Restaurant Owner Faces $2,000 Fine for Hosing Bird Poop Off Store Entrance

Last year, the owner of Crawdaddy’s in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas faced a $2,000 fine if he hosed off the bird droppings in front of his restaurant. City officials explained that the city’s storm water ordinance prohibits washing pollutants, like bird poop, into the storm drain system that runs out to the bay. Proving Charles Dickens' "the law is an ass" statement popularized by Oliver Twist, the Corpus Christi ordinance stipulates that it’s okay if rainwater washes the poop out into the storm drain system—you just can’t use a hose. Corpus Christie officials advised business owners to vacuum the sidewalk or to secure the services of a professional to clean it for them.

To circumvent this insanity, storeowners in Corpus Christi (and other areas with similar ordinances) do have a sane and less costly alternative to waiting for rainfall or calling in a professional cleanup crew.  It’s called bird control. 

Deter Birds with Spikes

If birds are perching and nesting immediately above your store’s entrance, you can invest in some Plastic Bird Spikes. These anti-perching, anti-roosting bird deterrents won’t allow birds to land on or near them. They are blunted at the tips and approved by a number of humane groups—including the U.S. Humane Society (so you won’t have any trouble with city ordinances). They also come in a variety of colors—including crystal clear, brick red, light grey, brown, black and tan—so they’ll blend in with your store’s color scheme. Be sure to get high quality Plastic Bird Spikes made of unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate. These spikes have a flexible base, which allows them to “follow” curved surfaces like signs and archways. They also have pre-drilled holes or glue troughs for fast, effortless installation. The spikes come in two-foot sections and 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths to provide increasingly larger areas of anti-perching protection. The spiked strips measure just 1.5 inches wide at the base, so they can be mounted on very narrow surfaces.

Block Birds with Netting

If birds are nesting under your canopies and eaves, you should also invest in some Garden Bird Netting.  It seals out birds and prevents them from nesting in these areas. Birds who have nested there last year will invariably return to the same spot, since birds are very territorial. Lightweight and easy to handle, Garden Bird Netting is easy to install and comes in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls. It can be easily cut down to the size to need.  It’s also available in three different mesh sizes. There’s a 1/4" mesh for small birds, 1/2" mesh for medium sized birds, and 3/4" mesh for large birds. Be sure to get the bird netting clips to keep the netting taut and in place. The best Garden Bird Netting is made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene. It’s strong, light and virtually invisible. You can install this netting temporarily if you only have a seasonal problem with birds, or permanently to ensure year ‘round protection for your storefront.

Pigeon Control: Problems & Solutions…by the Numbers

Pigeons can create all sorts of annoying problems for today’s property owners.

1. Pigeons Carry Diseases. These “dirty birds” often gather in huge flocks on buildings. When they do, they pose a threat to human health and safety. Their droppings can carry a virus called encephalitis, which can cause an inflammation of the brain. In fact, they can carry any of 60 known diseases, including salmonellosis and ornithosis, a disease similar to viral pneumonia.
2. The Stench & Mess of Droppings. This can negatively impact the appearance of a home or business. The sheer weight of bird droppings has led to the structural collapse of ceilings. The slip-and-trip hazards bird droppings leave on walkways, steps and entrances can be especially dangerous. 
3. Major Clean-Up Costs. For businesses, this can become a major expense. Removing nesting materials and accumulated droppings can sometimes require specialists in "moon suits" to protect them from disease-carrying clouds of droppings created when hardened droppings are sand blasted away.
4. Fire Hazard. Pigeons roosting and nesting near electrical equipment and wiring can create a fire hazard. 

Using pellet guns and poisons to get rid of pigeons can be dangerous to pets and children. These measures are also considered inhumane. Egg removal, birth-control pills and food deprivation take three to five years to be effective. Fortunately, there are far more efficient, expedient and humane ways to achieve pigeon control.

