Spikes are for the birds, well not always…

By: Angelo J. Tomiselli Jr. - ​Angelo's Pest Management

Remember those high school football games when the cheerleaders started a chant and the crowd finished it? That same call-and-response habit seems to have made its way into the pest control industry: when someone says “birds,” the automatic response is often “spikes.” Bird spikes have become the default answer.

Too often, that is where the conversation ends. Spikes are installed, and a few weeks or months later, birds are nesting inside the spikes themselves. Bird control has changed significantly over the past 20 years, moving beyond physical barriers to sensory-based strategies that account for how birds perceive their environment.
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When addressing a bird issue, several factors should be considered: the bird species, whether the area is used for nesting, how long the birds have been present, the size of the flock, and which methods can solve the problem while preserving the appearance of the structure.

Sight, sound, and smell can all be used to deter birds from a structure. The key to effective bird control is correctly identifying the species involved. Once the species is known, you can evaluate how long the birds have been there and why they are returning. This is known as bird pressure: how determined the birds are to come back to that location.

If birds are only roosting for a short time, it may not take much to move them along. But if they have been present for an extended period, the flock has grown, or nesting has begun, dispersing them will require a more thorough and complete program.

Aesthetics is also an important part of any bird control program. Removing the birds is essential because droppings can carry disease and quickly damage the appearance of a building, home, or surrounding area. However, solving the problem does not have to come at the expense of the structure’s appearance. Professionals have many tools available to remove birds while maintaining a clean, attractive look.

Bird deterrents are not intended to harm birds. They are designed to make an area uncomfortable and remove the advantages it offers. Spikes can be effective in certain situations, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Spikes may deter pigeons and other larger birds by creating an uneven landing surface, not by injuring them. However, when spikes are used in nesting areas, they can sometimes create an opportunity instead of a deterrent for smaller bird species. Once birds begin nesting, it is much harder to move them from that location.  Also, if birds can land next to the spikes they will, as is the case with birds on a roof.  They see the spikes and can land next to where they are and then just walk to the location they wish to roost or nest.

Products such as optical gel discs deter birds through sight, smell, and touch. Birds perceive the gel as fire and avoid the area, the citronella scent is unpleasant to them, and the sticky surface makes landing uncomfortable. Because these discs are low profile, they can be used in areas where birds need to be removed without taking away from the appearance of a sign, clubhouse, or other highly visible location.

Flex track is another low-profile deterrent. It consists of a rubber track with a metal strip running through the center, which is connected to a solar charger. When birds attempt to land, they receive a mild shock that does not harm them but encourages them to fly away. This is why understanding bird behavior is very important. Taking away the birds prime landing area, you can protect the entire roof just by addressing their inclination to land at the highest point of a structure.  The result, birds gone and the buildings appearance preserved

Starlings, for example, are highly capable and difficult to deter. They are agile and resourceful enough to overcome some deterrent methods, such as netting, if they are determined to remain in an area. Understanding the species and its behavior helps determine which method to use. In some cases, it isn’t doing anything to the surface but providing a visual deterrent, 

​Effective bird control starts with understanding the bird, the site, and the level of pressure involved. Spikes still have their place, but they are only one tool among many. By matching the deterrent to the species, behavior, and setting, professionals can solve bird problems more effectively while protecting both the structure and its appearance.