USA Bird Controls

by Alex A. Kecskes

Tired of hosing off bird droppings from your car/SUV/camper or boat? Have you run out of car soap in scrubbing off bird poop? Unless you’ve implemented effective bird control measures to keep pest birds off your vehicles and boat, these acidic droppings will eat into the paint and cause permanent damage. So you’re more or less stuck whipping out your hose and sponges every day, cleaning off those smelly droppings—droppings that can carry any of 60 known diseases.

Bird droppings damage paint when the cooling paint lacquer contracts and hardens around their deposits. When exposed to sunlight, bird droppings dry and harden. At the same time, paint lacquer heats up in sunlight, causing it to soften and expand. When the paint lacquer cools down at night, it contracts and hardens around bird droppings. Left for any length of time, the droppings will eventually etch the paint.

Some vehicle and boat owners have resorted to canvas covers. But these, too, must be cleaned often or the bird droppings will harden, weaken the fabric and cause it to rip and tear. Vehicle covers, especially boat covers, are not cheap.

Fortunately, there are a number of bird deterrents you can use to keep pest birds off your vehicles and boats parked in your driveway. The two most popular bird control measures include:

Sonic Bird Deterrents

While they may not have raebbit ears, birds have very acute hearing. They’re always on the alert for a fellow bird in distress or the threatening shriek of an approaching predator. Sonic Bird Deterrents deliver the message, broadcasting recorded distress and predator calls that make birds far too nervous to stay around your driveway. The sounds they emit resemble normal bird sounds to humans, so you don’t have to worry about neighbors complaining or your dog or car rushing for cover. The best sonic deterrents will be versatile enough to emit a number of sounds. One sonic bird deterrent currently available can generate distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds. It’s basically “dial sound” and forget about pest birds. Look for sonic deterrents that feature a built-in speaker, a volume control, and one that lets you program it to turn on or off at night.

Bird Scare Deterrents

If you’re on a budget, these versatile bird deterrents will keep pest birds away from your vehicle or boat. They include inflatable balloons--covered with predator eyes—that sway in the breeze to convince pest birds there’s a big predator just aching to eat them. Scare eye diverters are similar to balloons in that they feature a big eye that spooks birds even thinking about landing on your car or boat. For best effect, you would typically hang these deterrents from your garage (for cars/SUVs), or tied to your covered boat or camper. Just make sure you move them about from time to time or birds will get wise to them.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Birds have cost airlines big money in aircraft damage, downtime and even downed aircraft. The statistics are staggering and point to the need for aggressive bird control measures.

During a 19-year period from 1990 to 2008, 89,727 strikes were reported to the FAA across the United States. California, Texas, Florida, and New York suffered the most bird strikes (7,442, 5,963, 5,571 and 4,732, respectively). Twenty-one other states each reported more than 1,000 bird strikes.

While other wildlife sometimes contributed to aircraft mishaps, birds were involved in 97.4 percent of the reported strikes. Most bird strikes occurred between July and October and 62 percent occurred during the day. A total of 60 percent occurred during an aircraft's landing, and 37 percent occurred during takeoff and climb. About 59 percent of the bird strikes occurred when the aircraft was at a height of 100 feet or less. Nearly 72 percent occurred at 500 feet or less and 92 percent occurred at or below 3,000 feet. Bird control measures could have prevented many of the strikes.

A total of 59,047 bird strikes did not damage the aircraft; while 5,112 aircraft suffered minor damage; 2,456 suffered substantial damage; and 24 aircraft were destroyed as a result of the strike. The aircraft components most struck by birds were the nose/radome, windshield, engine, wing/rotor, and fuselage. Aircraft engines were most frequently damaged by bird strikes.

For the 19-year period, five of the strikes resulting in seven fatalities involved unidentified species of birds. American white pelicans, Canada geese, white-tailed deer and brown-pelicans were responsible for nine fatalities. Ducks and geese caused 40 strikes, injuring 45 humans; vultures created 24 strikes, resulting in 26 injuries.

In April 2008, a Challenger 600 struck several American white pelicans at 3,000 feet during its climb from a Colorado airport. One bird penetrated the nose of the aircraft and entered the cockpit. Both engines ingested birds and one engine lost power. Fortunately, the pilot was able to return and land safely. Repair costs exceeded $2 million. Effective bird control measures might have prevented this mishap.