1. Bird Slopes Blend In to Keep Pigeons Out. These angled, slippery PVC panels simply won’t allow pigeons to purchase a landing. Ideal for the many 90-degree nooks and crannies found in most structures, the panels even come in several colors to blend in with a structure’s aesthetics. The best bird slope panels are made of UV-stabilized polycarbonate to last longer in tough outdoor weather.
2. Bird Wire Systems Keep Pigeons off Balance. Most birds prefer a stable landing area. Bird wire systems provide anything but that. These post-and-spring-wire set-ups make pigeons “wobble and weave ‘til they leave.” Ideal for railings, rooftops and similar extensions where pigeons prefer to land, wire systems install easily and are  often used on Federal and State government buildings. The best bird wire systems feature nylon coated stainless steel wire for lasting durability.
3. Bird Spikes Create a No-Landing Zone. Making it virtually impossible for pigeons to land, Bird Spikes come in rigid UV-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or longer-lasting stainless steel. These pigeon control strips even come in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear—to make them far less conspicuous. The bird spikes can be easily glued,  screwed or nailed to any surface.
4. Sonic Repellers Drive Pigeons Away. Pigeons won't nest or roost near the sound of peregrine falcons (a pigeon's dreaded enemy) defending their territory. And that’s exactly what Sonic Bird Deterrents imitate—the sounds of their most fearsome enemy attacking and squawking. Sonic repellers repeat these sounds on a regular basis. And they won’t annoy pets or humans.

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.

Spiked No-Landing Zone

Pigeon's fly well but sooner or later, they have to land. And when they do, they don't want to make things complicated. Bird spikes do that. These pigeon control devices have blunted splayed-out spikes that no bird wants to deal with, which makes pigeon spikes both humane and highly effective. Spikes are available in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high durability stainless steel. You can also get girder spikes, recommended for keeping pigeons off girders or I-beams. Finally, there's the gutter spike, which will keep your rain gutters free of nesting pigeons.

Trap and Release

Here's an effective pigeon control device for those with just a few annoying pigeons. The pigeon motel is basically a live-trap cage that lets you move the offending birds to an out of the way location. These sturdy galvanized wire cages can be used indoors or out. The typical trap will have a funnel trap door that let birds in and an easy access door that lets you get them out.

The Net Result: No Pest Pigeons

Bird netting is an ideal pigeon control solution that relies basically on the barrier method of deterring pest birds. Bird netting has been widely used to keep pigeons from gathering on rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other large areas. The best netting is made of ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric, U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof.

Pigeons Will Make Tracks…and Leave

Commercial property owners have used electric track devices as an effective pigeon control solution for years. Pigeons are quick to leave after landing on these electrified tracks. One mild jolt of juice is usually all it takes to convince them this is no place to land or nest. Ideal for ledges, signs and other elevated or out-of-reach areas, the tracks install easily and are virtually invisible from below.

Sounds like Pigeon Control to me

Pigeons, all birds, really, are fairly tuned in to sounds around them. Which is what sonic pigeon control devices fully exploit. These nifty devices produce a variety of annoying distress and predator calls. One sonic system emits the distress and predator calls of over 22 types of birds. This includes the sound of Peregrine falcons--a pigeon's worst enemy--defending their territory. The best sonic systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of the sounds they emit. Since the sounds are emitted in a random fashion, pigeons are constantly on a state of alert--a condition not conducive to nesting. Sonic bird deterrents are ideal for gardens, rooftops, courtyards, pool areas and other large open areas.

 

Pigeon Control for Gas Stations & Convenience Stores

There are about 146,000 retail gas stations and convenience stores in the United States. That's the good news for late-night shoppers and folks running out of gas. The bad news is, many of these stores lack effective pigeon control, which means feral pigeons can pretty much do what they please.

