Public Pools & Resorts Opt for Bird Control

by Alex A. Kecskes
With the summer upon us, pool-equipped resorts and public pool facilities managers are once again preparing for the huge influx of swimmers and sunbathers. Most have learned that without effective bird control measures, their beautiful facilities will fall victim to an invasion of gulls, pigeons and other feathered pests. These birds are drawn to the easy meals brought out and often left unattended by guests. And what these pest birds leave in their wake are disease-carrying droppings in and around the pool, on tables and chairs, umbrellas, and on towels and other personal items. Not exactly great PR for the facility.

Adding to these woes, pool operators whose facilities have been invaded by pest birds must check the nitrate levels--far more than normal--to ensure bird droppings have not contaminated the pool. The last thing guests and visitors want to hear is that the pool has been shut down for several days. And the last thing facilities managers want to get is a huge bill for draining and cleaning a pool.

The temptation is to resort to bird poisons. Unfortunately, many birds are protected by federal laws under the "Migratory Bird Act of 1918," as well as by many state laws. It's also illegal to destroy, relocate or disrupt most bird nests or their eggs. The only exceptions are non-native species like the House Sparrow, European starling, and the pigeon.

The smart move is to invest in some bird control measures. A few of the more effective and humane devices are outlined below.
Bird Sonic Systems

One way to deter pest birds is to exploit their sensitive hearing. And few things are better at doing that than today's Sonic Bird Deterrents. These systems broadcast predator and distress calls that raise a big ALARM flag for any bird. For pigeons that alarm is the sound of Peregrine falcons defending their territory. Gulls, on the other hand, hate to hear other gulls in distress or the screeching of predator hawks. These sounds won't bother people, but they are nerve wracking to birds. The best sonic bird control devices can be set up to broadcast distress and predator calls 24/7. One ingenious and highly versatile system is capable of broadcasting distress and predator calls for as many as 22 different birds. Other systems let you add speakers to broaden the coverage area if needed. You can even get systems that will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds.

Bird Spikes

Pest birds often perch on roofs, cabanas, patio covers or awnings as a staging zone to dive bomb your pool area. Installing Bird Control Spikes on these structures will deny them these perches. Ideal for use against pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, bird spikes come in either rigid, U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. (The poly spikes cost less, but will do the job nicely). Steel spikes are more durable and typically come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths. Some steel spikes have a non-reflective metal finish that makes them far less noticeable. The plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and you can use them near antenna arrays, since there are no EM interference problems with plastic.

Bird spikes come in a variety of colors, too--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes are easy to install. One manufacturer offers a no-gap spike that's easy to mount on curved surfaces. And while they look very intimidating, they're harmless to birds and people. In fact, bird spikes have been approved as a bird control measure by a number of humane groups worldwide--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Solar Powered Bird Repellers

Chances are that if you wave something at a bird, it will leave. Of course, as soon as you leave, they'll come back. That's where the Solar Powered Bird Repeller comes in. Harmless to birds, this handy bird control device has long blades that turn continuously at 30 RPM to discourage birds from landing near your pool area. Perfect for seagulls, pigeons, and crows, some bird repellers have adjustable “arms” that expand to cover wider sweeps. The best repellers save the sun's converted electrical energy and draw on it to power the motor at night or on overcast days.

Bird Spiders

You can easily place these versatile bird control devices just about anywhere pest birds like to flock--on roofs, patios, cabanas, awnings, and gazebos. Called Bird Spiders, they feature spindly arms that whip about in the breeze to make pest birds like pigeons, seagulls, and larger birds really nervous. Bird spiders come in several arm lengths, usually 2-, 4- and 8-foot diameter lengths to cover large areas and to deter various bird types.

Better bird spiders have a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base. One manufacturer offers a Bird Control Spider that comes pre-assembled. Most Bird Spiders come standard with a glue-on base, so it can be glued down permanently to flat most surfaces. Bird Spiders are also available with a removable sand bag base.

Bird Scare Visual Deterrents

Bird Control Scare Deterrents create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that keeps pest birds away from pools and other restricted areas. There's lots of flexibility here. You can go with reflective foils that crackle in the breeze, shiny tape banners that crinkle in the wind, and balloons with huge predator eyes that bob and weave. All are designed to make pest birds really feel really uncomfortable. You can easily attach these deterrents virtually anywhere. In the case of balloons, you can also fill them partially with water and let them skim the surface after closing hours to keep pest birds away. You'll need to swap out these deterrents from time to time to keep birds from getting accustomed to them.