In December 2008, a gadwall was ingested into the #3 engine of an MD-10 at 2,700 feet during the aircraft's approach. The entire engine and cowling had to be replaced. The aircraft was out of service for over three days and repair costs exceeded $900,000.

Effective Bird Control Measures

To prevent these and other bird strike mishaps, airports need to adopt effective and humane bird control measures. The most popular are listed below:

Bird Netting

A highly effective physical barrier method of bird control, Bird Netting keeps pest birds from gathering and nesting at airport facilities. For best results, heavy-duty bird netting should be used. The best netting is made of ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric and is UV stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. Bird netting comes in various mesh sizes to deter specific bird species.

When covering an airplane hangar with bird netting, thousands of square feet of netting and special lifts and power equipment will be required. In this case, it's best to call in a professional bird control installer. Improperly installed netting will sag and droop, creating gaps that allow pest birds to enter.

Misters and Foggers

Bird misters and foggers have been widely used at airports to achieve bird control. These devices emit an ultra fine mist of methyl anthranilate--a grape extract that naturally occurs in concord grapes--to disperse and discourage pest birds from gathering around tarmacs and runways. Recognized by the FDA as a safe substance, the chemical can be used to deter a wide range of pest birds, including, sparrows, pigeons, starlings, crows, blackbirds and geese. The chemical works by irritating the trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes of birds when they fly through it. One whiff and they're gone.

Bird Slopes

Bird Slopes achieve bird control by denying pest birds a landing zone. And if they can't land, they won't stay. Birds simply slide off these angled, slippery PVC panels no matter how many times they try to "get a grip." Suitable for eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree areas where pest birds tend to nest and roost, the panels install easily using glue, nails or screws. Bird slopes even come in different colors to blend in with an airport's décor.

Electric Tracks

For on-the-spot bird control, Electric Track bird repellers work quite well as a bird control measure. Mount them on ledges, rooftops, in and around airport structures and birds will disappear from those areas. They work by delivering a harmless electric shock that quickly discourages pest birds. The best electric tracks feature a low-profile flow-through design to keep water from damming up around them.

Bird Gels

This is another localized bird control measure that will keep pest birds off towers and other airport structures. Bird Gels are easy to apply using a standard caulking gun. The gel stays sticky and tacky for about six months--a surface birds hate to set foot on. Safe for birds (except swallows), gels are an ideal bird deterrent for use on ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, conduit, pipes, and most flat or curved surfaces.

Bird Sonic Devices

Like most creatures, birds feel very uncomfortable when they hear the sounds of predators nearby. Bird Sonic devices exploit this fear to the max, broadcasting a variety of predator calls and birds in distress over a wide area. Some devices emit the sound of Peregrine falcons defending their territory (a pigeon's natural enemy). Another sonic device aimed at starlings and seagulls blasts the sounds of predator hawks screeching and gulls under attack. One versatile device emits distress and predator calls for as many as 22 types of birds. In some cases, the sounds are amplified and broadcast through special generating units, covering up to 40 acres.  These sonic units, used in open areas, are best used with other methods of bird control such as the misting devices.

Plastic bird spikes

Plastic bird spikes are a highly effective method of bird control for use around airports. The chief advantage they have over stainless steel spikes is that they are non-conductive and won't interfere with EM transmissions. This means they can be used where high frequency transmissions like radar and other flight transmissions are being generated.

Installed on air-traffic control towers, hangars and maintenance bays, plastic bird spikes won't allow pest birds to land. They are especially effective in preventing large pest birds from landing on flat or curved surfaces. Birds like pigeons, crows, gulls, vultures and raptors.

Bird Strike Statistics Courtesy of U. S. Department Of Transportation, FAA Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the U.S. 1990–2008 U. S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Across the country, thousands of birds will often surround an area for months at a time. The noise, smell and contamination of parks, fields and structures can create a huge problem. Clean-up efforts can be costly, not to mention repairing the damage pest birds can create. Unlike some cities in Europe where birds are tolerated as part of the urban landscape, USA bird control strategies seek to limit bird invasions. In fact, many on this side of the pond have sought to enforce bird control using BB guns, poisons or other lethal culling methods. These methods are frowned upon by professional bird control experts who say that they only offer temporary relief. For the minute these measures are put aside, birds will start to return en masse to wreak havoc once again.