The last thing customers want to touch is a pump handle covered with pigeon poop. Or see the roof or hood of their car splattered with poop when they return with snacks in hand. Theses stores have a pigeon problem because the pesky little birds love to roost in gas station and store canopies. And they do so hundreds at a time.

Without effective pigeon control measures, this often-neglected nuisance can cost commercial property owners thousands of dollars in maintenance and repairs. Keep in mind that just one healthy pigeon creates an average 66 pounds of droppings each year.  If you've got a flock of these birds nesting in your gas station canopy, you're looking at several tons of poop over a short period of time.

If you think the damage is all cosmetic, consider what happened to a gas station canopy in Yuma, Arizona. A build-up of pigeon poop clogged up the canopy's drains, causing it to crash to the ground after a heavy rain. A Hummer and a BMW were smashed in the process. Needless to say the gas station owner's insurance policy went up.

Roosting and nesting pigeons can create an unsightly mess on signage, windows and gas pumps. They can clog drains, block out security cameras and jam doors and windows. They can also wreak havoc with rooftop AC units.

As if that weren't enough to implement aggressive pigeon control measures, pigeon droppings are also breeding grounds for a number of diseases. Fecal droppings in pigeon infested canopies can create an environment for bacteria and fungi spores to grow and multiply. This filth can attract mites, black widows, rats, mice and other vermin.

Consider the problems such an environment presents to a gas station that has a full-service food preparation kitchen. If you've got flocks of pigeons gathering on your rooftop or near air induction vents, these air conditioning and air circulation systems could easily suck in pigeon dander, spores and viruses.

Cleaning roofs, parapets, HVAC, ventilation systems and other roosting sites can aerate these areas and increase the risks of exposure to disease. Gas station and store canopies offer the ideal place for pigeons—plenty of food in garbage cans and safe roosting areas.

Failure to implement pigeon control measures can be very expensive in the long run—repairing a canopy can set you back as much as $100,000. And that doesn't include lost sales, city or health violation fees or full canopy replacement.

Some effective pigeon control measures include bird netting, which works to effectively exclude the pests. You can also use chemical fogging systems to drive out entrenched flocks. Both measures are safe to use on pigeons and will save you a lot of grief and expense.

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Pigeons Invade KFC, McDonald's, Donut King and other Food Courts

by Alex A. Kecskes

Dozens of filthy pigeons recently invaded the Food Court above the Roma Street Railway Station, creating a health hazard just outside KFC, McDonald's and Donut King.
At the Delta Airlines terminal at JFK Airport, pigeons seemed to be everywhere in the food court area, snatching up food and leaving their disease-carrying droppings.

A food court patron in another city accidentally spilled some taco meat on a table and was besieged by a dozen or so pigeons. The filthy birds pulled out all the stops to steal his food. They came out of nowhere, jumping on the table, flying and hovering around him in a panicked effort to devour the precious bits of ground beef. Customers nearby urged him to swat the persistent birds, which he did while trying to hold on to the remains of his taco. The pigeons were extremely aggressive, jumping on and hovering around his hand, pecking at and trying to snatch the taco from his grasp. The determined birds even tried to peck at the taco he was still in the process of chewing. Fortunately, a few solid backhands sent the birds fleeing to another table.

If you’re a food court manager or owner, you can’t afford to have pigeons and other flying pests harassing your customers. Especially in these tough economic times when consumers are cutting back on going out to eat. Pigeons snatching up food from tables and chairs and leaving droppings after they’re done can be a costly health violation. Pest birds, as most health inspectors will tell you, can carry any of 60 known diseases.

To keep pigeons and other pest birds out of food court areas, you must implement an effective bird control strategy. This may involve the use of several bird deterrents to keep persistent birds like pigeons away.

