Bird Guards

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• How to Use Humane Bird Guards to Protect Commercial Property

  by Alex A. KecskesSome “big-box” department stores have gone to great lengths to get rid of pest birds, especially when they enter the garden department and other interior areas. One giant retailer even resorted to lethal glue traps to catch pest birds. Unfortunately for the store, an alert customer saw the bird struggling in one of the traps and alerted PETA. The trap happened to be one of many that had been set by a bird-removal contractor to snare pest birds that had flown into the store. PETA staffers rushed to the store and although they were able to remove the bird, which was a protected species, the injuries caused by the trap were fatal and the bird passed away. When PETA alerted retailer’s headquarters to the incident, the retailer immediately terminated its contract with the bird-removal company. The contract expressly prohibited birds from being harmed during removal. In addition, local animal-control officers ordered the bird-removal contractor to cease using the lethal glue traps. The officers subsequently paid a visit to all the local big-box stores, letting their managers know that the use of lethal glue traps are cruel and that violators would be cited. Today, there is absolutely no reason to use lethal or cruel bird traps to deter pest birds from commercial property. There are simply too many effective and humane bird control products on the market. Here are just a few:Bird Spikes…the Ultimate Bird Guard Ideal for use in the entrances and lofty perch areas of garden departments and other semi-outdoor areas, Bird Spikes deny birds the landing zones they need to observe before they swoop down and annoy workers and customers. The spike strips come in stainless steel spikes or plastic. Stainless steel versions come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths; the plastic spikes are a tad more economical and come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths. Plastic spikes offer the added advantage of coming in a full range of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and even crystal clear. Custom colors are also available. Humane and highly effective, both types are easy to install--using screws, nails or glue--and require no maintenanceBird Proofing with Bird Netting To block out pest birds from specific areas of a big box store or other commercial property, consider this tried and true bird deterrent. Installed properly, Bird Netting physically excludes a wide range pest birds without harming them. For really rugged bird netting that will last for years, there’s Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird Netting. Fabricated using a U.V. -stabilized mesh, this netting is available in various sizes and custom cuts. Current sizes include a 2-inch mesh, 1 1/8-inch mesh, and 3/4-inch mesh. For pigeons, gulls and crows, you would lean toward the larger mesh sizes; for smaller birds like starlings, opt for the 3/4-inch mesh netting. Heavy Duty Poly Netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, flame resistant and rot- and waterproof. What makes this netting so tough is that it has 6 monofilaments, each12/1000s of an inch thick. The monofilaments are entwined to create a tough net with 160-200 twists per meter.  They Won’t Hang Around on Bird Wire Another effective low-profile bird control measure, Bird Wire keeps birds off ledges, parapet walls, rooflines, signs, and all those lofty beams inside your store. Safe and humane, bird wire systems consist of nylon-coated stainless steel wires suspended by poles. Attached to springs, the wires create a super wobbly landing perch that birds can’t stand, so they leave. Bird wire systems are ideal for deterring large pest birds--like pigeons, crows and gulls. They are approved for use on Federal and State Government Structures, however they should not be used in areas where birds have been nesting. Permalink | Leave a comment  » - 7 months ago

• Bird Guards to Keep Pest Birds Away

  by Fran PriscoWhen pest birds are occupying your building, how do you keep them away?  Installing humane bird guards is the answer.  Birds like sparrows, starlings and pigeons are often found landing, roosting and nesting on or near office buildings in any large city.  These birds are known as pest birds because of the damage and health risks they impose.  Not only do their nesting activities cause damage to buildings, so do their droppings.  Bird droppings are acidic and can quickly erode building materials costing building owners thousands to repair.  The droppings left behind by birds can also be a health hazard; carrying any of 60 plus communicable diseases.  Bird roosts can also harbor parasites and flees that can easily invade buildings.  Cleaning Up Bird DroppingsIt is important that safety precautions are taken when cleaning up bird droppings and debris. During the cleanup, seal heating and cooling air ducts or shut the system down. Only authorized cleanup personnel should be present. Healthy individuals should do the cleanup. Wear a respirator that can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns. Wear disposable protective gloves, hat, coveralls and shoe coverings. Moisten the droppings with a light mist of water to keep spores from becoming airborne and keep them wet. Put droppings into sealed plastic garbage bags. When finished and while still wearing the respirator, remove protective clothing and place it in a plastic bag. Wash or shower. Check with local government agencies to verify that disposal of the waste is permissible through standard trash pickup. Installing Bird GuardsThere are several humane bird guards available that will keep all types of pest birds away from buildings.  Most bird guards are easy to install, but it may be necessary to call in a bird control expert for more complicated jobs, such as those requiring more than one type of bird guard to get rid of the birds.Electric Bird Deterrents:Electric bird tracks are ideal for use in areas where aesthetics are a concern, most measure ¼ inch high and are available in a variety of colors to match the surface being protected.  A.C. or solar chargers power these electric track systems.  When birds land on the track, they receive a mild shock that does not harm the bird, but will condition them to stay away from the area.  These tracks are easily installed using adhesive onto parapet walls, ledges, roof edges and peaks and other flat or curved surfaces.  They will work to get rid of birds of all types.Bird Guard Netting:To exclude pest birds from areas that they are not wanted, bird netting is the product to use.  Bird netting has been shown to be an effective and humane bird guard solution for a growing variety of commercial applications. It comes in a number of colors, including white, stone and black.  Black bird netting provides natural U.V. protection and won't discolor when it gets dirty and dusty. Installed properly, this type of bird netting is almost invisible.You can get bird netting in several mesh sizes to control pest birds without trapping them. For large birds like pigeons and seagulls, a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size is recommended. For smaller birds like sparrows and starlings, smaller sizes are available. Some netting is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof to last longer. Heavy-duty bird netting is made of high strength polyethylene. Then there's knotted polyethylene bird netting, which is available in U.V. treated twine for extended life and comes in burst strengths of up to 40 pounds. Many of these nets are flame resistant and have a high melting point. Ideal for hot enclosed areas. Permalink | Leave a comment  » - 12 months ago

