Trapping and removing pigeons.

'Trapping pigeons versus bird of prey deterrent'.

Trapping & removing may seem like a solution to your problem and many companies enlist a Pest Control firm to regularly monitor traps, however, the situation becomes a continuous cycle as new pigeons fill the void left from ones already trapped and removed.

Solution:

Change trap & remove practise to real time flight operations. Enlist the Pest Control Companies to fly birds of prey over the problem areas, this will reduce the number of pigeons and eventually clear the area. You still need to fly the birds to control the area however the flights can be less frequent over time.

Dave B

How to get rid of pigeons on my TV aerial?

'I have pigeons roosting on my TV aerial – can I use anti roosting spikes'?

Yes, pigeon anti roosting spikes are ideal for this purpose. The spikes are best installed by using an plastic cable ties wrapped around the base of the spike and then around the aerial itself. This will ensure that the spike cannot slip around and end up facing downwards. You could also support the fixing with silicone adhesive as well as plastic cable ties. Although stainless steel spikes are unlikely to interfere with the TV signal when installed on an aerial it may be wise to consider a plastic spike for the purpose. One UK manufacturer of pigeon spikes - Jones and Son Ltd offer an ingenious kit to protect TV aerials which includes all the different fixtures and fittings that will be required to protect virtually any type of TV aerial.

Dave B

Pigeon Facts

The following information is provided by www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org

Latin Name: Columba livia var (‘dove’ or ‘bird of leaden or blue-grey colour’).

Common Names: Pigeon, dove, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock pigeon, feral pigeon.

Derivation: The word ‘pigeon’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pipio’, meaning ‘young cheeping bird’. The word ‘dove’ is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as ‘dova’ or ‘douve’.

Family: Columbidae (includes 315 different species)

Subspecies: C. l. livia, C. l. atlantis, C. l. canariensis, C. l. gymnocyclus, C. l. targia, C. l. nigricans, C. l. dakhlae, C. l. schimperi, C. l. intermedia, C. l. palaestinae, C. l. gaddi, C. l. neglecta

Varieties: 350 recorded varieties.

Most Common: Feral Pigeon - 10-15 million in Europe.

Habitat: The wild pigeon is found in coastal areas and the feral pigeon is found almost exclusively in areas of human habitation.

Distribution: Worldwide except Sahara Desert, Antarctica and the high Arctic. European population estimated at between 17 and 28 million birds.

Dave B

Anti Roosting Spikes versus Bird Netting

'The Pigeon Spike is a pure anti-roosting/perching product'

It is important to make the distinction between anti-roosting products and bird exclusion products. The pigeon spike is a pure anti-roosting/perching product that is used almost exclusively to stop virtually any species of wild bird from landing on flat surfaces, although the product can also be used to block holes and can be installed vertically, horizontally and upside down in this application. Bird exclusion products such as nylon bird netting are normally installed to protect an area rather than a specific surface. The major difference between the two types of product, in real terms, is that the pigeon spike is relatively inexpensive to purchase, can be installed by the property owner and is completely reversible and non-invasive (in relation to the fabric of the building) to install; nylon bird netting, on the other hand, can be an expensive product to have installed and in a majority of cases it must be installed by a specialist contractor. Nylon bird netting is also highly invasive to install (in respect of the fabric of the building – it must be drilled and bolted in place) and, unlike pigeon spikes, is not reversible. In 99% of applications where nylon bird netting is recommended as a means of controlling pigeons, anti-roosting spikes can be used to much greater effect and at a significantly lower cost to the property owner.

Dave B

Bird Spikes

'Bird spikes are almost invisible once installed'

Bird spikes are used throughout every town or city centre worldwide and can be seen installed on a huge variety of surfaces as a means of deterring almost every species of wild bird, although they are most commonly installed on buildings for the purpose of Pigeon control. Bird spikes are almost invisible once installed and therefore can be used to protect buildings where aesthetics are the greatest consideration, providing the property owner with a neat, effective and low-visibility control. Other examples of where the Bird spike can be used to great effect are lamp posts, flat surfaces of any description, gutters, louvers, roofs, pipes, statues, cabling, awnings, aerials, chimneys, eaves, architectural features of virtually any description, glass canopies, I-beams, air conditioning housings, railings, flat roofs, boats, shop signs and even trees - the range of applications for the product is endless including CCTV and security cameras.

Dave B.

Pigeon Spikes

'Pigeon spikes are renowned for their versatility in terms of application'

Anti-roosting pigeon spikes are considered to be the most efficient and the most cost-effective pigeon exclusion device available within the pest control marketplace. Most independent experts believe that pigeon spikes are the only anti-roosting product (or exclusion device) that can be considered to be 100% effective, providing that they are installed as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pigeon spikes are renowned for their versatility in terms of application, longevity and the ease of installation, making them the best-selling anti-roosting product available. Probably their greatest benefit to the property owner is the fact that the product is not only extremely quick and easy to install but they can be installed by virtually anyone, negating the need to instruct a specialist contractor and thereby further reducing the cost and complexity of the installation.

DB

Bird Spike Quality and Building Aesthetics

'Bird spike customers need to understand the long term dangers of inferior products!'

Quality in bird spikes is paramount to the ongoing success of town high streets, shopping centres and building aesthetics, as cheaper overseas products come onto the UK market. Although they offer value for money the long term damage of brown staining to buildings from rusting wires can be costly. The Defender stainless steel bird spike range manufactured by Jones & Son Pest Control Supplies Ltd in the UK use 304 grade stainless steel with 8% nickel content ensuring a rust free product. An cheaper alternative to stainless steel is the plastic bird spike made from 100% UV polycarbonate, these can be used in exactly the same installations as the steel spikes.

Dave B

Pigeon Spikes to stop birds roosting on your property.

Pigeon spikes are completely humane and non-lethal, unlike many of its counterparts. Internationally renowned bird protection agencies, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), recommend pigeon spikes, confirming their place as the most effective and the most humane anti-roosting product available. Although pigeon spikes may appear to be able to inflict harm on any bird that comes into contact with them, the chance of a bird injuring itself is virtually zero. This is because most birds that occupy urban areas, where the pigeon spike is most commonly used, are intelligent and well versed in avoiding dangers such as roads, overhead cables, etc., and will not attempt to land on an area protected with pigeon spikes. It is virtually unheard of for a pigeon to harm itself on anti-roosting spikes and therefore the product can be used with a clear conscience by property owners experiencing pigeon-related problems. Products such as nylon bird netting, another commonly used deterrent against pigeons, has a poor track record in this respect, with vast numbers of pigeons dying each year having become trapped behind or within poor netting installations.

DB

The Internet will help achieve "friction free capitalism" by putting buyer and seller in direct contact and providing more information to both about each other. Bill Gates

Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising. Mark Twain.

'Pigeon' will provide information, up to date views, articles and opinions regarding all elements of bird pest control. I have something small that I want to make large (I know what your thinking) and it starts now – straight after breakfast tomorrow morning.

DB