Some of the more proven effective bird control measures include:

Pigeon Spikes. These can be placed immediately outside of food court areas to deny pigeons a place to land. If they can’t land, they can’t perch and observe, which is what all pest birds do before they “move in for the kill.”  Bird spikes come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes or high-strength, durable stainless steel. You can even order them in different colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear to match the décor of your food court. One manufacturer offers a stainless steel spike with a patented “bend-and-crush” design. The best pigeon spikes feature a unique “no-nest” design with no-gap spacing to deter birds from roosting or landing. If your food court has rain gutters outside, these may be infested with pigeon nests. To keep pest birds out of these areas, you’ll need a special kind of bird spike called a Gutter Bird Spike, which is specially designed to fit onto gutters.

No-Knot Bird Netting. Here, again, you want to deny pest birds like pigeons from entering food courts and other areas where food is being prepared or served. This particular netting is low profile, lightweight and easy to handle and install. It comes in several stock sizes and custom cuts. No-Knot bird netting is also tough and resilient with a 10-year guarantee. It’s non-conductive and made of flame resistant, multi-strand polypropylene fiber. (Polypropylene is chemically inert and will resist the influence of many chemicals at ordinary temperatures.) The best bird netting is ISO 1806 Protocol mesh tested. It won’t rot, absorb water, or mildew, and it should have built-in U.V. inhibitors to hold up under years of tough weather.

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 sizeable 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.

Pigeon Control for the "Big Apple"

New York City is home to over 1 million pigeons. They mate for life, nest on windowsills, swoop down for scraps of food, and leave droppings on the shoulders of hapless pedestrians. Here, pigeon control is a must.

New Yorkers will tell you that the pigeon problem is everywhere. At brunch style outdoor restaurants, they silently wiggle their way beneath the tables and chairs. One can barely cross his or her legs without the risk of brushing a foot against the filthy birds. They bob and weave and hysterically flap their wings at the slightest irritation. Yes, you can shoo them away with a menu or a napkin, but they come right back. At some restaurants, they've developed the nerve to hop onto empty tables or lounge on the backs of chairs. They've even been known to take food from a child's hand. Without pigeon control, things can get pretty chaotic.

At the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, pigeons have a nasty habit of snatching away breakfasts and defecating on commuters. Urban pigeons dominate city plazas, street-side cafes and monuments. Their droppings plaster Times Square in New York, where they peck endlessly at crumbs or leftover food.

Not helping matters are the people who love to feed the pigeons near commercial food establishments. They draw pigeons to these stores and restaurants creating a nuisance for customers. In some stores, the smells and bacteria from the pigeons are sucked through the ventilation system and can literally cause patrons to leave the store. Pigeon control here is strongly recommended.

Outside, in areas like Times Square and other major intersections, food cart vendors complain of pigeons annoying customers and interfering with business transactions. The smells of pigeons and their droppings near a food cart can be quite overwhelming.
Storeowners in the Big Apple also complain of dead pigeons on sidewalks and entryways to their establishments. Air conditioning units, gutters and downspouts are often clogged with pigeon feathers and nests, causing AC units to jam up and roofs to leak.  Pigeon control can save storeowners hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

For commercial property owners who have an occasional pigeon problem or are simply bothered by a few pigeons, a Bird Motel will often suffice. These catch-and-release pigeon control motels are ideal for relocating just a few annoying pigeons. They can be placed virtually 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.

If, on the other hand, you have a store sign or ledge that attracts pigeons by the dozen, you might look into installing some Bird Spikes. The king of pigeon control devices, bird spikes keep virtually any flying pest from landing. To assuage your bird loving customers, they are harmless to birds, pets and people. Spikes come in either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or the longer-lasting, slightly more expensive stainless steel models. You can even get 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. The Big Apple is beautiful with the right pigeon control.

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Best Pigeon Control for Pest Pigeons

by Alex A. Kecskes

The ubiquitous pigeon has been man's friend and foe for centuries. Rising to nuisance level as they invaded our cities and towns, pest pigeons cause over one billion dollars annually in damage and cleanup costs.

