What Are the Best Bird Deterrents?

Birds are wonderful animals, but they can often cause problems if they end up roosting in areas where they shouldn’t —it can create hazards for both the birds and people.

At Pest Defence, we’re trusted experts for Essex, London and beyond when it comes to deterring birds from properties without causing them harm. This month, we wanted to give you a guide to the best bird deterrents and bird control methods so that you can understand the options available to you.

Why might you need to deter birds?

Birds that make your building their home or frequent the area in large numbers can create a variety of issues. The following are some common reasons you might want to deter birds from your site:

• Health risks – Since some birds carry diseases and create unsanitary conditions through the accumulation of their droppings, they pose a health risk to the public in general.
• Property damage – Nesting and droppings can, over time, damage your building. From just looking unsightly to having a corrosive impact, it’s both off-putting and costly.
• Safety risks – Droppings in any walkway create an immediate slip hazard, while nesting and feathers can block gutters, putting your site at risk of flooding in unexpected places.
• Hygiene – If you operate an establishment in the food, retail or hospitality industry, the site of birds and droppings leads to questions about hygiene. Food safety standards are fundamental, so keeping birds away will be a priority here.

The best bird deterrents

The good news is that it’s never been easier to deter birds from your site in a non-lethal manner. Here are just some of the options available depending on the nature of your site and the species of bird you’re experiencing issues with:

Bird netting

Suitable for covering large areas, especially any remote roof areas and balconies. The netting is durable and prevents birds from landing in any high-up recesses of your building, making it less attractive to them as a place to stay. Ideal for warehouses, building facades and agricultural buildings.

Bird spikes

Bird spikes can be applied to ledges and areas where birds may commonly perch, preventing them from landing. This is a discreet option for offices, shops and even residential properties.

Birds of prey/hawking

The use of trained birds of prey to naturally deter birds is a humane way to keep your site free of gulls and pigeons, especially for large open spaces such as airports, farms and sports sites.

Bird wire

Tensioned bird wire over certain areas of a building makes landing uncomfortable for birds. Ideal if you wish to preserve the aesthetic of an office, home or historical building.

Bird repellent gel

A non-toxic gel that is applied to surfaces to provide optical and olfactory deterrence, meaning that birds will naturally avoid the area as a landing place.

You can read more about how birds of prey are used for bird control in our previous article.

Bird control services across Essex and beyond

Professional bird control services in Essex, London and beyond are available from our team. We help you to choose the right deterrent, complying with safety and ethical considerations and the needs of your business operations.

Contact us today to discuss any nuisance bird issues you’re experiencing and we’ll be happy to consult on the best route forward from our range of bird control services.