by Fran Prisco
Roofs have become the favorite roosting and nesting spot of pest birds in both cities and suburbs across the nation. Each year thousands are spent to cleanup and repair the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls and starlings to rooftops. It can often be quite a challenge to get rid of birds from roof areas such as the roof edge, parapet wall and rooftop A.C. Units. The best way to get rid of birds is to use some sort of physical bird deterrent.
Before installing any bird control system it is important to do a thorough clean up of the effected area. Be sure all of the debris and droppings left behind by the pest birds is cleaned. It is best to power wash or spray bird droppings down and remove them while wet. Dried bird droppings can cause dust which when breathed in may carry any of 60 plus communicable diseases. Bird Droppings are also acidic and can quickly erode building and roofing materials, not to mention that they are a safety hazard on sidewalks, causing slip and fall accidents.
Bird Deterrents for Roofs
Bird Spikes:
When large birds like pigeons and gulls are landing and roosting on roof edges, peaks and parapet walls, the bird spike is the most affordable and effective bird deterrent. Bird spikes come in plastic or stainless steel. Bird spikes are easily installed using adhesive, screws or tie downs. When installing spikes on peaked roofs, it is best to put them on the roof edges and peaks, as that is where the birds will land first before exploring the rest of the roof.
Electric Bird Tracks:
Electric bird deterrent tracks are ideal for use on roof edges and parapet walls. The flat tracks are easy to install with adhesive and will work with all types of bird species. The electric shock systems give birds a mild jolt when they make contact with the track, changing the birds landing and roosting behaviors. The best electric bird deterrents are those that are low profile and will not allow water to dam around them. Using a direct plug in charger or a solar charger charges these systems. Once installed, the electric tracks are easy to maintain and virtually invisible.
Bird Spiders:
When large birds are landing, roosting or nesting on rooftop A.C. units or ventilation systems, the bird spider is an ideal bird deterrent to use. The bird spider has eight “arms” that wiggle in the breeze causing birds to land in other areas. The bird spiders come in different diameters; from 2 foot to 8 foot in size. Screws or adhesive easily installs them. The bird spider is an effective method to get rid of birds on rooftops.