It's not surprising. Pigeon poop alone can cause all sorts of damage. It can eat into wood and metal, ruin fine stonework, and seize up AC units. Worse yet, pigeon poop is teaming with bacteria, fungi and parasites, which is why it poses such a high health risk. After all, pigeon droppings have been known to carry any of 60 known diseases. And no less hazardous are the fleas, mites and ticks that infest pigeons. It's no wonder that pigeon control has become so important. Thankfully, there are a number of highly effective pigeon control methods on the market..

One can't talk about pigeon control without mentioning the various Bird Scare products currently available. These flash tape banners wave, flap and crackle in the breeze to frighten pigeons looking for a safe place to land and roost. The same holds true for the inflatable, Bird Scare Balloon. Imprinted with menacing looking predator eyes, these devices turn and flail in the breeze to frighten pest pigeons away.

They check in and they check out. That's the principle behind our next pigeon control device--the Bird Motel. The live-trap cages are quite good at catching pest pigeons and are ideal for use on rooftops, courtyards and other areas where birds tend to gather. And once they're caught, a handy easy-access door lets you reach in and release them to a more remote location. The better motels are made of tough galvanized wire and you can use them indoors or out. The traps come in various sizes to capture various size pigeons.

Next up--Bird Wire Systems. These nifty pigeon control arrays incorporate a post and wire system to create a wobbly landing site for pigeons. The low-profile systems are ideal for keeping pigeons off ledges, parapet walls, rooflines, handrails and similar areas. Pigeons don't like to land on anything unstable and will quickly move on to more solid footing. Humane and economical, bird wire systems have been approved for use on Federal and State government structures. The best systems use nylon coated stainless steel wire, which holds up better in punishing weather.

Called the granddaddy of pigeon control--and bird control, for that matter--the Bird Spike has saved more signs, buildings street lights, and AC units than perhaps any other anti-pest bird device. Pigeons just won't land near the threatening looking spikes. You can get rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes, or opt for longer lasting slightly more expensive stainless steel spikes. The stainless steel bird spikes are available in a non-reflective metal finish and are often recommended by architects, contractors and government agencies. Installation is easy for they can be glued or nailed down to virtually any surface. They even come in a selection of colors so they'll blend in with your building's exterior décor. So successful are spikes as a pigeon control device that they have morphed in design to fit specific applications. For example, you can now get Girder Spikes, which will keep pigeons and larger pest birds from landing on girders or I-beams. They come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder. There's also the Gutter Spike, ideal for preventing pigeons from landing and roosting in rain gutters.

Another pigeon control device that's shocking in its ability to deter pest pigeons is the Electric Track. Ideal for discouraging pigeons from settling on ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, signs, I-beams, and flat or curved surfaces, these electrified tracks impart a mild electric zap to a bird's foot. Electric tracks are easily mounted on any flat or curved surface. The best are low profile in design and virtually invisible to anyone looking up from ground level.

Somewhat entertaining to watch as birds try unsuccessfully to land on it, the Bird Slope has proven itself a worthy adversary to the determined pest pigeon. Essentially just a slippery, angled PVC panel, pigeons just slide off them faster than you can say pest pigeon. It doesn't take long for pigeons to decide, this is a no-landing zone and leave. Bird slopes are ideal for beams, ledges, eaves, and other L-shaped areas where pigeons like to nest and roost. The panels come in several colors. Opt for UV stabilized polycarbonate panels if you can, as they will last longer.

If you believe only barrier deterrents will suit your application, you might try Bird Netting as a means of pigeon control. While pest pigeons may be able to land on these, they won't be able to get through. Netting is ideal for sealing off rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other large areas, including groves and vineyards. The finest netting is ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. For rugged outdoor use, opt for U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof netting.

If the sounds of pest pigeons landing on your property annoy you, you can now fight back with sound. Known as Sonic Repeller, these pigeon control devices produce a variety of annoying distress and predator calls only pigeons can hear. Ideal for a wide range of outdoor applications, these systems are easy to set up and install.

