Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pigeon Control…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

by Alex A. Kecskes
There have been many ways and means to achieve pigeon control. Some effective, some not so effective, and others just plain nasty.
The most obvious and shortsighted is to simply shoot them. This is ill advised by most agriculture departments and pigeon control experts, since pigeons are most prolific in cities and well-populated areas, and firearms are outlawed by most municipalities. One tends next to turn to pigeon poisons, but these have often failed in the long run because the first birds to die are the weak and old, leaving more room for fertile birds to reproduce. Still another strategy that has met with mixed enthusiasm is to fine those who feed pigeons. As most people know, pigeons are scavengers and will find plenty of food without resorting to direct handouts from humans. At one point, New York City even proposed creating a "pigeon czar" to look into various methods of pigeon control.
Perhaps the most bizarre way of getting rid of the annoying "rock doves" came from one very frustrated individual who had had it with the pests defacing statues. The idea was to install a magnetic coil on the protuberances of every statue. The pigeons would then be fed grain containing Semtex (or C4 plastic explosive) along with a micro detonator. When birds landed on the statue, the detonator would be activated by the magnetic coil and boom, the hapless birds would be sent to Valhalla. The charge would be just powerful enough to "off" the bird yet small enough to prevent if from splattering apart. Needless to say, animal rights groups were not in love with the concept.
Fortunately, there are far more humane, safe and sane ways of pigeon control currently available.
Bird Wire Systems
Pretty simple when you think about it. Birds like to land on wires. They land on these wires and do the boogie trying to keep from falling off. After a few seconds, they leave. Bird Wire Systems with their post-and-spring-wire set-ups are anything but stable. String these pigeon control systems up wherever pigeons have been a nuisance--on the roofs, ledges, railings, signs, etc. The systems install easily and are often used on Federal and State government buildings. The best systems feature nylon coated stainless steel wire to last longer.
Bird Slopes
Sometimes called the invisible pigeon control deterrent, Bird Slopes look good and work great. These angled, slippery PVC panels make it virtually impossible for pigeons to land in all those 90-degree nooks and crannies of a building or structure. Birds slip and slide off these panels like teens at a waterpark. The panels even come in several colors to blend in with your building's aesthetics. U.V.-stabilized polycarbonate panels are best as they stand up and stay slick in punishing weather.
Bird Motels
They go in and you take them out--far out to the boondocks. That's the idea behind these catch-and-release Bird Motels. Now, if you've got a billion pigeons already occupying your property, this may not be the most effective pigeon control method to use. These motels are ideal for relocating just a few annoying pigeons. You can put these just about anywhere pigeons like to gather. The best motels feature an easy-access door and are constructed of galvanized wire so they won't rust or corrode. Consult a bird control expert to determine which motel is ideal for your specific application.
Pigeon Netting
This stuff is a widely used method of pigeon control, since it effectively and humanely denies a bird access to specific areas of a building or property. The best Bird Netting is made from ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. To make sure your netting won't shred apart like confetti after a few seasons, opt for U.V.-stabilized, flame-resistant and rot and waterproof netting. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity or EM interference may cause problems. Some manufacturers even offer pigeon netting in different colors--like white, stone and black.
Scare Devices
An economical way to discourage pigeons from landing on or near your property, Pigeon Scare Devices make birds nervous. And nervous birds don't hang around. Among the most popular scare devices are flash tape that crackles in the wind, banners that flap and snap in the breeze, and balloons covered with scary predator eyes that bob and weave.
The only thing to remember about these pigeon control devices is that pigeons are among the smartest birds on earth, which means you might consider swapping out the devices or the clever little suckers will simply ignore them.
Bird Spikes
The "Big Kahuna" of pigeon control devices   (or most any bird, for that matter), the Bird Spike keeps flying pests from landing on any surface. Yes, they look like a medieval torture device, but the blunted spikes are harmless to birds, pets and people. Depending on your need and budget, you can choose either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes or the longer-lasting, slightly more expensive stainless steel spikes. Some manufacturers offer the spikes in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes are easily glued or screwed to any surface.
To keep pigeons off girders or I-beams, there's the Girder Spike, which sometimes comes with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit many girder sizes. To keep pigeons clear off rain gutters, opt for the Gutter Spike.
Sonic Repellers
Like most birds, pigeons don't like to hear the sounds of natural predators--like peregrine falcons (a pigeon's dreaded enemy), or the cries of their fellow pigeons in distress. When they do, they leave in hurry. Sonic Repellers broadcast the sounds pigeons hate. And they do it with surprising efficiency. The sounds are repeated regularly--usually once every ten to fifteen minutes. The sounds are not annoying to humans, but pigeons hate them.
Bird Gels
No self–respecting bird likes feeling trapped, especially with every step they take once they've landed. Sticky Gels bug the heck out of pigeons--and most birds for that matter. Bird Gels are easy to apply to most surfaces using a standard caulking gun. The chemical skins over and stays sticky for up to six months before you need to reapply it.