Experts in USA bird control insist there are much more effective bird deterrent measures one can use to keep pest birds away from parks and property. Some of these devices and methods are discussed below.
Visual Bird Deterrents

These bird scare deterrents include reflective foil banners, reflective strips and blow-up balloons that make pest birds feel threatened and uncomfortable. Strips and banners will crackle in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight, which makes birds feel very nervous. Balloons emblazoned with large predator eyes are intimidating as well, convincing pest birds that predators are lurking and just waiting to attack. These devices are widely used by USA bird control experts because they are easy to install on gazebos, overhangs, patios, eaves, and other open areas where birds often nest and roost.

Bird Spiders

Creating alarm and distraction with flagellating arms that whip around in the breeze is the Bird Spider. These devices come with various length spider arms to deter birds of different sizes. Spiders are easy to set up and virtually maintenance free. They can be used on tabletops, awnings, patio covers, and canvas boat covers--just about any flat surface where pest birds like to land.

Bird Spikes

The ubiquitous Bird Spike, while appearing lethal at first glance, is actually quite humane and surprisingly effective as a bird deterrent. Bird spikes simply won't allow pest birds to land anywhere near them, which is why they have been widely used on rooftops, awnings, gutters, girders, signs and ledges--the list goes on and on. The bird spike is one of the most effective devices used by USA bird control professionals. The spiked strips come with steel or rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. You can also get the Mega Spike (with long 7-inch spikes) to deter big birds like gulls, cormorants, vultures and raptors. Finally, there's the Gutter Spike, which is specially designed to keep birds out of rain gutters.

Bird Slope

Once they land, even birds can't defy gravity. Which is what makes Bird Slopes so effective as a bird deterrent. The steep-angled PVC panels keep pest birds from getting a solid footing, so any attempt to land is an almost comic act of "squirrel cage" antics that eventually forces birds to give up and leave. The panels are easily installed on most any surface using screws or glue. Widely used as a USA bird control measure, the best bird slopes are made of UV- stabilized polycarbonate to last longer. Some panels even come in various colors to match the exterior color palette of their surroundings.

Bird Gels

This sticky goo bugs the heck out of birds. The reason is, Bird Gels tug at birds' feet with every step they take, making them feel really uneasy. Gels are easily applied with a standard caulking gun and when the goo sets, it never quite dries, leaving an icky, tacky surface that lasts for about six months. Ideal for flat or curved surfaces like parapet walls, conduit, pipes, ledges, and I-beams, Bird Gels are almost invisible as a bird deterrent.

Bird Netting

Often used to exclude pest birds from specific areas, Bird Netting is ideal for deterring pest birds from atriums, orchards, vineyards, warehouses, airport hangers and similar areas. Bird Netting comes in various mesh sizes--like 3/4-, 1-1/8- and 2-inch--to control specific bird sizes. Netting is harmless to birds and there are various types that are suitable for specific applications. There's agricultural netting to keep birds off fruit trees and crops, and heavy-duty netting to deny pest birds access to buildings and other structures. USA bird control experts advise getting Premium Bird Netting, which is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof.

Electric Tracks

These devices impart a harmless, mild electric jolt to birds the second they land on them. Ideal for ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, I-beams, eaves and signs, Electric Tracks are easy to install on any flat or curved surface. They present an ideal deterrent for pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and similar pest birds. One manufacturer makes a low-profile, electrical track system that it measures just 1/4-inch at its highest point, and comes in four colors--grey, stone, black and terracotta. It's almost invisible to anyone looking up from the ground. USA bird control experts prefer tracks that feature a flow-thru design to prevent water from damming up on rooftops.

Solar Bird Repellers

Using the power of the sun to deter pest birds is quite the novel idea. Now it's more than a concept with the Solar Powered Bird Repeller. These clever devices have spinning arms that whip birds away and convince others that the area they protect is a no-fly zone. Ideal for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, Solar Bird Repellers prevent birds from landing on signs, billboards, roofs, and similar surfaces.

The Scarecrow

Ideal for yards, parks, pools, ponds and virtually any outdoor areas, Scarecrows deliver a stunning blast of water the second a bird approaches its active radius of detection. The devices cover approximately 1,200 square feet with a stream that reaches out 35 feet and 45 feet wide. USA bird control pros like these because they deliver over 1,000 "firings"--on one 9-volt battery. For added versatility, Scarecrows can be easily fine tuned to adjust both their sensitivity and coverage distance.