Our next pigeon control solution is actually a gel--called Bird Gel. Humane and highly effective, this chemical skins over but never really dries. When pigeons land on it, they can't wait to leave. The icky, sticky surface is one thing most birds, including pigeons, can't stand. The gel is easily applied to any surface using a caulking gun.

Pest pigeons really hate this next pigeon control device. Called the Scarecrow, it's basically a motion-activated sprinkler that blasts a jet of water whenever it senses a pigeon approaching. The sudden burst of water combined with the scarecrow's moving head and the sprinkler sound--all unite to create a formidable deterrent. It's the perfect solution to deter pest pigeons from gardens, pools, spas, backyards, and other outdoor areas.

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Effective Pigeon Control Methods

by Terra Anders
Pigeons, crows, grackles and blackbirds are all well known for their frequent gathering and roosting on rooftops, gutters, air conditioning vents and other structures.  This problem affects private homes, public establishments and businesses.  Pigeon control is important, not only because of the damage their feces causes to finishes and paint, but also because of the disease that the bacteria and small parasites in their feces may carry.  Businesses may find that customers avoid their establishment if these birds are allowed to remain unchecked.
These birds do deserve to set down and rest once in awhile, but having them settling in on your property means dealing with quite a mess.  Controlling pest birds, like pigeons, does not have to be complicated or harmful to their health.  There are several humane bird deterrent methods that can be used quite effectively to send these birds on their way.  Any one of these methods can be used without the need for complex or expensive installation.
Bird netting can be used when you want to keep birds away from flowers and crops, or from gaining access to any valuable structures.  This type of netting is not used to trap the birds, but to keep birds out of a specific area.  The most common use of netting is in orchards, vegetable gardens, and vineyards, but it can also be use indoors in larger structures where birds can fly in, and nest up high in the ceiling beams.
Most netting is made with knotted strands of plastic cord, and is available in several thicknesses.  Lightweight netting is often used indoors to stop bird pests from nesting inside large warehouses, hangers, or tunnels.  Heavy-duty bird net is used outdoors, and is designed to resist deterioration in sunlight, rain and extreme heat.  It is also available in different widths and lengths.  Specially designed plastic clips can be used to attach the netting, preventing damage to the surface being protected.
Pigeons, or other bird pests, look for a landing surface that is flat and even. Bird spikes is a method commonly used to deter these birds from roosting on their favorite flat surfaces, such as roofs, ledges, gutters, or signs. These spikes are available in steel or plastic and in many colors, so once installed they are virtually invisible.  The spikes are not sharp enough to cause harm, but they are severe enough to create an uncomfortable landing place for winged pests, forcing them to fly onward to find a more suitable area.
Another bird control method is an electric bird deterrent system. This system uses a polycarbonate insulator wire embedded in an insulted PVC track that conforms to straight or curved surfaces.  They are most effective when laid down over a large, flat area that is likely to invite pigeons or other pest birds to roost.  As the bird lands on the unassuming strip, it will receive a light warning shock, causing it to immediately fly away. The shock is not harmful, but it is uncomfortable enough that the pest birds will quickly learn that this is not a suitable landing or nesting spot. This method employs a behavior modification technique that does not interfere with the birds flying patterns, but does change their landing patterns. 
Controlling pigeon flocks and other feathered friends from becoming damaging pests, is one way to continue to enjoy watching their fanciful flights without the worry of the mess they leave behind.  Bird netting, bird spikes and electric bird deterrent systems are all effective and humane choices to consider when deciding which pigeon control methods to use. 

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Pigeon Control for Architects

by Alex A. Kecskes

Today, more architects than ever are integrating pigeon control measures into their building designs. They know that the image of beautiful arches, clean lines and walls of glass can quickly be ruined by bird droppings. They also know that the acid in bird droppings can eat into wood, composites and even stone surfaces to permanently damage areas that were once showpieces of design.

