Product Selection Guide
When it comes to effective bird control, there are several factors to consider when deciding which product(s) to use:
Type of pest bird
Daytime or nighttime infestation
Bird pressure and type of activity
Available shelter
Available food- and water sources
Let us briefly look into each of these factors:
1) Type of pest bird
Not all products work on all species.
The Eagle Eye, Pro-Peller, and the Bird Breezer Flash unit work on the eyesight of the birds and the colour of the units are specific to the species due to variations in their vision and instinctive danger associations.
As a rule of thumb, we use Silver & Gold units to deter land birds and Red units to deter marine birds.
Some bird species are simply more stubborn than others and we found reduced results when using only the Eagle Eye & Pro-Peller system on Starlings, Sparrows, and Mousebirds.
The Eagle Eye- and Propeller units should also not be used as a stand-alone system to get rid of large and settled colonies of birds. The saying “Safety in numbers” is very applicable in these cases and added bird proofing techniques must be used.
Bird Spikes should only be used on pigeons and larger birds (smaller birds may be able to perch and nest inside the spikes).
Bird Wire should only be used on seagulls and smaller birds (larger birds will damage the wire when landing).
Optical Bird Wax should only be used on pigeons and smaller birds (larger birds may dislodge/spread the wax upon landing).
2) Daytime or nighttime infestation
The Eagle Eye-, Pro-Peller- and Bird Breezer units require direct sunlight to be effective, so only use these products for daytime infestation.
Physical bird proofing products are recommended for nighttime infestation and nesting birds:
-Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
-Bird Netting
-Bird Wire
-Bird Wire Track
-Optical Bird Wax
-Mesh Closures
3) Bird Pressure and type of activity
Bird Pressure is a term used to describe the severity of the infestation:
Light pressure: Only a small number of birds are perching in the area for short times during the day.
Medium pressure: Birds are perching in the area for longer durations and there is starting to be a routine to their presence.
High pressure: Not only are birds perching in the area, but they are also roosting (sleeping) and nesting. Once these areas are identified as popular shelters, you will notice an increase in bird numbers. These areas will also be mapped as future breeding sites for the next generations of birds.
Bird activity is mostly defined by 3 terms:
Perching: This is when the birds are landing in the area to rest for a while or to look for possible food sources.
Roosting: When birds are sleeping in the area. This is mostly due to the shelter provided by certain structures or the orientation of the building that protects them from prevalent winds.
Nesting: When the birds are breeding in the area. Nesting birds are extremely stubborn and will attempt to return season after season.
The Eagle Eye system alone will not be effective if there are any active nests in the area.
Light Pressure strategies: The Eagle Eye, Pro-Peller, and/or Bird Breezer units should work as a stand-alone system.
Medium Pressure strategies: Eagle Eye, Pro-Peller, and/or Bird Breezer with complementing bird proofing products (Optical bird Wax, Bird Spikes, Bird Skip, Bird Wire) at the favourite perching areas.
High Pressure strategies: Physical bird proofing will be the most important strategy. Close down any sheltered areas with Bird Netting or Galvanized Mesh.
Install Bird Spikes/Bird Wire at the favourite areas and remove all nests (if allowed). The Bird Skip is also a good product to use in high pressure infestations.
Once these areas have been deemed inaccessible, one may install the Eagle Eye system to prevent new birds from entering the area to scout for a future home.
4) Available Shelter
Houses, apartments, warehouses, factories, and skyscrapers all form part of the urban jungle and these structures often provide far better shelter for birds than their natural habitat.
Deforestation has also contributed to birds seeking new homes for themselves and future generations.
Popular shelter areas include solar panel installations, roof overhangs, access to ceilings, inside chimneys, beams under canopies, and balconies.
Solar panel strategies: Close down the perimeter of the solar panel installation to prevent birds from settling under the panels.
This is done with galvanized mesh and special solar panel clips to avoid the need to drill into the panels.
The Bird Skip is ideal to use when birds are perching on top of the solar panels.
Bird droppings can drastically reduce the power output of panels, so it is essential to keep them clean.
The Bird Skip is clamped onto the solar panel frames, so no drilling into the panels is necessary.
Access to ceilings is a major problem, especially with starlings during their breeding season. Starlings can squeeze their way through small openings and build their nests inside your ceiling.
Not only do they keep you awake at night but their nests are hotspots for lice activity as well.
Entry points should be closed with galvanized mesh fastened with screws to prevent stubborn birds from pulling the mesh out with their beaks.
Roof overhangs can be closed down with bird netting/ galvanized mesh or Bird Spikes and Optical Bird Wax may be used to prevent birds from entering these areas.
Birds often gain access to the building through open chimneys.
These openings can be closed off with galvanized mesh in order to keep the birds out, but still maintaining the function of the chimney.
Beams under canopies are very popular roosting and nesting areas for all kinds of birds.
We see this mostly at large warehouse buildings at delivery bays. Horizontal (ceiling) Bird Netting is the most effective solution for these areas as it denies the birds access to all the beams.
Bird Spikes and Optical Bird Wax can also be considered for smaller canopies with fewer beams.
Balconies, especially not regularly frequented balconies, are also very popular areas for birds to roost and even nest.
Birds tend to land on the balcony railings before moving to the rest of the balcony.
Bird Wire is a very effective solution for railings and no drilling into the structure is needed.
The Extreme Sound unit can be used if pigeons are roosting on the balcony floor and furniture.
5) Available food- and water sources
A bird’s instinct to find food and water is greater than its fear of any predators.
It is therefore very important to close off any easily accessible food- and water sources in order for the Eagle Eye system to be effective.
Bird Netting is a good solution to close off these attractions before installing the Eagle Eye system to protect the rest of the building.
The Eagle Eye system will not be effective if people are feeding the birds on-site or even at neighbouring homes.