How Pigeons Can Damage Commercial Buildings

I have been working with wildlife removal + and with Wildlife Busters for couple of years. Working with them have thought me a great deal about pigeons.

Pigeon barriers can fall into a number of groups to act as a deterrent to avoid perching of these birds. They are:  anti-perching devices can be built and anti-entry devices. Anti-perching devices are the most commonly used method for protecting commercial building surfaces from damage caused by the droppings of pigeons. These devices work by preventing pigeons from landing and roosting, and therefore from contaminating certain areas. There are three main forms; anti-perching wire (sprung wire), anti-perching spikes and anti-perching gel.

Anti-perching wire(sprung wire) is a popular used device. This is a wire consisting of nylon-coated stainless steel with a diameter that is too small for either pigeons or gulls to grip. The wires are attached by tension springs to either horizontal or vertical posts. The springs cause the wire to ‘bounce’ when birds try to land on them, therefore disorienting the bird and subsequently putting them off landing in that particular site. The wires are relatively low in visibility and are therefore more suitable for the esthetics of buildings.  The components of the deterrent are rustproof and therefore do not create rust marks on the building surface, and the plugs into which the posts are fitted ensure that rainwater does not penetrate and later damage the masonry.

Anti-perching spikes deter pigeons from landing in certain areas. Spikes are used on leading edges of sills and ledges. Pigeons tend to sit on the edges of these surfaces in order to look for food and at the same time foul the face of the building. If they are unable to do so they will only perch in this area for a number of seconds, realize they cannot get a comfortable view for seeking out food and therefore fly away. These spikes are glued to the surface using a silicone-based adhesive. The glue does not cause damage to the building surface, which it does not penetrate, and it can be completely removed at a later date if required, leaving the surface completely intact.

Anti-perching gel consists of a gel sealed with a skinning solution. The gel never sets hard. When a bird lands on the gel its feet break through the skin and onto the sticky polybutylene gel underneath. The pigeon then flies off with some of the gel attached to its feet. As the birds do not have the means to remove it, the gel will remain stuck to the bird’s feet for a while and create an uncomfortable feeling. The unpleasant experience is mindset in the pigeon and deters pigeons from subsequently landing on any surface that looks like gel. As the gel is very difficult to see once installed, it has little impact on the aesthetics of a building. It also has a very short lifespan because dust and debris soon get stuck to it and absorbed into the surface. In order to maintain its effectiveness it should be removed and re-applied annually.

ANTI-ENTRY DEVICES

Exclusion netting is best suited for keeping pigeons out of central courtyard areas, and is also deployed as a screening device for features such as balconies, windows, pipe work and air conditioning units.

The net’s lifespan may be expected to be ten years or more, depending on the degree of exposure, as it is treated with a UV-resistant coating. In a sheltered location, some nets can last as long as 20 years. Mesh sizes vary with  50mm-mesh nets for pigeons.

Once the netting has been installed it is relatively unnoticeable does not  reduce the light reaching any windows behind it. It must be maintained regularly to keep it clear of windblown leaves and rubbish, which can create a real eyesore. An annual inspection is usually sufficient. The netting excludes the birds from the premises’ openings and they have to look elsewhere for nesting and roosting opportunities.

If you feel you don’t want to tackle this task personally, you can use a wildlife removal company  professional to rid these creatures from commercial or residential locations. You should make sure the pigeon removal organization uses humane techniques, as well as, moves the captured creatures to a sanctuary or other less harmful location when possible. Exclusion work should be performed after the creature is removed to avoid further incidences of their destruction