The fact is, many clients ask for references when contracting architects. The references are often in the form of completed projects. If these artistic creations are covered in bird droppings and their surfaces eaten away, they become useless as samples of one’s work—often to the point of excluding an architect from future bids.  So the importance of effective pigeon control—or any bird control—for that matter, can’t be understated.
Adding pigeon control and bird control services is an excellent way to round out an architectural firm’s repertoire of capabilities. The goal is to install effective pigeon control measures during the design-build process and to use low-profile humane deterrents that are easy to install and maintain.  Keeping pigeons and other pest birds away from commercial, civil or large federal structures can be an added profit center for any architectural firm.

When integrating pigeon control measures into an architectural design, one must take into account the aesthetics. Building materials and surfaces should be analyzed to ensure that the bird control methods minimally impact the overall structure. When enlisting the services of a bird control firm, that firm should offer products that are easy-to-specify. Any bird control repellents and/or deterrents used should meet the approval of local, state and federal agencies for humane operation. The products specified should be of the highest quality and be easy to “drop in” to projects specs. They should be backed by extensive warranties and the firm should offer support to help with the bird control designs. 

Here are two popular and highly effective pigeon control/bird control measures architects have been incorporating into their building designs:

Bird Spikes. Designed to deter pigeons and larger birds, Bird Spikes are often used by architects to prevent birds from landing on structures. The spikes come in rugged stainless steel or rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. The poly spikes are more economical than steel spikes and are recommended in areas where the electrical conductivity of steel is a concern. Poly bird spikes are also preferred in structures that have cell phone and dish antennas. To keep very large birds away--like seagulls, cormorants, turkey vultures and raptors--there’s the Mega Spike, which features 7-inch spikes of marine-grade stainless steel. Finally, there’s the Gutter Spike, which is ideal for keeping pigeons and other large birds out of rain gutters and drains.

Bird Slopes. This is an architect’s favorite because it’s a pigeon and bird control device that’s integrated into the design of the building or structure. What makes the bird slope so effective is that birds slip right off these angled PVC panels. They are ideal for keeping pest birds and pigeons away from eaves, ledges, beams and other niches. They can be easily installed on virtually any surface using nails, screws or glue. The panels even come in a variety of different colors to blend in with a building's color scheme.

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Pigeon Control—A Must for Commercial Property Managers

By Alex A. Kecskes

One of the many concerns facing today’s property managers is pigeon control. Pigeons are pest birds that remain unprotected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. They can cause property managers a lot of grief.

So what attracts pest pigeons to a commercial building, its edifices and rooftops? A combination of factors. First off, commercial buildings usually offer covered areas that provide shelter from the elements. Things like rooftop AC units, electrical boxes, and ducting offer ideal places to nest and roost. Ledges and parapet walls offer high altitude perches for scouting predators and prey, especially if they overlook trash bins and dipsy-dumpsters.

Also, if your commercial building is the only one in the area offering such vantage points, it will attract flocks of pest pigeons. Another attractive feature of your building may be that it lies close to ponds, fields, and electrical wires. And if you’re unlucky enough to have a flock of pigeons already nesting on your building, the droppings will attract other pigeons, making your building a prime gathering spot. In general, pigeons will be strongly attracted to nesting spots they have already claimed as their own.

Without effective pigeon control measures, a pest pigeon infestation can result in costly and repetitive clean-ups. Long-term infestations. Can severely damage a commercial building’s facades, sills, parapet walls, roofing, water drainage systems and rooftop AC units. The annual damage/repair/cleanup cost of pest birds to commercial buildings is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Best Pigeon Control for Pest Pigeons

by Alex A. Kecskes

The ubiquitous pigeon has been man's friend and foe for centuries. Rising to nuisance level as they invaded our cities and towns, pest pigeons cause over one billion dollars annually in damage and cleanup costs.


