WHAT CAN WORK Whether you are a property owner or contractor, there are many bird-control products to choose from, especially online. Every web site can explain to you in great detail why their products are the best for your situation. At some point you must realize: salesmen are naturally bound by their profession to promote their line of products, whether they work for your particular situation or not. Even more frustrating may be this fact; even great products, when poorly installed or used in the wrong spot, will not work! Whom can you trust and why would you trust them? You can trust thepigeonguy.com. We have invested the money so you don’t have to. We have always guaranteed pigeons will not nest or perch behind, in, on or even nest against our applications. If pigeons figure it out, we will return at our cost to clean and fix for free. If our adjustments do not work, we will return your money, no questions asked. We recommend you include similar documentation in your transactions and contracts. *Please refer to our Clean Pictures and Dirty Pictures tabs at your leisure to qualify our following recommendations.* Spikes (nesting and perching) - There are many kinds of spikes; tall, short, sharp, dull, thin, wide, plastic, metal, cheap and very expensive. The ultimate question with spikes is whether the pigeon will perch in them or nest against them and also if you can tolerate the appearance on your property. We try not to use spikes unless we absolutely have to but when we do, we maximize aesthetics and guarantee pigeons will not perch in them or nest against them. Perching Gels (Inactive nesting spots and some perching) – There is only one high-end gel we would use. Inexpensive gels are aesthetic nightmares that prove surprisingly ineffective and very short term. High-end perching gel is an effective tool that can be used to expedite results and to establish a need for more aggressive and permanent applications. When used incorrectly, perching gels can leave unnecessary stains and more importantly, they anchor nesting materials really well. Contrary to popular opinion, perching gels are not capable of making pigeons or similar birds stick to it. Perching gel does not burn, hurt or trap pigeons, it is more like you or I stepping on a piece of bubble gum. We would start hopping around in an attempt to dislodge the gooey mess from our feet. Results can be expected for about 6-8 months in the direct sun of Arizona and about 8-10 months in the shade. Netting and Wire Mesh (nesting and perching) – Most professionals in the know, understand that the word "exclusion" is the biggest word in pigeon control. It is an absolute no-brainer that if you can prevent a pigeon from getting to where they want to nest or perch, results are guaranteed. The biggest challenge for caring pest control operators is installing an exclusionary product that looks aesthetically acceptable, is installed so pigeons will not get behind it or nest against it, and that will last a good long time. The longest lasting exclusionary application is a galvanized wire mesh. This product is ideal for small areas with only a few nesting spots. This galvanized wire mesh product can also be installed and painted in such a way as to provide very acceptable and long term results and aesthetics. The decision for the end-user becomes more difficult when the problem area is very large and not conducive to wire mesh with its size limitations and aesthetics. Commercial size treatment areas need to seriously consider the professional installation of commercial-grade exclusionary netting often called Stealth Net. When installed correctly, this netting provides a trampoline-type, colored-netting wall, or drop-ceiling impenetrable to pigeons. This is by far the most effective, commercial, pigeon-control application available today. Keep in mind, there still needs to be words of caution: When installed incorrectly, pigeons easily nest against the net cabling and also access between the net anchors, where the attachment cable scallops away from the wall. You may find this hard to believe, but many uncaring companies do not even attach their net to a cable or use hog rings. This severely diminishes the life of the product. Installed correctly, Stealth Netting should last well beyond 10 years Electric Shock Systems (nesting and perching) – There are many types of electric shock systems. The power source can either be hard-wired or solar-powered. Both energy sources are dependable and very inexpensive in regards to energy usage. Electric shock systems have proven to be very effective, non-lethal, very low-profile and enormously expandable. There are basically 4 types of systems which can be considered, based on your particular problem. There is the homemade system where parallel wires are run by contractors through insulators. There is the prefabricated “M-Shaped” track. There is also the prefabricated flat mat. Finally, there is the more technical but very effective single wire system. The biggest contractual question in determining which system is best for you is whether the treatment area would afford pigeons the ability to perch or nest beside or against electric contact points. The homemade system is certainly the cheapest but also the most problematic in regards to maintenance and results. The contact points are galvanized wires run between evenly spaced insulators. The wires simply run parallel. Unfortunately, these often massive systems are easily shorted out with strong winds, when snagged by a branch or when tripped over by a pigeon. The “M-Shaped” track is also relatively inexpensive but also higher profile, with a track that has been known to block fecal runoff from the building and also anchor twigs exceptionally well. The flat mat electric is by far the best product on the market for treating specific surfaces with an aggressive and low-profile product. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive application on the market, reserved for the very discriminate consumer. The single wire electric shock system is an extraordinarily useful and effective product for very specific applications, especially flat tile or asphalt roofs just to name a few. This system is very reasonably priced but many contractors do not have the knowledge to offer you this product due to its technical installation. If you are considering an electric shock system, be sure you are clear that you want results on the areas you are having bid. Results means the contractor will probably bid to run more rows of electric than if you only require guaranteed work, which technically includes only products and workmanship. Pigeon Slide Technology (nesting and perching) - This versatile product provides unparalleled results and aesthetics. Installation requires special training, regardless of where the treatment area may be. If you are treating an area for nesting, the surface, corners, pitch and anchor spots are very specific or the pigeons will make you look silly. If you are treating an area for nesting and perching simultaneously, you also need to consider the material, color, measurements, pitch, anchoring product and design. This product has an unquestioned history for exceptional results and aesthetics. Spring Tight Displacement Wire (perching) – This is an exceptionally successful and instrumental product in a pigeon control arsenal when contracted for the correct application spot and installed correctly. When this product is installed 4” high in the center of a 3” ledge with no walls beside it, this product can be guaranteed 100% successful. This product used on wider ledges or against walls and when using multiple rows or levels of wires can be very effective but requires intense precision during installation. In this situation one must consider the desirability of the treatment area as pigeons will often follow the path of least resistance. Chimney Spiders (perching) - This product looks somewhat like the arms of an umbrella. There are a 4’ wide and an 8’ wide product available. There are 2 types; the better in our opinion has a base that swivels and ends that do not tangle. The product treats multiple levels of perching exceptionally well, when installed on the right surface and adjusted correctly. This product is often seen with the addition of perching gels and spikes when it is not installed correctly. Motion Sensitive Scare Devices (perching) – The benefit of motion sensitive devices is that they do not require the constant movement of still products and they produce better results. You can expect a fake predator or scare device to last about 3 days. You may get results from a motion sensitive device for about 2 weeks. There is also a concern for longevity when it comes to mechanical devices functioning in foul weather. Constant nest removal is generally a large part of this process. Trapping (broadcast applications) – When pigeons are in trees, water features or fields, it is often impossible to treat the area with products that will provide long-term results. Trapping is a desirable alternative considering the legal ramifications associated with shooting and poisoning. Trapping takes 3 weeks, at the most 4. If a contractor tells you they charge by the month, they are not looking out for your best interests. You should also be concerned if they are not suggesting any preventative measures. Sonic and Ultra Sonic (broadcast applications) – Pigeons are relatively unaffected by even the most aggressive of either of these devices. In a day when barking dogs drive neighbors crazy, sonic devices and their necessary screeching are simply not welcome. The ultra sonic device can create such havoc with you and your neighbor’s animals that you might prefer the pigeons. We understand the more powerful of these devices might even affect hearing aids and pacemakers. The maintenance on these products generally includes ongoing sound changes and nest removal in addition to scattered and ongoing scare device movement. Chemicals (broadcast applications) – We have seen some impressive results with our food-safe and biodegradable chemical applications. The challenges of toxicity to fish and corrosiveness have finally been resolved. If you have a large broadcast treatment area you would like to talk to us about please contact us immediately. broadcastapplications@thepigeonguy.com
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