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Many Ways of Pigeon Control

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pigeons are fun to feed, but when they gather in big numbers on your property, they cease being fun. And start being expensive. Specifically, they can take the paint or finish off wood and metal, crumble concrete and ruin expensive statues over time. Pigeon poop also poses a sizable health risk. The fact is that pigeon droppings can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. And that's not even counting the diseases carried by the fleas, mites and ticks that attach themselves to pigeons. It's time for some serious pigeon control.

One solution that combines effectiveness with economy is the bird-scare product family. Here you'll find bright, colorful banners of foil that rattle and wave in the breeze. They're easily mounted to virtually any post, eave, mast or beam. Another pigeon control device, the Bird Scare Balloon, bobs and weaves in the breeze and uses the added tactic of large predator eyes to frighten pigeons.

Still another pigeon control solution is basically a catch-and-release device known as a Bird Motel. These humane live-trap cages are ideal for low populations of pest birds that gather on rooftops, courtyards and other areas. Made of sturdy galvanized wire, the cages can be used indoors or out. Your basic trap will have funnel doors that let birds in, but not out. Captured birds are easily removed via an access door. You can get these traps in various sizes to catch all manner of pest birds.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Got Pigeon Control?

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pigeons, pigeons and more pigeons. They're everywhere. Nesting and roosting and laying claim to our homes, businesses and parks. On occasion, we like to feed them. Which unfortunately just encourages them to gather in larger flocks. And that means a bigger mess and more long-term damage. Damage that costs America upwards of one billion dollars annually.

We've seen what pigeon poop can do. It can ruin wood and metal, crumble concrete and fancy stonework, even stop a big industrial sized air conditioner. And since pigeon poop is rich in bacteria, fungi and parasites, it poses a considerable health risk. Experts will tell you that pigeon droppings can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. Add to that the fleas, mites and ticks that bury themselves in pigeons and you've got one disease carrying bird on your hands. All the more reason for getting the best pigeon control available.

What to do? Cull and destroy our fine-feathered friends? No need. Not with today's more effective methods of pigeon control. And there are so many to choose from.

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Smart Way to Achieve Pigeon Control

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pigeons are smarter than the average bird. In fact, they're one of the most intelligent birds around. They can recognize their own reflection in a mirror, a feat only 6 species and no other non-mammal can perform. They can also recognize all 26 letters of the English alphabet. They can even differentiate between two different human beings in a photograph when rewarded with food for their efforts. It's no wonder pigeon control has presented such a challenge.

The Days of Shotguns, Cannon and Poisons Are Over

There's a whole new breed of pigeon control solutions. Borne out of society's increasing need to control the damage caused by pigeons, these new devices have proven successful in deterring the winged pests from our homes, boats, parks and commercial buildings. Property owners began to realize that the cute little bird had a nasty habit of pooping all over everything, that these droppings could transmit any of 60 known diseases. And amidst the rising chorus of environmentalist's objections to killing or harming these birds, the mantra of humane deterrent was born.

Pigeon Control…Humane Solutions that Work

by Alex A. Kecskes

Who hasn't fed a flock of eager bobbing-headed pigeons at the park? Or chased them into a tree? The honest truth is, we've had a love-hate relationship with our grey-feathered friends since they first landed on a statue or church tower.

If you're a home or boat owner, or a facilities manager for a warehouse, airport, park, zoo, government or commercial building, the pest pigeon has undoubtedly cost you time and money. Which is not surprising, since your typical pigeon deposits roughly 25 pounds of poop annually. And you've learned, through rather painful experience, just how damaging pigeon poop can be.

It can ruin a painted surface, permanently scar wood and metal, even reduce concrete and expensive stonework into something resembling a coral reef. The only way to rid a surface of pigeon waste is to blast it off with powerful (and very expensive) boom lifts and steam hoses. Pigeon damage in America has risen to the tune of well over $1 billion annually. Worse yet, more and more people are becoming aware of the many health risks associated with pigeon waste. We now know that the bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in pigeon droppings can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. Even the fleas, mites and ticks that bury themselves in pigeons can carry a number of diseases.