It's not surprising. Pigeon poop alone can cause all sorts of damage. It can eat into wood and metal, ruin fine stonework, and seize up AC units. Worse yet, pigeon poop is teaming with bacteria, fungi and parasites, which is why it poses such a high health risk. After all, pigeon droppings have been known to carry any of 60 known diseases. And no less hazardous are the fleas, mites and ticks that infest pigeons. It's no wonder that pigeon control has become so important. Thankfully, there are a number of highly effective pigeon control methods on the market..

One can't talk about pigeon control without mentioning the various Bird Scare products currently available. These flash tape banners wave, flap and crackle in the breeze to frighten pigeons looking for a safe place to land and roost. The same holds true for the inflatable, Bird Scare Balloon. Imprinted with menacing looking predator eyes, these devices turn and flail in the breeze to frighten pest pigeons away.

Next up--Bird Wire Systems. These nifty pigeon control arrays incorporate a post and wire system to create a wobbly landing site for pigeons. The low-profile systems are ideal for keeping pigeons off ledges, parapet walls, rooflines, handrails and similar areas. Pigeons don't like to land on anything unstable and will quickly move on to more solid footing. Humane and economical, bird wire systems have been approved for use on Federal and State government structures. The best systems use nylon coated stainless steel wire, which holds up better in punishing weather.

Called the granddaddy of pigeon control--and bird control, for that matter--the Bird Spike has saved more signs, buildings street lights, and AC units than perhaps any other anti-pest bird device. Pigeons just won't land near the threatening looking spikes. You can get rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes, or opt for longer lasting slightly more expensive stainless steel spikes. The stainless steel spikes are available in a non-reflective metal finish and are often recommended by architects, contractors and government agencies. Installation is easy for they can be glued or nailed down to virtually any surface. They even come in a selection of colors so they'll blend in with your building's exterior décor. So successful are spikes as a pigeon control device that they have morphed in design to fit specific applications. For example, you can now get Girder Spikes, which will keep pigeons and larger pest birds from landing on girders or I-beams. They come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder. There's also the Gutter Spike, ideal for preventing pigeons from landing and roosting in rain gutters.

Another pigeon control device that's shocking in its ability to deter pest pigeons is the Electric Track. Ideal for discouraging pigeons from settling on ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, signs, I-beams, and flat or curved surfaces, these electrified tracks impart a mild electric zap to a bird's foot. Electric tracks are easily mounted on any flat or curved surface. The best are low profile in design and virtually invisible to anyone looking up from ground level.

Somewhat entertaining to watch as birds try unsuccessfully to land on it, the Bird Slope has proven itself a worthy adversary to the determined pest pigeon. Essentially just a slippery, angled PVC panel, pigeons just slide off them faster than you can say pest pigeon. It doesn't take long for pigeons to decide, this is a no-landing zone and leave. Bird slopes are ideal for beams, ledges, eaves, and other L-shaped areas where pigeons like to nest and roost. The panels come in several colors. Opt for UV stabilized polycarbonate panels if you can, as they will last longer.


If you believe only bird barrier deterrents will suit your application, you might try Bird Netting as a means of pigeon control. While pest pigeons may be able to land on these, they won't be able to get through. Netting is ideal for sealing off rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other large areas, including groves and vineyards. The finest netting is ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. For rugged outdoor use, opt for U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof netting.

If the sounds of pest pigeons landing on your property annoy you, you can now fight back with sound. Known as Sonic Repeller, these pigeon control devices produce a variety of annoying distress and predator calls only pigeons can hear. Ideal for a wide range of outdoor applications, these systems are easy to set up and install.

Our next pigeon control solution is actually a gel--called Bird Gel. Humane and highly effective, this chemical skins over but never really dries. When pigeons land on it, they can't wait to leave. The icky, sticky surface is one thing most birds, including pigeons, can't stand. The gel is easily applied to any surface using a caulking gun.

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