| Before we talk about the bird spike, we should | | | | attracted to abandoned nests, which can create a |
| probably acquaint ourselves with the three most | | | | health hazard. Once again, the bird spike has been |
| common "large" pest birds these devices are | | | | successfully used to deter gulls of all types. Gulls |
| designed to deter. | | | | simply can't land and refuse to nest on chimney |
| Ubiquitous Feral Pigeons | | | | pots, gutters, dormers and other similar areas. |
| Leading the pack of pest birds is the common | | | | "Caw-Caw" Crows by the Thousands |
| pigeon. A transplant from Europe, the pigeon can | | | | Crows can gather in huge numbers called roosts. |
| now be found throughout the U.S. in huge | | | | And roosts can range from under one hundred |
| numbers. They live for up to 15 years and have | | | | birds to huge gatherings that number in the |
| become quite a nuisance around parks, buildings, | | | | hundreds of thousands. Imagine the caw-cawing |
| and farmyards, feeding mostly on grain, garbage | | | | that goes in a roost that size--makes Alfred |
| and handouts. Aside from being a nuisance and | | | | Hitchcock's famous "Birds" gatherings look like two |
| defacing property, pigeons also pose a serious | | | | love birds in a cage. The proliferation of crows in |
| health hazard. They can carry a disturbing variety | | | | cities can be attributed to three main factors: |
| of serious diseases (as many as 60), including | | | | laws prohibiting the discharge of guns in cities; the |
| histoplasmosis (a lung disease that can be fatal), | | | | absence of Great Horned Owls, which pose the |
| cryptococcosis (caused by a fungus that causes | | | | largest danger to adult crows; and a city's artificial |
| fever, headache, or mental instability) and | | | | light, which helps crows spot and avoid owls. Here, |
| psittacosis (contracted by inhaling fungal spores to | | | | the bird spike has shown itself to be an effective |
| produce fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches). | | | | deterrent that prevents crows from landing. |
| What's more, pigeons can carry parasites (like | | | | So What Exactly is a Bird Spike? |
| fleas and mites) that live on their bodies or grow | | | | To counteract the invasion of pest birds, stands |
| in their droppings. Not to worry, the bird spike has | | | | the noble Bird Spike. Among the most effective |
| proven to be an effective deterrent against | | | | of physical bird deterrents, the bird spike has |
| pigeons. | | | | proven its worth in keeping pest birds from |
| Loud, Guano-Splatting Seagulls | | | | landing and roosting on buildings, homes, rooftops, |
| Seagulls are large birds with wide wingspans up to | | | | parapet walls, I-beams, virtually any flat |
| 85cm (33.5 inches). Three species are classified as | | | | surface. The short spike strips are easy to install |
| pests: There's the Herring Gull with pale grey back | | | | and maintain. Best of all, these physical bird |
| and wings, black-and-white wing tips, and a red | | | | deterrents are permanent and, once installed, |
| spot on its yellow bill; the Lesser Black-backed Gull | | | | virtually invisible and won't detract from a building's |
| with grey or dark grey back and wings and | | | | aesthetics. |
| yellow or orange legs; and the Great Black-backed | | | | Some spikes are so effective, they are actually |
| Gull with black back and wings, and pink legs. | | | | recommended by architects, contractors and |
| Thanks to people feeding them, more seagulls are | | | | government agencies. Their long spikes may look |
| invading seaside towns and similar coastal areas to | | | | menacing, but bird spikes are harmless to pigeons |
| nest. They can build large nests from straw, | | | | and other birds. Spike strips are available with |
| grass, twigs, paper and any other material, and | | | | either stainless steel spikes (useful in areas where |
| they will return to established breeding sites. Gulls | | | | conductivity is not a problem) or with rigid |
| will often move into an area in large colonies. | | | | U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. |
| Gulls can be quite a nuisance for a number of | | | | The spike strips are typically available in 3”, |
| reasons. They are very noisy and their droppings | | | | 5” and 8” widths and two-foot sections. |
| can be quite messy and serve as a breeding | | | | They can be glued down, nailed or screwed into |
| ground for disease. They also damage roofs by | | | | any surface for fast installation. And they are |
| picking at roofing materials and by blocking | | | | practically invisible when installed properly. Some |
| gutters with their nests. They have been known | | | | spike strips have a flexible base so they can be |
| to swoop down on people and animals. Their | | | | easily installed on curved surfaces. |
| nesting materials can block gas flues, which can be | | | | One thing about plastic bird spikes. The come in |
| potentially fatal if gas fumes can't be properly | | | | 3", 5" and 7" widths, and are as tough as their |
| vented. Finally, mites and other insects are | | | | steel counterparts--at just half the cost. |