companies is pest bird infestation. Most buildings have at least one renter who refuses to allow pest control professionals to rid the property of birds. To assuage this difficult renter, owners need to adopt non-lethal and humane bird repellent strategies.

Aside from this minor problem, apartment managers should consider implementing a multi-pronged approach to rid their properties of pest birds. One must go beyond the one-size-fits-all solution to bird control. But before any bird repellent program is implemented, managers should take the following prudent steps to ensure maximum effectiveness:

Inspection. See where the birds are concentrated, where they nest and roost. Look for nests, telltale signs of droppings, and feathers. You may be surprised at the damage birds have already caused to the painted surfaces, wood, roofing tiles, and electrical equipment and wiring. AC units and rain gutters are particularly vulnerable. As are swimming pool areas, which can become easily contaminated with bird droppings. And, of course, there's the legal liability of slip-and-fall hazards that bird droppings create.

Identification. Identify the types and size of pest birds on the property. Take photographs if the birds seem unfamiliar to you. This will help your pest control company choose the right bird repellent for your particular problem.

Monitor. Once your bird control company has installed the proper bird repellent on your property, monitor the effectiveness of the repellent. If birds continue to nest or roost on the property or they decide to move to another area of the property, take note and notify the bird control company. This will allow them to alter their bird repellent strategy to fit the new situation.

Exclusion. If pest birds are finding their way inside the attic areas or other enclosed areas of your units, your bird control company may decide to employ exclusionary bird repellent techniques—like bird netting. Copper mesh may also be used to seal up smaller entry points.

Sanitation. Pest birds are often drawn to food scraps found in and around refuse dumpsters. These areas should be kept clean and dumpster lids should always be kept shut. Bushes, trees and shrubbery should be kept well maintained to eliminate possible nesting and roosting areas. Leaky pipes or poor drainage should be addressed as birds are always on the lookout for easy access to water.

Treatment. Depending on the type of pest bird that has invaded your apartment complex, your bird repellent strategy may include variations in devices. For example, you pest control company may decide to use netting, bird spikes on the rooftops and ledges, followed by non-lethal chemical bird repellents.

Educate Tenants. Let them know that you will be using bird repellent strategies to deter birds from your property. Tell them that the methods you will be using are essentially harmless to birds and humans. And remind them not to feed any birds coming around the property. Also let them know that you are doing this to protect them from any of the 60 diseases that many pest birds carry, disease that are serious and communicable. The goal is to enroll them in your bird repellent efforts.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Bird Repellents for Historical Buildings

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds have been known to cause major damage wherever they gather in large numbers. One type of building that seems particularly vulnerable is the historical building. This is because many of these structures are constructed of limestone or calciferous sandstone, materials that easily succumb to the effects of acids released by bird droppings. These corrosive acids are produced by the organisms that live on and in the droppings.
The fungi that live on pigeon droppings, for example, are primarily responsible for corroding stonework. The root-like mycelium of the fungi enter the stone, transporting the naturally produced acids into the stone to eventually dissolve it. This makes the stone more porous, allowing water to penetrate the deep recesses of the stonework. When this water freezes during the winter, the expanding ice crystals weaken the stone, causing the stone to break up into chips. Water also causes soluble salts in the stone to re-crystallize, creating a bloom of salts on the surface of the stone. If this crystallization occurs just below the surface, the crystals exert pressure on the stone's pores and the stone will eventually crumble.

City Managers Taking a Pro-Active Approach

In an effort to protect a city's historical landmarks and buildings, city managers have come to the conclusion that they must become proactive is repelling pest birds. To this end, many cities have decided to employ a number of humane bird repellents on or near their historic landmarks.

Variety of Bird Repellents

Unlike poisons, shotguns and similar culling methods, today's bird repellants are humane and highly effective. These new bird control methods rely on technology and a bit of bird psychology. All are easy to install and require very little maintenance.

Historically Proven Bird Spikes

The highly acclaimed Bird Spike is among the most widely used pest bird deterrent. These simple devices rely on their ability to prevent larger birds from landing on any surface upon which they are installed. The threatening-looking spikes are made of either stainless steel or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate. The blunted spikes are harmless to birds or humans, having won the approval of the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS.

Bird spikes come in a wide range of types, sizes and colors. Many manufacturers offer spike strips in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. Stainless steel spike strips typically come in 1", 3", 5" and 8" widths. These are available in two-foot sections and are easily installed using glue, nails or screws. Some spikes have a flexible base, which allows them to follow curved surfaces. Crush proof spikes with a non-reflective metal finish are ideal fro historical buildings.
To discourage larger pest birds, opt for Stainless Steel Girder Spikes. These usually come in standard two-foot sections and 3”, 5”, and 8” widths. The spikes use adjustable “C” clamps along the base, which makes them easier to install. For large birds like seagulls, cormorants, turkey vultures, and raptors, there's the Mega Spike, which has long 7” high spikes made of marine-grade stainless steel.

To keep pest birds from clogging exterior drains and gutters, there's the Gutter Spike. Ideal for repelling seagulls, crows and pigeons, these spikes come in two-foot long spike strips and adjustable base clamps for easy installation.

Spiders For Out of the Way Ledges

The handy Bird Spider is an ideal bird repellent that, like the spike, discourages pest birds from landing. Essentially bases with spider-like tentacles waving in the breeze, spiders are easily placed just about anywhere; ideally used on rooftops covering vents and AC units. They come with different length spider arms to deter a wide range of bird types and sizes.

Watch 'em Slip on these Nifty Slopes

Bird Slopes deny all pest birds the ability to land. As a bird repellent, they are surprisingly simple and very effective. The PVC panels create a slippery angled slope birds can't seem to get a grip on. Aesthetically pleasing and available in several different colors, bird slopes blend in easily with most architectural designs. They are easy to install and ideal for use on eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree areas.

Icky, Sticky Bird Repellent

Pest birds will land on this bird repellent and never come back. Widely used on buildings and other structures, Bird Gel is basically a sticky chemical goo that birds hate. It's safe for birds and is easy to apply to almost any surface using a standard caulking gun.

Your Basic Netting Bird Deterrent

Keeping them off by keeping them out is a simple tactic that has worked for centuries against pest birds. Thus the raison d'tre of Bird Netting. This simple but effective bird deterrent comes in several different mesh sizes to deter all manner of pest birds--including pigeons, sparrows, starlings and seagulls. The best bird netting is flame resistant, U.V. stabilized, and rot and waterproof. Netting also comes in various colors to blend in better with surrounding architectures.

Electrical Repellents Give Pest Birds a Charge

Electric Track Bird Repellants are both humane and effective. Pest birds daring to land get zapped on these electrified tracks. These devices are simple to install and will repel a variety of birds--including pigeons, seagulls and larger birds. The best electric tracks incorporate a flow-through design that prevents water from pooling around them.