• Bird Guards to Control Invasive Pest Birds

  by Alex A. KecskesAmong the family of pest birds that plague our homes and businesses, one can include the bird type known as "invasive birds." Birds that fall into this category can pose a problem for wildlife, agriculture and, most alarmingly, human health. So what constitutes an invasive bird?For starters, invasive species are not native to a particular area. Without bird guards to control them, they will threaten the local ecosystem and economy, and pose significant human health risks. It should be noted that not every non-native bird can be classified as invasive. Many of these nomads readily adapt to new and different ecosystems without threatening these habitats. Only when a species significantly impacts a new area can it be labeled as invasive. It's also worth noting that a species that may be considered invasive in one area may be entirely innocuous in a different region.Birds that many consider invasive in North America include the European starling, house sparrow, mallard, mute swan, rock pigeon and Canada goose. These species and others who fall into the category of invasive are introduced to an "invaded area" a number of ways. One way is simply through geographic expansion, e.g., when one species crowds out another threatening the species or the ecosystem that supports it. Another way a species becomes invasive is when it is deliberately imported as in the case of early European settlers who brought over birds they liked from their native countries, or when farmers imported birds to control the threat of insects. Regardless of how they came to an area, unless they are controlled with bird guards, invasive birds can create all sorts of problems. They compete for nesting sites and food sources, they eat crops and seeds, they carry any of 60 known diseases, and they disrupt an area's ecological predator/prey balance.In many areas, invasive bird species are protected by wildlife conservation measures or migratory bird treaties. Before attempting any lethal means of control, property owners should contact their local wildlife management office. The other alternative is, of course, to use non-lethal bird guards. These are effective, humane, and run the gamut from simple to high tech. Let's look at a few.Fogging AgentsA humane and highly effective bird guard, these chemical agents irritate a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane. Birds fly or walk through this chemical and they can't wait to leave. The chemical, a food-grade methyl anthranilate, is basically a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). Bird fogging can be used indoors or out to deter a variety of pest birds--including gulls, mallards, Canada geese, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and cowbirds. Fogging agents should be used in the early morning or late evening when flocks are typically feeding and grouped together. These agents have been widely used to clear airport runways and tarmacs. Golf course owners often use them to clear greens and adjacent areas of grass-eating pests. And warehouse operators have used fogging agents to clear invasive birds out of open bay storage facilities, receiving docks and similar structures.Chemical Bird RepellentsAnother way to use chemicals as a pest bird guard is through the use of Chemical Bird Repellents. These chemicals are applied to the invaded area to create an uncomfortable sticky landing zone. Ideal for use on ledges, trees, fences and bushes or shrubs, the non-toxic liquid gel is equally effective for small or large pest birds. You get a lot of repellent for your money, since a one-gallon container will usually treat 120 square feet. These repellents are easily applied using a hand or pressure spray gun with a discharge pressure between 40 to 150 psi. A single application typically lasts up to six months outdoors. One bit of advice: Don't use chemical bird repellents on vertical or porous surfaces, building structures, or where birds have been nesting.Chemical Goose RepellentsGot geese?  Here's a bird guard that will make them leave. It's called Chemical Spray Goose Repellent. It's ideal for repelling geese from parks, shorelines, golf courses, cemeteries, lawns, yards, landscaping, shrubs, or any grassy areas. When geese eat the grass, shrubs or anything green covered with this non-toxic liquid, they can't stand the taste and move on to a more palatable menu. The chemical is basically a grape extract that's safe for pets, geese and humans. These repellents are easy to apply using standard hand-held sprayers available at most garden stores. Some chemical repellents come in a liquid concentrate that you mix with water. You apply an initial application, then wait about a week, and repeat the process. Two applications will last for approximately three months. The chemical stays effective even after a rain spell or sprinkler watering. The best goose repellent is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.Bird Sonic Systems Like most living things, birds have a fear threshold. Cross it and most birds will simply take flight. This holds true for invading bird species, since they are constantly on the lookout for predators and the distress calls of their fellow feathered friends. If you happen to be a pigeons, the sound of Peregrine falcons defending their territory will make you nervous enough to leave. If you're a starling and seagull, predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack will convince you to take flight. These are the sounds emitted by Bird Sonic Systems. The have been specially designed to broadcast natural bird sounds that are not unpleasant to humans but alarm invading birds. The best sonic bird guards can be set up to emit distress and predator calls day or night. And speaker units can easily be added to significantly expand the coverage area. The best systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds. This keeps invading birds from getting too accustomed to the sounds. Permalink | Leave a comment  » - 13 months ago